OCR · GCSE · History
Course version: J410 · Version from Mar 2026
Post-1945 conflicts - impacts and popular responses: Cold War and Britain…
Full specification wording
War and British Society c.790 to c.2010 (J410/10) - c.1750–c.2010: Post-1945 conflicts - impacts and popular responses: Cold War and Britain in the 1950s and 1960s; IRA campaigns 1969–1994; the Iraq War 2003; terrorist threats and counter measures post-2003.
This topic covers four post-1945 conflicts and how each affected Britain and how people responded.
Checked against the OCR J410 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic covers four post-1945 conflicts and how each affected Britain and how people responded. First, the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s: nuclear deterrence, the presence of US bases, CND protests and civil defence. Second, the IRA campaigns 1969–1994: mainland bombing, security measures in Britain and Northern Ireland, and the political response leading towards the 1990s peace process. Third, the Iraq War 2003: British military involvement, public opposition and the controversy over intelligence. Fourth, terrorist threats and counter measures post-2003: the threat from Islamist terrorism, the 2005 London bombings, and legislation such as counter-terrorism laws balancing security and civil liberties. For each, learn both the impact on British society and the popular response, such as protest, debate or changes in everyday security.
What earns the marks
- Identifies the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s as a period of nuclear threat and deterrence affecting Britain.
- Describes a popular response to the Cold War, such as CND protest or civil defence preparations.
- Explains an impact of the IRA campaigns 1969–1994 on Britain, such as mainland bombing or heightened security.
- Describes the Iraq War 2003 as a conflict involving British forces and provoking public opposition.
- Explains a counter-terrorism measure after 2003 and the debate over security and civil liberties.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treats the Cold War as a direct shooting war in Britain.
Put it right by describing it as a period of threat, deterrence and protest.
Places the IRA campaigns outside their stated dates.
Put it right: Keep examples within 1969–1994.
Confuses the Iraq War 2003 with an earlier conflict.
Put it right: Check the date and context before selecting.
Describes a counter-terrorism measure without noting the debate over civil liberties.
Put it right: Link security measures to popular response.
Exam tips
- Match each option to the correct conflict and its stated dates before choosing.
- Look for the option that names both an impact and a popular response, since the topic requires both.
- Reject options that describe events outside the post-1945 period or the stated date ranges.
- Check whether a security measure is attributed to the right conflict, as counter-terrorism laws followed 2003.
Try the lesson
The start of the War and British Society c.790 to c.2010 (J410/10) - c.1750–c.2010: Post-1945 conflicts - impacts and popular responses: Cold War and Britain in the 1950s and 1960s; IRA campaigns 1969–1994; the Iraq War 2003; terrorist threats and counter measures post-2003. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
During the Cold War of the 1950s, which organisation did Britain join as a founding member in 1949 to defend Western Europe and North America against possible Soviet attack?
Listen
This topic covers four post-1945 conflicts and how each affected Britain and how people responded. First, the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s: nuclear deterrence, the presence of US bases, CND protests and civil defence. Second, the IRA campaigns 1969–1994: mainland bombing, security measures in Britain and Northern Ireland, and the political response leading towards the 1990s peace process. Third, the Iraq War 2003: British military involvement, public opposition and the controversy over intelligence. Fourth, terrorist threats and counter measures post-2003: the threat from Islamist terrorism, the 2005 London bombings, and legislation such as counter-terrorism laws balancing security and civil liberties. For each, learn both the impact on British society and the popular response, such as protest, debate or changes in everyday security. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s as a period of nuclear threat and deterrence affecting Britain. Describes a popular response to the Cold War, such as CND protest or civil defence preparations. Explains an impact of the IRA campaigns 1969–1994 on Britain, such as mainland bombing or heightened security. Describes the Iraq War 2003 as a conflict involving British forces and provoking public opposition. A common slip: Treats the Cold War as a direct shooting war in Britain. Instead, describing it as a period of threat, deterrence and protest. Exam tip: Match each option to the correct conflict and its stated dates before choosing.
See it
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. IRA campaigns begin, bringing mainland bombing and heightened security
- 2. London bombings form part of the terrorist threat
- 3. Iraq War involves British forces and provokes public opposition
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Cold War threat and nuclear deterrence
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
IRA campaigns and security responses
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Iraq War 2003 and public opposition
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Terrorism, counter measures and civil liberties
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Cold War threat and nuclear deterrence
- A period in the 1950s and 1960s of nuclear threat and deterrence affecting Britain, not a direct shooting war in Britain.
- IRA campaigns and security responses
- Campaigns from 1969 to 1994 involving mainland bombing and heightened security measures in Britain and Northern Ireland, with a political response leading towards the 1990s peace process.
- Iraq War 2003 and public opposition
- A conflict involving British forces that provoked public opposition and controversy over intelligence.
- Terrorism, counter measures and civil liberties
- The threat from Islamist terrorism post-2003, including the 2005 London bombings, and legislation such as counter-terrorism laws balancing security and civil liberties.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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