IB History - Paper 2

​IB Paper 2 - Topic 12. Cold War past paper questions complete until November 2024

Below are how questions have been asked. In the exam, usually two questions are asked from two of the three topics. Remember regions means that the USSR is part of Europe and cannot be compared to Germany, France etc. if two regions are asked for. See these questions in the years they were asked. 

​Topic - 1. Rivalry, mistrust and accord

To what extent did economic interests rather than ideology lead to the breakdown of the grand alliance between 1943 and 1949?   “Confrontation rather than reconciliation ended the Cold War.” Discuss with reference to the period from 1980 to 1991.  “Ideology was the main factor that led to the emergence of superpower rivalry between 1943 and 1949.” Discuss.   “Economic problems between 1980 and 1991 were the most significant reason for the end of the Cold War.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?   “Superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia between 1943 and 1949 led to the breakdown of the grand alliance.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?   To what extent did the policy of peaceful co-existence improve superpower relations up to and including 1964?   “China’s relations with the USSR and the US were largely shaped by increasing mistrust and suspicion.” Discuss with reference to the period between 1947 and 1979.   Evaluate the impact of detente upon US-USSR relations up to the end of 1979.   To what extent was the arms race the most important reason for the end of the Cold War (1980-1991)?   Evaluate the factors which led to detente between the US and USSR between 1971 and 1979.   “The arms race made the greatest contribution to the ending of the Cold War.” Discuss with reference to the period between 1980 and 1991.   “Fear, rather than aggression, was the main cause of superpower rivalry between 1943 and 1949.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?     ​ “Reconciliation was more important than confrontation in superpower relations.” Discuss with reference to the period between 1980 and 1991.  To what extent were economic factors the main reason for the end of the Cold War in the period 1980-1991?  To what extent did ideology lead to the breakdown of the Grand Alliance in the period 1943–1949?   “The US policy of containment up to 1962 had limited success.” Discuss with reference to events in two regions.   “Ideological challenges and dissent were the most significant reasons for the end of the Cold War.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? ​

​Topic - 2. Leaders and nations

Evaluate the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the course of the Cold War   Compare and contrast the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the development of the Cold War “The impact of Cold War tensions was mainly economic.” Discuss with reference to two countries (excluding the USSR and the US)   Evaluate the impact of Cold War tensions on two countries (excluding the USSR and the US)   “The actions of individual leaders had a significant impact on the development of the Cold War.” Discuss with reference to two leaders, each from a different region   Examine the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region   Examine the influence of two leaders, each chosen from a different region, on the development of the Cold War.   Examine the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.   Evaluate the cultural impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.    Discuss the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.  ​With reference to two leaders, each from a different region, evaluate their impact on the development of the Cold War.  Discuss the impact of two leaders, each chosen from a different region, on the course of the Cold War.  Examine the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region. ​

​Topic - 3. Cold War crises

Compare and contrast the causes of two Cold War crises, each from a different region   Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises, each from a different region, on the development of superpower tensions   “Ideology was the most important cause of Cold War crises.” Discuss with reference to two Cold War crises, each from a different region   “Mistrust between the superpowers was the most important cause of Cold War crises.” Discuss, with reference to two crises, each chosen from a different region. ​ Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises on superpower rivalry.   Evaluate the impact of two crises, each chosen from a different region, on the development of the Cold War.   “Cold War crises were mainly caused by superpower aggression.” Discuss, with reference to two crises, each chosen from a different region. ​ “Mistrust between the superpowers was the most important cause of Cold War crises.” Discuss, with reference to two crises, each chosen from a different region. ​