International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975 with The USA 1945–1974
This depth study focuses on the relationship between the people and the state in the USA from 1954 to 1964, specifically examining the development and achievements of the civil rights movement, the roles of key leaders and organizations, opposition to the movement, and the contribution of government and official institutions.
Subtopics in this area
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
This OCR GCSE History topic covers international relations from 1918 to 1975, focusing on the changing international order, and the USA from 1945 to 1974. It explores key events like the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations, the Cold War, and American social and political developments, providing a comprehensive understanding of 20th-century global history.
Topic Overview
This topic covers the turbulent period from the end of World War I to the mid-1970s, focusing on the shifting balance of power internationally and the domestic and foreign policies of the USA. It begins with the Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles, which set the stage for future conflicts. The League of Nations, though idealistic, failed to prevent aggression in the 1930s, leading to World War II. The post-war era saw the emergence of the Cold War, a bipolar world dominated by the USA and USSR, with crises like the Berlin Blockade, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Simultaneously, the USA experienced significant social and political change. The post-war economic boom led to the 'Affluent Society', but also to civil rights struggles, as African Americans fought for equality. Presidents from Truman to Nixon implemented policies like the Fair Deal, the Great Society, and the New Federalism, while dealing with the Vietnam War, which deeply divided the nation. The Watergate scandal ultimately eroded public trust in government.
This topic is crucial for understanding modern international relations and American identity. It shows how decisions made after WWI influenced the rest of the century, and how domestic issues can shape foreign policy. For OCR GCSE, you need to analyse causes and consequences, evaluate sources, and understand different interpretations of events.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Collective security: The idea that peace is maintained by all nations acting together, as attempted by the League of Nations and the United Nations.
- →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 armed conflict, from 1947 to 1991.
- →Containment: The US policy of preventing the spread of communism, as outlined in the Truman Doctrine and implemented in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
- →Civil Rights: The movement for equal rights for African Americans, including legal challenges, protests, and legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Development and achievements of the civil rights movement (Brown vs. Board of Education 1954, Montgomery Bus Boycott 1956).
- Leadership of Martin Luther King in civil rights campaigns.
- Roles of the SNCC, SCLC, and NAACP in civil rights campaigns.
- Opposition to the civil rights movement, including illegal organizations, police, and state authorities.
- Contribution of government and official institutions in improving civil rights, including the Supreme Court, Kennedy, and Johnson.
- Reasons for and impact of the Civil Rights Act 1964.
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Development and achievements of the civil rights movement (Brown vs. Board of Education 1954, Montgomery Bus Boycott 1956).
- Leadership of Martin Luther King in civil rights campaigns.
- Roles of the SNCC, SCLC, and NAACP in civil rights campaigns.
- Opposition to the civil rights movement, including illegal organizations, police, and state authorities.
- Contribution of government and official institutions in improving civil rights, including the Supreme Court, Kennedy, and Johnson.
- Reasons for and impact of the Civil Rights Act 1964.
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Focus on the relationship between the people and the state.
- 💡Understand the complexity of the historical situation and the interplay of different aspects.
- 💡Be prepared to use primary source material to investigate issues and understand the challenges presented by such sources.
- 💡Ensure understanding of second-order historical concepts like causation, consequence, change, continuity, significance, and similarity and difference.
- 💡Always use specific dates, names, and terms. For example, instead of saying 'the League was weak', say 'the League lacked an army and the USA never joined, weakening its ability to enforce decisions'.
- 💡For source questions, always consider the provenance: who made it, when, and why. This shows you can evaluate reliability and utility.
- 💡In essay questions, structure your answer with clear paragraphs, each with a point, evidence, and explanation. Use the 'PEEL' method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to ensure depth.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Misconception: The League of Nations was a complete failure from the start. Correction: The League had some successes in the 1920s, such as resolving the Aaland Islands dispute and the Upper Silesia issue, but its failures in the 1930s overshadowed these.
- Misconception: The Cold War was solely caused by the USA. Correction: Both the USA and USSR contributed to the Cold War, with mutual suspicion, ideological differences, and actions like the Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe and the US atomic monopoly.
- Misconception: The Vietnam War was fought to stop communism from spreading to the USA. Correction: The US fought to contain communism in South Vietnam, based on the Domino Theory, but the war was in Southeast Asia, not on American soil.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Focus on the international order 1918-1939. Create a timeline of key events: Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations, Manchuria, Abyssinia, Munich Agreement. Make flashcards for key terms and personalities.
- 2Week 2: Move to the Cold War 1945-1975. Study the origins, key crises (Berlin, Cuba, Vietnam), and the policy of détente. Use mind maps to link causes and consequences.
- 3Week 3: Study the USA 1945-1974. Break it into themes: politics (presidents and policies), society (civil rights, counterculture), and economy (boom and bust). Create a table for each president's domestic and foreign policies.
- 4Week 4: Practice exam questions. Do past papers under timed conditions, focusing on source analysis and essay writing. Review mark schemes to understand what examiners look for.
- 5Week 5: Revise weak areas and create summary sheets for each sub-topic. Use active recall and spaced repetition to consolidate knowledge.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋Source analysis questions (e.g., 'How useful is this source for...?') – practice evaluating utility, reliability, and context.
- 📋Explain questions (e.g., 'Explain why the League of Nations failed') – use specific examples and structure with PEEL.
- 📋Essay questions (e.g., 'How far was the USA responsible for the Cold War?') – develop a balanced argument with a clear judgement.
- 📋Interpretation questions (e.g., 'How do interpretations differ about the dropping of the atomic bomb?') – compare and contrast different historical perspectives.
Command Word Expectations (OCR)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Provide reasons or causes, showing how and why something happened. You must include specific evidence and link points together. For 6 marks, aim for 3-4 developed points with examples.
Make a judgement about the importance, success, or usefulness of something. You must consider different perspectives and reach a balanced conclusion, using evidence to support your view.
Give a detailed account of what happened, including key facts, dates, and people. Avoid analysis; focus on factual recall.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: Explain why the League of Nations failed to keep peace in the 1930s. (6 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Identify key reasons: the League's weaknesses (lack of US membership, no army, slow decision-making) and specific crises (Manchuria 1931, Abyssinia 1935).
- 2.Step 2: Explain how each weakness contributed to failure, e.g., without the USA, economic sanctions were less effective; without an army, the League couldn't enforce decisions.
- 3.Step 3: Use specific examples: Japan ignored the League over Manchuria, and Britain and France didn't want to risk war over Abyssinia, so they appeased Italy.
- 4.Step 4: Conclude by linking these factors to the League's overall inability to maintain collective security.
Question: Study Source A: a cartoon from 1962 showing Kennedy and Khrushchev arm-wrestling over missiles. How useful is this source for understanding the Cuban Missile Crisis? (8 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Analyse the source content: the cartoon depicts the tension and personal rivalry between Kennedy and Khrushchev, symbolising the superpower confrontation.
- 2.Step 2: Evaluate its utility: it is useful for showing the public perception of the crisis as a personal duel, but it lacks detail on the actual events, such as the naval blockade or the secret negotiations.
- 3.Step 3: Consider the provenance: cartoons are biased and simplified, but they reflect contemporary attitudes and fears.
- 4.Step 4: Conclude with a balanced judgement: the source is useful for understanding the atmosphere of the time, but it must be used alongside other evidence for a full picture.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •A basic understanding of World War I and its aftermath, including the Treaty of Versailles.
- •Knowledge of the interwar period, including the rise of dictatorships and the causes of World War II.
- •Familiarity with the Cold War and key events like the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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