International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975 with China 1950–1981 — OCR GCSE History
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International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975 with China 1950–1981 explained
This subtopic covers the development of Cold War tensions in Europe between 1945 and 1961, focusing on the actions of the USSR in Eastern Europe, the response of the USA and its allies, the division of Germany, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and the construction of the Berlin Wall.
What to demonstrate
- Actions of the USSR in Eastern Europe 1945–1948
- Response of the USA and its allies to Soviet actions
- Conferences at Yalta and Potsdam
Show all 11 objectives
- The changing international order after 1945 and its consequences
- The division of Germany
- The Truman Doctrine
- The Marshall Plan
- The Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- Development of NATO
- Development of the Warsaw Pact
- The building of the Berlin Wall 1961 and its effects on international relations
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975 with China 1950–1981 exam tips
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975 with China 1950–1981 is an OCR GCSE History topic that explores the collapse of the post-WWI settlement, the rise of dictatorships, the causes and consequences of WWII, the Cold War, and China's transformation under Mao. It examines key events like the Treaty of Versailles, appeasement, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Cultural Revolution, focusing on causes, consequences, and significance.
Topic Overview
This topic covers the turbulent period from the end of WWI to the mid-1970s, focusing on the failure of the League of Nations, the rise of dictators, WWII, and the Cold War. It also includes a separate depth study on China under Mao Zedong from 1950 to 1981, examining the establishment of communist rule, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and China's international relations. Understanding this period is crucial for grasping how the modern world order emerged from the ashes of two world wars and the ideological clash between capitalism and communism.
The international order changed dramatically: the Treaty of Versailles created resentment, the League failed, and WWII led to the emergence of two superpowers, the USA and the USSR. The Cold War then dominated global politics, with proxy wars, nuclear arms race, and events like the Berlin Blockade and Cuban Missile Crisis. Simultaneously, China's communist revolution under Mao transformed the country, but at great human cost, and its relations with the USSR and USA shifted over time. This topic helps students understand the roots of current global tensions and the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation.
Key Concepts
- →Collective security: The idea that peace could be maintained by nations acting together, as in the League of Nations and later the UN.
- →Appeasement: The policy of giving in to aggressive demands to avoid war, notably used by Britain and France towards Hitler in the 1930s.
- →Cold War: A state of political and military tension between the USA and USSR, without direct military conflict, involving proxy wars and nuclear threats.
- →Communism vs. Capitalism: The ideological struggle between the Soviet/Chinese model of state control and the Western model of free markets and democracy.
- →Decolonisation: The process of former colonies gaining independence, often influenced by the superpowers during the Cold War.
Marking Points
- Actions of the USSR in Eastern Europe 1945–1948
- Response of the USA and its allies to Soviet actions
- Conferences at Yalta and Potsdam
- The changing international order after 1945 and its consequences
- The division of Germany
- The Truman Doctrine
- The Marshall Plan
- The Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- Development of NATO
- Development of the Warsaw Pact
- The building of the Berlin Wall 1961 and its effects on international relations
Examiner Tips
- 💡Focus on how events contribute to the overall narrative of International Relations 1918–1975.
- 💡Understand the unfolding narrative of developments rather than just memorizing isolated facts.
- 💡Be prepared to analyze and evaluate historical interpretations of the Cold War.
- 💡Ensure understanding of how the international situation affected internal politics and vice versa.
- 💡Use specific dates, names, and terms to show knowledge. For example, 'the 1938 Munich Agreement' or 'the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis'.
- 💡For 'explain' questions, use the PEE structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation. For 'evaluate' questions, make a judgement and support it with evidence.
- 💡Link events to their consequences. For example, the Treaty of Versailles led to German resentment, which Hitler exploited. This shows analytical depth.
Common Mistakes
- Misconception: The League of Nations was completely useless. Correction: It had successes in the 1920s, such as settling the Aaland Islands dispute and refugee work, but failed in the 1930s due to major powers' self-interest.
- Misconception: The Cold War was a military conflict. Correction: It was a war of ideologies, espionage, and proxy wars, but the superpowers never fought each other directly.
- Misconception: Mao's policies were universally supported. Correction: The Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution caused widespread famine and persecution, and many opposed them, though dissent was suppressed.
Revision Plan
- 1Week 1: Focus on the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Create timelines and flashcards for key terms and events.
- 2Week 2: Study the causes of WWII, including appeasement and Hitler's foreign policy. Practice 6-mark questions.
- 3Week 3: Cover the Cold War: origins, key crises (Berlin, Cuba), and the arms race. Use mind maps to link causes and consequences.
- 4Week 4: Study China under Mao: the establishment of the PRC, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and foreign relations. Compare with Cold War events.
- 5Week 5: Revise all topics, practice past papers, and focus on exam technique, especially command words.
Exam Question Types
- 📋Explain questions (4-6 marks): These ask 'Explain why...' or 'Explain the causes of...'. Use PEE and include specific examples.
- 📋Evaluate questions (10 marks): These ask 'How far...' or 'To what extent...'. Make a judgement and support with evidence, considering different perspectives.
- 📋Source-based questions: You may be given a source and asked to analyse its utility or reliability. Consider the author, context, and purpose.
- 📋Interpretation questions: You may be asked to compare two interpretations of an event. Use the interpretations and your own knowledge to evaluate.
Command Word Expectations (OCR)
Explain
Give reasons or causes for an event, using specific knowledge. For 6 marks, you need at least two developed points with evidence and explanation.
Evaluate
Make a judgement on the importance or significance of something. For 10 marks, you must consider different factors, weigh them, and reach a conclusion.
Describe
Give a detailed account of what happened, including key facts, dates, and people. For 4 marks, you need several accurate points.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Pitfall: Students often confuse the aims of the Big Three at the Treaty of Versailles, especially Wilson's idealism vs. Clemenceau's desire for revenge.
❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):The Treaty of Versailles was harsh on Germany because everyone wanted revenge.
Example improved answer:The Treaty of Versailles was shaped by the conflicting aims of the Big Three: Wilson wanted a fair peace based on his Fourteen Points, Clemenceau sought to weaken Germany permanently for security, and Lloyd George wanted a balance between punishing Germany and maintaining trade. The result was a compromise that imposed heavy reparations, territorial losses, and the war guilt clause, which many Germans resented.
Examiner Tip: Always link each leader's aims to specific terms of the treaty. Use precise examples like the 'war guilt clause' or 'reparations of £6.6 billion' to show depth.
Pitfall: In the Cold War, students often simplify the Cuban Missile Crisis as just a standoff, missing the significance of the secret deal and the impact on the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):The Cuban Missile Crisis was when the USA and USSR almost had a nuclear war over missiles in Cuba.
Example improved answer:The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) was a 13-day confrontation after the USA discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba. Kennedy imposed a naval blockade and demanded removal. Secret negotiations led to a deal: the USSR removed missiles from Cuba, and the USA agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey and promised not to invade Cuba. The crisis highlighted the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship and led to the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and a direct hotline between Washington and Moscow.
Examiner Tip: For 10-mark questions, explain the significance beyond the immediate outcome. Mention the hotline, the test ban treaty, and how it changed superpower relations.
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Question: Explain why the League of Nations failed to keep peace in the 1930s. (6 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Identify key reasons: absence of major powers (USA, USSR initially), lack of army, economic sanctions ineffective, appeasement.
- 2.Step 2: Use specific examples: Manchuria 1931, Abyssinia 1935, Hitler's reoccupation of the Rhineland 1936.
- 3.Step 3: Structure answer with PEE (Point, Evidence, Explain) for each reason.
Final Answer: The League failed because it lacked the USA's membership, had no military force, and its economic sanctions were weak. For example, when Japan invaded Manchuria, the League's response was slow and ineffective. Similarly, in 1935, Italy's invasion of Abyssinia showed that Britain and France were unwilling to enforce sanctions, and the Hoare-Laval Pact undermined the League's credibility.
Question: How far was the policy of appeasement responsible for the outbreak of WWII? (10 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Define appeasement and its aims.
- 2.Step 2: Argue that appeasement allowed Hitler to grow stronger (e.g., Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland).
- 3.Step 3: Consider other factors: Treaty of Versailles, Nazi ideology, failure of collective security, Hitler's ambitions.
- 4.Step 4: Reach a judgement weighing factors.
Final Answer: Appeasement was a significant factor as it allowed Hitler to remilitarise the Rhineland, unite with Austria, and take the Sudetenland without opposition, encouraging his aggression. However, the Treaty of Versailles created resentment, and Hitler's expansionist ideology was a direct cause. Ultimately, appeasement gave Hitler time to build his forces, but the invasion of Poland in 1939 was the immediate trigger, showing that appeasement was not solely responsible but a major contributor.
Active Recall Memory Test
What were the three main terms of the Treaty of Versailles regarding Germany?
Key Fact: War guilt clause, reparations of £6.6 billion, and territorial losses (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine to France, Polish Corridor).
Name two events that showed the League of Nations' failure in the 1930s.
Key Fact: The Manchurian Crisis (1931) and the Abyssinian Crisis (1935).
What was the policy of appeasement and give one example.
Key Fact: Giving in to aggressive demands to avoid war; example: the Munich Agreement 1938, which allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland.
What were the causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Key Fact: The USA's placement of Jupiter missiles in Turkey, the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and the USSR's desire to protect Cuba and balance the nuclear threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the League of Nations fail?
The League failed because it lacked the support of major powers like the USA, which never joined, and the USSR was excluded initially. It had no military force to enforce its decisions, and economic sanctions were ineffective as countries like Italy and Japan ignored them. The League's structure required unanimous decisions, making action slow, and in the 1930s, Britain and France were more focused on appeasement than collective security. The Manchurian and Abyssinian crises exposed these weaknesses.
What was the difference between the League of Nations and the United Nations?
The League of Nations was created after WWI to maintain peace, but it failed due to lack of US membership and military power. The United Nations was established after WWII with the USA and USSR as permanent members of the Security Council, giving it more authority. The UN also had a peacekeeping force and was more successful in some areas, but it still faced challenges during the Cold War. The UN's structure, with the veto power, made it more effective but also led to deadlock.
How did the Cold War affect China?
China, under Mao, initially allied with the USSR, receiving economic and military aid. However, relations soured due to ideological differences and border disputes, leading to a split in the 1960s. China then pursued an independent path, and by the 1970s, it improved relations with the USA, culminating in Nixon's visit in 1972. The Cold War also influenced China's domestic policies, such as the Great Leap Forward, which was partly aimed at surpassing the West and USSR.
What was the Cultural Revolution and why did it happen?
The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) was a socio-political movement launched by Mao to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society and reassert his authority. Mao feared that the revolution was being undermined by revisionists within the Communist Party. He called on young people, the Red Guards, to attack 'bourgeois' influences. This led to widespread chaos, destruction of cultural heritage, and persecution of intellectuals. It ended after Mao's death and the arrest of the Gang of Four.
Why did the USA get involved in the Vietnam War?
The USA got involved in Vietnam to contain communism, as part of its Cold War policy. The Domino Theory suggested that if South Vietnam fell to communism, other Southeast Asian countries would follow. The USA provided military aid and troops to support the South Vietnamese government against the communist Viet Cong and North Vietnam. However, the war was costly and controversial, leading to a US withdrawal in 1973 and the fall of Saigon in 1975.
What was the significance of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) was significant because it was the first arms control agreement of the Cold War, showing that the USA and USSR could cooperate. It banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space, but allowed underground tests. This reduced radioactive fallout and was a step towards détente. It also set a precedent for future arms control agreements, like the SALT talks.