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History Paper 2 Authoritarian States
A. Syllabus
, B. Past Papers
Overview:
1. M21: “Full authoritarian control could not be achieved.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?” (both
time zones)
2. M21: “The treatment of opposition was the most important factor in the maintenance of power”. Discuss with reference to two authoritarian
states, each from a different region.
3. M21. Evaluate the impact of foreign policy on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region (TZ2)
N20. Compare and contrast the use of force in the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states.
N20. “Authoritarian states had total control over the population.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
N19. Compare and contrast the importance of the use of force on the emergence of two authoritarian states, each from a different region.
N19. Evaluate the impact of domestic economic policies on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region.
M19TZ1. “The use of force was the most important method used to maintain power in authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.
M19TZ1. Compare and contrast the impact of the policies of two authoritarian states on women.
M19TZ2. “Control of opposition was the most important method used to maintain power in authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian
states.
M19 TZ2.“The domestic policies of authoritarian states rarely benefitted women.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.
N18 Examine the impact of the foreign policy of two authoritarian states on the maintenance of power in those states.
N18. “Social and economic policies in authoritarian states did not always achieve their aims.” Discuss with reference to one authoritarian state.
M18TZ1+TZ2. Compare and contrast the importance of propaganda to the emergence of two authoritarian states.
M18TZ1. “The domestic policies of authoritarian states rarely benefitted women.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian state
M18TZ2. To what extent was authoritarian control achieved in two 20th-century states?
N17. To what extent did economic factors contribute to the emergence of two authoritarian states, each from a different region?
N17.. “The maintenance of power was dependent on the successful control of the opposition.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian leaders.
,M17. “The conditions in which authoritarian states emerged were mainly determined by economic factors.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.
M17. Compare and contrast the methods used to maintain power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region.
Details with Markscheme:
M21: “Full authoritarian control could not be achieved.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?”
(May 2021 - both time zones)
Markscheme: The question requires that candidates consider the extent to which full authoritarian control was or was not achieved in two states.
The two states may or may not come from different regions. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the two states or they may prioritize their
evaluation of one of them. However, both states will be a feature of the response. Candidates may assess the extent of rulers’ constitutional
power. In Germany, for example, Hitler could make laws without requiring the approval of a parliament or superior authority. There may be an
assessment of the extent of the power of the security forces, such as the NKVD in the USSR, and whether the judiciary’s independence had been
removed. Candidates may assess the extent both of opposition and control over the media, culture and education and social activity. The impact
of mass mobilization, such as the Anti movements in China, may be assessed. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and
supported by appropriate evidence.
M21: Compare and contrast the use of force in the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states.
M21. Evaluate the impact of foreign policy on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region (TZ2)
Markscheme: The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of foreign policy on the maintenance of power in two
authoritarian states, weighing up its importance or otherwise. The two authoritarian states must be from different regions. Candidates may offer
equal coverage of both authoritarian states, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. However, both states will be a feature of the
response. Candidates may refer to the role of the authoritarian ruler defending national interests and its impact on their popularity, for example,
the increase of Nasser’s popularity after the Suez Crisis. They may also refer to the use of a foreign policy to unify the population around the
regime, for example, Castro's confrontations against the US. Candidates may evaluate the impact of the Cold War, for example, Sukarno's
relationship with the Soviet Union. They may also refer to the importance of wars, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’
opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
, M21 TZ1: “The treatment of opposition was the most important factor in the maintenance of power.” Discuss with reference to two
authoritarian states, each from a different region (TZ1).
Markscheme: The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the treatment of opposition
was the most important factor in the maintenance of power in two states. The two authoritarian states must be from different regions. Candidates
may refer to the importance of eliminating opposition to avoid the rise of political rivals or to avoid controversy over domestic and international
policies, for example Mao’s Cultural Revolution or Stalin’s Purges. Candidates may refer to the use of propaganda to turn the opposition into an
enemy of the nation and reinforce the power of the government, for example in Hitler’s propaganda against the KPD. They may also refer to the
importance of weakening sections of the military to avoid a coup, for example, in Sukarno’s Indonesia. There may be discussion of the nature and
threat posed by the opposition. Other relevant factors may be discussed, such as economic and social factors or the role of leadership,
but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate
evidence.
M21 TZ1. “Full authoritarian control could not be achieved.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this
statement?” (TZ1)
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N20. Compare and contrast the use of force in the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states.
The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the use of force in the maintenance of power in two
authoritarian states referring to both throughout.The two states may or may not be from the same region. Candidates may compare and contrast the use of force
as a tool to maintain authority within the state, for example, Mao’s use of the Cultural Revolution as a tool to eliminate opposition inside and outside of the
ruling party with Lenin’s use of the Cheka that was intended to target only counter-revolutionaries. Candidates may compare and contrast the use of force in
isolated incidents, such the use of political assassinations by Pinochet or in mass campaigns such as the purges under Stalin.Candidates will also likely
compareand contrastthe use of secret police forces in authoritarian states or agencies such as the OVRA in Italy. Candidates may compare and contrast the use of
force to maintain power by individual leaders or refer, more broadly, to the use of force within authoritarian states. Candidates’ opinions and conclusions will be
presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
20.“Authoritarian states had total control over the population.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that authoritarian states had total control over the population. The two
states may or may not be from the same region. Responses will address the extent to which states were successful and/unsuccessful in achieving full control.
Candidates may refer to the extent to which political methods were effectively used byNazi Germany to maintain authoritarian control, such as changing the
political structure, instituting new laws,the purging of civil servants and banning opposition parties. Other possible themes include the use of social policies
