AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY 7042/2T [[Component 2T The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000]]QUESTIONS & MARKING SCHEME MERGED| GRADED A+

Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From the memoirs of Bolshakov, published in Pravda, February 1989. Bolshakov was an intelligence officer in the Soviet Embassy in Havana at the time of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The events of October 1962 were the first and, fortunately, only nuclear crisis in our history, a moment of fear and illumination. Nikita Khrushchev, John Kennedy, Fidel Castro and the whole of mankind felt that for the first time they were in the same boat at the epicentre of a nuclear abyss. Some thought that the causes of the crisis were military. By deploying missiles in Cuba the USSR was, they reckon, trying to correct the imbalance in the number of nuclear warheads with the USA, which, so they claimed, was something like 15:1 or 17:1 in the USA’s favour at that time. Others put forward political reasons: the USA’s intention to destroy the Republic of Cuba, and the USSR’s desire to consolidate the position of the socialist camp on the American continent. I myself think that the Cuban crisis was primarily a failure of trust – between states and leaders. 5 10 Source B From a confidential letter written by Nikita Khrushchev to US President JF Kennedy, 30 October 1962. We have received from you a promise that you will not invade Cuba and will not allow others to do so. We, on this condition, will remove from Cuba the weapons that you call aggressive. On the basis of this compromise and mutual concessions, the problem seems to have been resolved. We realised the seriousness of the issue, looked beyond self-interest and have achieved mutual satisfaction. No doubt, there will be those that will be displeased, who will say harsh and unfair things about our agreement. No doubt, they will look closely at the detail to try to find out whether the USSR gave greater concessions to the USA or vice versa. Yet, I would say that we both gave way to reason and found a sensible resolution, which dealt with the problem and will ensure peace for all, including those who will try to find fault and be critical. 5 10 3 IB/M/Jun23/7042/2T Turn over ► Source C From comments made by Fidel Castro during talks with Mikoyan, the Soviet Deputy Prime Minister, 3 November 1962. The Soviet Union’s concessions to the USA have had a depressing effect. Psychologically our people were not ready for it. There was a feeling of deep disappointment, bitterness and pain. It was as though we were deprived not only of missiles but of the very symbol of solidarity. Our people thought that the report that the missile installations were being dismantled and returned to the Soviet Union was a barefaced lie. Why was the decision taken without consulting us? Why are they taking the missiles away? Are they going to take all missiles back? These are the questions which have been concerning our people. In recent days these feelings of bitterness and pain have spread across the country. It has been one thing after another. On 27 October came the proposal to remove missiles from Cuba on condition that the Turkish bases were shut down. On 28 October came the order for dismantling and agreement to inspection. Nobody could believe it and everybody thought it was a pack of lies. 5 10 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the USSR’s involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisi