Britain, France, Germany, the USSR and USA: past paper questions
Real questions on britain, france, germany, the ussr and usa
The newest 20 of 22 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9489/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[15]
Read Source A and Source D. Compare and contrast these two sources as evidence about the German takeover of the Sudetenland.
See it on the paper → - 9489/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[25]
Read all of the sources. How far do the sources support the view that Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement meant Britain would be in a stronger position when war came?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2025 · Q8b[20]
‘Relations between Germany and France were unfriendly during the 1920s.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · October/November 2024 · Q7b[20]
How far do economic factors explain the Scramble for Africa?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · October/November 2024 · Q8b[20]
‘The League was not to blame for the failure to prevent Italy’s conquest of Abyssinia.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · October/November 2023 · Q8a[10]
Explain why Britain was slow to begin rearmament in the 1930s.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · October/November 2023 · Q8b[20]
‘The Nazi–Soviet Pact was brought about by Stalin’s mistrust of Britain and France.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[10]
Explain why the Washington International Naval Conference was held in 1921–22.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2023 · Q7b[20]
‘The Treaty of Saint Germain created more problems than it solved.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2023 · Q8a[10]
Explain why Chamberlain felt that the Munich Conference had been a success.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2023 · Q8b[20]
To what extent was the ineffectiveness of the League in the 1930s a result of the rise of dictatorships?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[10]
Explain why the Japanese were unhappy with the outcome of the Washington Naval Conference in 1922.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2023 · Q7b[20]
‘The League’s difficulties in dealing with international disputes in the 1920s were caused by the absence of the USA.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · May/June 2022 · Q7b[20]
‘Imperial expansion created more cooperation than conflict between the Great Powers before 1914.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2022 · Q8a[10]
Explain why the Genoa Conference failed to improve international relations.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2022 · Q8b[20]
‘The League of Nations enjoyed considerable success in dealing with international conflict in the 1920s.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2022 · Q9b[20]
To what extent did British policy towards the USSR change during the 1930s?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · February/March 2022 · Q8b[20]
‘During the 1920s the work of the League’s agencies was more successful than its peacekeeping work.’ How far do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/13 · October/November 2021 · Q3a[15]
Read Sources B and D. Compare and contrast Sources B and D as evidence about Britain’s attitude to the Anschluss.
See it on the paper → - 9489/13 · October/November 2021 · Q3b[25]
Read all of the sources. How far do the sources support the view that the people of Austria wanted the Anschluss?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Explain why Britain was slow to begin re-armament in the 1930s. Many responses showed good awareness of a general resistance to any policies that threatened to lead to war, reflecting the popular perspective of the horrors of the fighting in the First World War. However, the most effective responses covered other issues like the effects of the Great Depression on public spending and the fear of c...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/23 Q8(a) (Cambridge)
‘The Nazi–Soviet Pact was brought about by Stalin’s mistrust of Britain and France.’ How far do you agree? There were some good responses to this question from candidates who understood that the West’s reluctance to engage in talks with the Soviet Union made Stalin suspicious of their intentions, whilst recognising that there were some advantages for Stalin in signing the pact with Germany at thi...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/23 Q8(b) (Cambridge)
Explain why the Washington International Naval Conference was held in 1921–22. Strong responses showed clear understanding of the reasons behind the Conference though some thought it was called by the League of Nations not by the USA. Most responses were able to offer some explanation of the issue of a possible naval arms race and the emergence of Japan as a growing threat to US and European inte...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9489/22 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.