Cambridge IGCSE™

HISTORY 0470/12
Paper 1 Structured Questions February/March 2024

2 hours

You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.

* 8 7 2 3 3 5 3 5 0 7 *

You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer three questions in total:
Section A (Core content): answer two questions.
Section B (Depth studies): answer one question.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 8 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (KS) 328019/5
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SECTION A: CORE CONTENT

Answer two questions from this section.

Option A: The nineteenth century

1 The story of Italian unification contains setbacks and triumphs.

(a) Describe how Rome became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. [4]

(b) Why was Austria able to crush opposition to its power in Italy in 1848–49? [6]

(c) Which was more important in the achievement of Italian unification: the contribution of
individuals or Italian nationalism? Explain your answer. [10]

2 There were many factors pushing Germany towards unification.

(a) What were the outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War for Germany? [4]

(b) Why did the existence of the Zollverein encourage German nationalism? [6]

(c) ‘Prussian military strength was the main reason for the unification of Germany.’ How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

3 Imperial powers in the nineteenth century were ready to use harsh measures to defend their
interests.

(a) Describe events from 1899 to 1902 following the refusal of the United States to recognise the
First Philippine Republic. [4]

(b) Why did the British respond so violently to the Indian Rebellion of 1857? [6]

(c) ‘The United States went to war against Spain in 1898 because of Spanish atrocities in Cuba.’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

4 Developments in the early twentieth century gradually moved Europe closer to war.

(a) Describe how Britain ended its policy of ‘splendid isolation’ in the years leading up to the First
World War. [4]

(b) Why was Germany concerned about developments in Morocco? [6]

(c) How far was Serbia responsible for the outbreak of the First World War? Explain your answer.
[10]

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Option B: The twentieth century

5 The negotiators had many difficult issues to deal with in the Paris Peace Conference.

(a) What were the main aims of Wilson’s Fourteen Points? [4]

(b) Why did the Treaty of Versailles have important economic consequences for Germany in the
years 1919–23? [6]

(c) ‘The issue of land was the most difficult for the Allies to deal with in deciding the terms of the
Treaty of Versailles.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

6 Up to 1939, Hitler’s foreign policy had few setbacks.

(a) What was the Anti-Comintern Pact? [4]

(b) Why was Anschluss important to Hitler? [6]

(c) ‘Chamberlain got what he wanted at the Munich Conference.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. [10]

7 In the years after the Second World War the USA and the Soviet Union grew more suspicious of
each other.

(a) What was Cominform? [4]

(b) Why did Stalin prevent Eastern European countries from applying for Marshall Aid? [6]

(c) Which peace conference achieved more: Yalta or Potsdam? Explain your answer. [10]

8 In the 1960s US foreign policy was dominated by the fight against communism.

(a) Describe what happened at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. [4]

(b) Why was it important that Kennedy refused to accept the Soviet Union building missile sites
in Cuba? [6]

(c) How successful were Nixon’s policies in Vietnam? Explain your answer. [10]

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SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES

Answer any one question from this section.

Depth study A: The First World War, 1914–18

9 The First World War was fought in many parts of the world.

(a) Describe the part played by Canadian troops on the Western Front. [4]

(b) Why was it important for Germany to defend Tsingtao? [6]

(c) ‘The Arab Revolt was of little significance in the First World War.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

10 The First World War ended with the signing of an armistice.

(a) What happened in the Kiel Mutiny? [4]

(b) Why were the Allies prepared to agree to an armistice with Germany in November 1918? [6]

(c) ‘Germany made an error in deciding to launch its 1918 Offensive.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

Depth study B: Germany, 1918–45

11 During the 1920s Germany struggled at first and then gradually recovered.

(a) Describe the aims and activities of the Spartacists in 1919. [4]

(b) Why was the occupation of the Ruhr by French and Belgian troops important for Germany?
[6]

(c) ‘Stresemann’s economic achievements were more important than his achievements in foreign
policy.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

12 It took Hitler over ten years to gain power.

(a) Describe the role of the SA in the Nazi Party. [4]

(b) Why did Hitler make changes to the Nazi Party when he was released from prison in 1924?
[6]

(c) ‘The Reichstag Fire was the most important factor in Hitler’s consolidation of power in
1933–34.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

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Depth study C: Russia, 1905–41

13 Lenin was the dominant figure in Russia for much of the period 1917 to 1924.

(a) Describe the rule of the Provisional Government in 1917. [4]

(b) Why did Lenin introduce War Communism? [6]

(c) How far was the New Economic Policy (NEP) disliked by Russians? Explain your answer.
[10]

14 Government policies changed the lives of the Russian people.

(a) Describe how the everyday lives of many Russians had improved by the mid-1930s. [4]

(b) Why did government policies towards women and the family change in the 1930s? [6]

(c) How successful was Stalin’s policy of collectivisation? Explain your answer. [10]

Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41

15 For many Americans the 1920s was a period of prosperity.

(a) What was a Ford Model T? [4]

(b) Why did some Americans not benefit from the boom of the 1920s? [6]

(c) ‘The American economy boomed in the 1920s because of government policies.’ How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

16 Millions of Americans lost their jobs during the Depression.

(a) What did Hoover do to help people during the Depression? [4]

(b) Why did the Wall Street Crash lead to unemployment? [6]

(c) ‘The main reason Roosevelt won the 1932 election was because he gave Americans hope.’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

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Depth study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, 1939–c.1945

17 Germany’s progress in Europe gradually slowed down.

(a) What happened at Stalingrad, 1942–43? [4]

(b) Why was the Vichy government important to Germany? [6]

(c) ‘Hitler decided not to invade Britain because he had failed to destroy the British army at
Dunkirk.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

18 Civilians suffered badly during the Second World War.

(a) Describe the impact of the Japanese occupation on the lives of the Malayan people. [4]

(b) Why did Germany bomb British cities? [6]

(c) ‘The main reason Nazi extermination camps were all in Poland was to hide them from the
German people.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

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