This is the official 2024 A Level H2 History Paper 1. Students can use it to review key topics and practice answering source-based and essay questions in preparation for future exams.
WAR IN KOREA
You must answer Question 1.
Source A
The attack on South Korea makes it clear that communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war. It has defied the orders of the Security Council of the United Nations issued to preserve international peace and security. In these circumstances the occupation of Formosa* by Communist forces would be a direct threat to the security of the Pacific area and to United States' forces performing their lawful and necessary functions in that area. Therefore, I have ordered the 7th Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa. I have also directed that United States’ forces in the Philippines be strengthened and acceleration in the furnishing of military assistance to the forces of France and the Associated States in Indochina**. At the same time, I am calling upon the Chinese Government on Formosa to cease all air and sea operations against the mainland. The 7th Fleet will see that this is done. The determination of the future status of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations.
From a statement delivered by President Truman, 27 June 1950.
Formosa refers to what is now Taiwan.The Associated States in Indochina refers to what is now Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Source B
The events in Korea reveal with all clarity that the imperialist warmongers will not stop halfway in pursuit of their objective of regional domination. On 25 June the provocative actions of troops of the puppet government of South Korea, directed against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), unleashed military operations on the territory of Korea. In reply to this, troops of the DPRK undertook active measures and, carrying out their government’s orders, went over to the counter-offensive, transferring military operations to the territory south of the 38th parallel.
It is clear Truman has instructed the air and naval forces of the United States to give armed ‘assistance’ to the army of Syngman Rhee, the traitor to the Korean people. At the same time, the American President has instructed the American 7th Fleet to ‘prevent an attack on Formosa,’ which is a direct threat to part of the territory of China. This order signifies that the government of the United States of America has undertaken a direct act of aggression against the DPRK and against the People’s Republic of China.
From an article in Pravda, the official newspaper of the USSR, 28 June 1950.
Source C
Looking Him In The Eye
A cartoon published in the USA in 1950. The man on the right of the cartoon is Uncle Sam.
Source D
An underlying and important factor which determines our policy toward the peoples of Asia is the attitude of the Soviet Union toward Asia.
In the first place, the defeat and the disarmament of Japan has placed upon the United States the necessity of assuming the military defence of Japan in the interest of our security and in the interests of the security of the entire Pacific area. From Japan the defensive perimeter runs south to the Philippine Islands. Our defensive relations with the Philippines are contained in agreements between us. Those agreements will be loyally carried out.
So far as the military security of other areas in the Pacific is concerned, it must be clear that no person can guarantee these areas against military attack. And it must also be clear that such a guarantee is hardly sensible or necessary within the realm of practical relationships.
From a speech to the National Press Club by US Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, 12 January 1950.
Source E
The definitive abandonment of Korea as an important strategic area came when the Joint Chiefs of Staff asserted in 1947 that no military security guarantee should be extended to the Republic of Korea because such action would risk a major war in an area where Russia would have nearly all the natural advantages. As a result, the President, on 4 April 1948, approved a policy that stated: ‘The United States should not become so irrevocably involved in the Korean situation that an action taken by any faction in Korea or by any other power in Korea could be considered a justification for war.’ From that moment, Korea was of secondary importance to US planners and policy makers. General MacArthur had been relieved of his responsibility for defending Korea when the last American tactical units had been withdrawn from that country in 1949.
In the light of Secretary Acheson’s remarks of 12 January 1950, it appeared that the United States had no intention of fighting for South Korea. In the view of many observers, his statement was an invitation to Communist China, North Korea and Russia that they could invade the republic with impunity.
From a US Army publication on the Korean War, 1992.
Source F
Negotiations between Kim Il Sung, Mao and Stalin went on through the spring of 1950 with Stalin seeking to avoid direct US–Soviet war. The deciding factor was Kim’s confident promise of rapid victory, that an uprising in the South coupled with the superiority of the Soviet-equipped and trained North Korean army would lead to victory in days. It came as a huge shock when the US rapidly organised a wide coalition to condemn North Korea and pass resolutions supporting UN action. This decisive action was the result of strategic reappraisal by the US. NSC68 reflected new views of the world situation and argued for a more active policy of resistance to communism. Coupled with McCarthy’s attack on Truman’s record in opposing communism, it seemed that, for Truman, there was no choice but to support South Korea.
From an analysis of the Korean War by a British historian, 2002.
NSC68 was a secret briefing prepared for Truman by the National Security Council and passed to him in April 1950.
Now answer the following questions:
(a) Compare and contrast the evidence in Sources A and B on events surrounding the outbreak of war in Korea in June 1950. [10]
(b) How far do Sources A–F support the view that the main reason the US went to war in 1950 was to protect South Korea? [30]
Section B
You must answer two questions from this section.
EITHER
2. ‘Multinational corporations were the most important factor in the growth of the global economy between 1945 and 1971.’ How far do you agree with this statement?[30]
OR
3. How important were Deng Xiaoping’s Four Modernisations in the transformation of China’s economy? [30]
AND EITHER
4. ‘Kashmir was the main cause of the Indo-Pakistani conflict, 1947 to 1972.’ How far do you agree? [30]
OR
5. How important was the United Nations’ contribution to the resolution of the Bosnian War in 1995? [30]