Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–77: past paper questions
Real questions on civil war and reconstruction, 1861–77
The newest 20 of 117 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9489/11 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[15]
Read Source A and Source B. Compare and contrast the views in these sources about Lincoln and the issue of emancipation.
See it on the paper → - 9489/11 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[25]
Read all of the sources. How far do these sources agree that the abolition of slavery would be a positive development? Section C: International option China and Japan, 1912–45
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[10]
Explain why the Slave States wanted to maintain the constitutional balance of sectional interests.
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[20]
How far do you agree that the secession of the seven Deep South States was the reason for civil war starting in April 1861?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[20]
How effectively did the Missouri Compromise secure the balance of sectional interests?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[10]
Explain why opposition to tariffs was ineffective during the Gilded Age.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[20]
‘Theodore Roosevelt’s greatest achievements as president were laws to protect consumers.’ To what extent do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[10]
Explain why federal government did little to regulate business in the 1920s.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[10]
Explain why the Slave States were influential in Congress.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[20]
To what extent did the growth of abolitionism threaten the Union?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[10]
Explain why Progressives introduced constitutional reforms.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[20]
‘Poor quality housing was the main cause of low life expectancy in Gilded Age cities.’ To what extent do you agree?
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[10]
Explain why the conservative right found the New Deal threatening.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[20]
How prosperous were Americans in the 1920s? Section C: International option International history, 1870 –1945
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2026 · Q7a[10]
Explain why the Great White Fleet was sent on a world tour from 1907 to 1909.
See it on the paper → - 9489/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[15]
Read Source A and Source D. Compare and contrast these two sources as evidence about the Confederation.
See it on the paper → - 9489/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[15]
Read Source B and Source C. Compare and contrast these sources as evidence about events in Christiana.
See it on the paper → - 9489/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[25]
Read all of the sources. ‘People objected to the Fugitive Slave Law because they feared the reactions it would provoke.’ How far do the sources support this view? Section C: International option The League of Nations and international relations in the 1930s
See it on the paper → - 9489/12 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[15]
Read Source C and Source D. Compare and contrast the views in these two sources about slaves and slavery.
See it on the paper → - 9489/12 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[25]
Read all of the sources. How far do these sources support the view that the main reason for the growth of support for the Republican Party was its hostility to slavery? Section C: International option The League of Nations and international relations in the 1930s
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Explain why implementing the Compromise of 1850 caused problems. The best responses began with a summary of what the Compromise of 1850 involved before going on to explain how different aspects of the compromise led to growing issues. Most candidates, for example were aware of the tougher version of the Fugitive Slave Act that was part of the Compromise and the difficulties that it created in leg...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/22 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
‘By April 1861 both the North and the South wanted war.’ How far do you agree? Many candidates did not engage with the idea that the two sides might have ‘wanted’ war and wrote an account of how the war broke out, highlighting key events like the election of Lincoln and the first secessions to the issue of Fort Sumter. Some stronger reponses referred to Lincoln’s ‘House divided cannot stand’ spee...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/22 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
Explain why the 14th Amendment was passed. Several candidates were aware of exactly which of the reconstruction amendments this was and so wrote in general terms about the changes brought about for former slaves as a result of the amendments. Such responses did not really engage with the importance of the 14th amendment in granting citizenship to all ex-slaves and establishing their equality befo...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/22 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
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