IB History - Paper 2

​IB Paper 2 - Topic 10: 20th century authoritarian states past paper questions complete to November 2024

In the exam, two questions are asked from two of the three topics. Remember regions means that Russia, Germany and Italy cannot be compared if two regions are asked for. See these questions in the years they were asked. 

​Topic - 1. ​Emergence

“The conditions in which authoritarian states emerged were mainly determined by economic factors.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.   To what extent did economic factors contribute to the emergence of two authoritarian states, each from a different region?   Compare and contrast the importance of propaganda to the emergence of two authoritarian states. Compare and contrast the importance of the use of force on the emergence of two authoritarian states, each from a different region.   “Propaganda was the key factor in the emergence of authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two states, each from a different region.   “Weak political systems were the most significant factor in the emergence of authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two states.   To what extent did the weaknesses of political systems lead to the emergence of authoritarian states in two countries, each chosen from a different region?  To what extent was ideology the most important factor in the emergence of two authoritarian states?  “Economic conditions were the most important factor in the emergence of authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two states, each chosen from a different region.  To what extent did social division contribute to the emergence of two authoritarian states, each chosen from a different region?  Evaluate the impact of war on the emergence of two authoritarian states, each chosen from a different region.  Compare and contrast the conditions in which two 20th-century authoritarian states emerged, each chosen from a different region. ​

​Topic - 2. ​Consolidation

Compare and contrast the methods used to maintain power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region  “The maintenance of power was dependent on the successful control of opposition.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian leaders Examine the impact of the foreign policy of two authoritarian states on the maintenance of power in those states.   “The use of force was the most important method used to maintain power in authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.   “Control of opposition was the most important method used to maintain power in authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.   Evaluate the impact of foreign policy on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region.   Evaluate the impact of domestic economic policies on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region.  Evaluate the effectiveness of methods used to control opposition in two authoritarian states, each chosen from a different region. To what extent was foreign policy the most important factor in the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states?   “A successful foreign policy was the most important factor in the maintenance of power.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.  Evaluate the importance of charismatic leadership to the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states.  “The use of force was the most important method used to maintain power in authoritarian states.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states.  Evaluate the impact of foreign policy on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states.  To what extent was propaganda the most important factor in maintaining power in two 20th century authoritarian states?  ​​Compare and contrast the nature of opposition in two 20th century authoritarian states.

​Topic - 3. Policies

“The domestic policies of authoritarian states rarely benefitted women.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states  To what extent was authoritarian control achieved in two 20th-century states?  “Social and economic policies in authoritarian states did not always achieve their aims.” Discuss with reference to one authoritarian state.  Evaluate the impact of domestic economic policies on the maintenance of power in two authoritarian states, each from a different region.  Compare and contrast the impact of the policies of two authoritarian states on women.  “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.   “Full authoritarian control could not be achieved.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?  Evaluate the impact of social policies in two authoritarian states.  Evaluate the impact of social and cultural policies in one authoritarian state. To what extent did the social policies of two 20th century authoritarian states lead to significant change?  ​​​“Authoritarian control was complete.” With reference to two 20th-century states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?