2024_OCR - GCSE History B (Schools
History Project)
The Making of America, 1789–1900
with Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest,
1519–1535
Merged Question Paper & Marking
Scheme
(Tuesday 11 June 2024 – Afternoon)
Code: J411/38
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 11 June 2024 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project)
J411/38 The Making of America, 1789–1900
with Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
* 2 3 4 3 7 2 8 4 2 0 *
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Section A – The Making of America, 1789–1900: Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2, 3
and either Question 4 or Question 5.
• Section B – Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535: Answer Questions 6 and
7, and either Question 8 or Question 9.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2024 [601/8408/5] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (ST) 344907 Turn over
,GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project) J411/38 – The Making of America, 1789–1900
with Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535 – Exam Overview
The GCSE History B exam for J411/38 will cover two significant historical topics: The Making of
America, 1789–1900 and Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535. This exam will assess
students' understanding of pivotal historical events, figures, and themes, along with their ability to
analyze and compare developments across these two distinct periods in history.
Key Topics and Themes:
1. The Making of America, 1789–1900:
Founding of the United States:
o The creation of the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of a federal government in
1789.
o Key figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, and
their roles in shaping the new nation.
Expansion and Settlement:
o The westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century, including the
Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the doctrine of Manifest
Destiny.
o The impact of expansion on Native American populations, including forced relocation
and the Trail of Tears.
o The role of the Homestead Act and the settlement of the frontier, along with the
development of new states.
Slavery and the Civil War:
o The role of slavery in the Southern economy and its centrality to the nation's political
debates.
o Key events leading to the Civil War (1861–1865), such as the Missouri Compromise,
the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott decision.
o The leadership of Abraham Lincoln and the significance of the Emancipation
Proclamation.
o The social and political consequences of the Civil War, including the abolition of
slavery (13th Amendment) and the Reconstruction period.
Industrialization and Economic Change:
o The growth of industry and the rise of the railroad, and their impact on the economy,
society, and the environment.
o The rise of big business and the development of cities, as well as the challenges faced
by workers, including labor strikes and the rise of labor unions.
o The expansion of the U.S. into a global power by the end of the 19th century, marked
by imperialism and the Spanish-American War.
2. Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535:
The Aztec Empire:
o The rise of the Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica, focusing on their society, culture,
religion, and political structure.
o The role of the Aztec rulers, such as Montezuma II, and the complex systems of tribute
and military conquest that helped the Aztecs maintain power.
o The religious practices of the Aztecs, including human sacrifice, and their belief system
centered on gods like Quetzalcoatl and Huitzilopochtli.
The Spanish Conquest:
o The arrival of Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1519–
1521.
, o The key events of the conquest, including the alliances formed by Cortés with rival
indigenous groups, the capture of Montezuma, and the eventual fall of Tenochtitlán in
1521.
o The role of disease, technology, and warfare in the downfall of the Aztec Empire,
including the spread of European diseases like smallpox, which devastated the
indigenous population.
Impact of the Spanish Conquest:
o The effects of the Spanish conquest on Aztec society, including the destruction of their
cities and temples, and the imposition of Spanish rule and Christianity.
o The long-term consequences of the conquest for indigenous peoples in the Americas.
3. Key Skills and Historical Thinking:
Comparing and Contrasting Two Distinct Periods:
o Students will be asked to compare and contrast the processes of expansion in both the
United States (through the westward expansion and the Civil War) and the Spanish
conquest of the Aztec Empire.
o They should consider how power was established, maintained, and challenged in both
contexts, as well as the impact of European colonialism on indigenous societies.
Use of Sources:
o Students will analyze historical sources such as documents, maps, and accounts from
the period to understand the events and perspectives of both the Aztecs and the early
United States.
o Key sources might include Cortés' letters, Aztec codices, and accounts from other
explorers and settlers of the time.
Historical Interpretations:
o The exam will encourage students to critically assess different interpretations of the
Spanish conquest and the formation of the United States.
o Students may be asked to evaluate the legacy of the Aztec Empire and the lasting
impact of the U.S. Civil War and industrialization.
Preparation Tips:
The Making of America, 1789–1900:
o Focus on key political, economic, and social developments in the United States during
this period, including the growth of federal power, the role of slavery, and the impact of
westward expansion.
o Review the causes and consequences of the Civil War, as well as the major events of
Reconstruction.
o Study the effects of industrialization on American society and economy, and the
implications of U.S. imperialism by the end of the 19th century.
Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519–1535:
o Understand the structure and culture of the Aztec Empire, as well as the events that led
to its downfall.
o Review the key stages of the Spanish conquest, including Cortés' strategies and the role
of disease and military technology. Analyze the long-term impact of the conquest on
both the indigenous population and Spanish colonial rule.
Comparing the Two Topics:
o Practice comparing the ways in which both the Aztecs and the United States dealt with
conquest, expansion, and conflict. Consider how both the Aztecs and Native Americans
in the U.S. experienced colonization and its effects on their societies.
This exam will test students' ability to understand and analyze two very different historical contexts, as
well as their capacity to compare and contrast events and developments across different time period.
Good luck with your studies and exam preparation!
