How do I revise International relations 1890–1941 for OCR A-Level?

Ensure you can compare and contrast the aims and motives of the 'Big Four' at the Paris Peace Conference.

What exam tips are there for International relations 1890–1941? (2)

Be prepared to evaluate the success and failure of the League of Nations using specific case studies like Manchuria and Abyssinia.

What exam tips are there for International relations 1890–1941? (3)

Develop a clear understanding of how the Nazi-Soviet Pact altered the diplomatic landscape in Europe.

What mistakes should I avoid in International relations 1890–1941?

Focusing too heavily on narrative rather than analysis of causation and consequence.

What are common errors in International relations 1890–1941 exams? (2)

Failing to link domestic factors (e.g., the Great Depression) to international outcomes.

International relations 1890–1941

OCR

A-Level

This unit covers international relations from 1890 to 1941, focusing on the causes and nature of the First World War, the Paris Peace Conference, the League of Nations, international diplomacy, the rise of dictators, the policy of appeasement, and developments in the Far East.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

International relations from 1890 to 1941 covers the dramatic shift from a relatively stable European order to two devastating world wars and the rise of totalitarian regimes. This period saw the collapse of old empires, the emergence of new ideologies, and the failure of collective security. For OCR A-Level History, this topic explores the origins of World War One, the interwar peace settlements, the League of Nations, and the road to World War Two, focusing on key powers like Germany, Britain, France, Russia, and the USA.

Understanding this period is crucial because it explains how global conflicts can arise from nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliance systems. It also highlights the challenges of maintaining peace after a major war, as seen in the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. The topic connects to broader themes of power, ideology, and diplomacy, and helps students analyse cause and consequence, change and continuity, and the role of individuals like Hitler, Stalin, and Chamberlain.

This topic fits into the wider OCR A-Level History course by providing a foundation for understanding 20th-century international relations. It links to modules on Germany, Russia, or Britain, and develops skills in evaluating sources and interpretations. Mastery of this period is essential for essays on the causes of wars, the effectiveness of peacekeeping, and the impact of economic depression on foreign policy.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Analysis of the causes of the First World War (nationalism, imperialism, militarism, alliances, naval race, crises).
Evaluation of the Paris Peace Conference and the terms of the peace treaties.
Assessment of the League of Nations' effectiveness in responding to international crises (1920–1935).
Analysis of the impact of the Great Depression on international relations.
Evaluation of the policies of appeasement pursued by Britain and France.
Analysis of the causes and impact of the Spanish Civil War.
Evaluation of the relations between Russia and the rest of Europe leading to the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
Analysis of Japanese nationalism, aims in the Far East, and the impact of the Manchurian Crisis.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Analysis of the causes of the First World War (nationalism, imperialism, militarism, alliances, naval race, crises).
Evaluation of the Paris Peace Conference and the terms of the peace treaties.
Assessment of the League of Nations' effectiveness in responding to international crises (1920–1935).
Analysis of the impact of the Great Depression on international relations.
Evaluation of the policies of appeasement pursued by Britain and France.
Analysis of the causes and impact of the Spanish Civil War.
Evaluation of the relations between Russia and the rest of Europe leading to the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
Analysis of Japanese nationalism, aims in the Far East, and the impact of the Manchurian Crisis.
Evaluation of the policies of Britain and the USA towards Japanese expansion in the 1930s.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can compare and contrast the aims and motives of the 'Big Four' at the Paris Peace Conference.
💡Be prepared to evaluate the success and failure of the League of Nations using specific case studies like Manchuria and Abyssinia.
💡Develop a clear understanding of how the Nazi-Soviet Pact altered the diplomatic landscape in Europe.
💡Practice constructing arguments that reach a substantiated judgement on the effectiveness of appeasement.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Focusing too heavily on narrative rather than analysis of causation and consequence.
Failing to link domestic factors (e.g., the Great Depression) to international outcomes.
Neglecting the Far East developments in favour of European events.
Lack of substantiated judgements in essay responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Evaluate

Assess

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

International relations 1890–1941

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level History

African kingdoms c.1400–c.1800: four case studies

Alfred and the making of England 871–1016

Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107

Apartheid and reconciliation: South African politics 1948–1999

International relations 1890–1941

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the alliance system cause World War One?

Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?

Why did the League of Nations fail?

What was appeasement and why did Britain follow it?

How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact lead to World War Two?

What role did the USA play in international relations before 1941?

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level History

African kingdoms c.1400–c.1800: four case studies

Alfred and the making of England 871–1016

Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107

Apartheid and reconciliation: South African politics 1948–1999