IB History - Paper 2

​IB Paper 2 - Topic 11. Causes and effects of 20th-century wars past paper questions complete until November 2024.

Below are how questions have been asked. In the exam, two questions are asked from two of the three topics. Different regions will allow you to compare and contrast the first and second world war. ​ See these questions in the years they were asked. 

​Topic - 1. ​The causes of war

Examine the long- and short-term causes of one 20th-century war.  “The most important causes of war were economic.” With reference to two wars, to what extent do you agree with this statement? “The most important causes of wars were political.” With reference to two wars, to what extent do you agree with this statement? Compare and contrast the long-term causes of two wars. Compare and contrast the short-term causes of two wars.

​Topic - 2. ​Practices of war and their impact on the outcome

“The influence of foreign powers determined the outcome of 20th century civil wars.” Discuss with reference to two wars. Evaluate the impact of the mobilization of human and economic resources upon the outcome of one 20th-century war. Evaluate the importance of guerrilla warfare to the outcome of two 20th-century wars. Discuss the importance of technological developments to the outcome of two 20th-century wars, each from a different region. “Foreign powers did not determine the outcome of civil wars.” Discuss with reference to two civil wars, each from a different region. Discuss the impact of guerrilla warfare on the outcome of two 20th century wars. Discuss the impact of the mobilization of human and economic resources on the outcome of two wars. Evaluate the importance of foreign influence to the outcome of two civil wars. Examine the impact of foreign powers on the outcome of two civil wars. Evaluate the impact of guerrilla warfare on the outcome of two wars. Evaluate the impact of foreign influence on the outcome of two 20th century civil wars, each chosen from a different region.    “The mobilization of human and economic resources had the greatest impact on the outcome of wars.” Discuss with reference to two 20th century wars, each chosen from a different region.  “The mobilization of human and economic resources was the most important factor determining the outcome of wars.” Discuss with reference to two 20th-century wars.   ​

​Topic - 3. ​Effects of war

“The effects of war on the role and status of women were mostly beneficial.” Discuss with reference to two wars. Evaluate the impact of two 20th-century wars on the role and status of women. With reference to one 20th-century war, compare and contrast the political repercussions for two countries. “Territorial changes were the most significant consequence of war.” Discuss with reference to two wars. Examine the effects of the peacemaking processes that followed two 20th-century wars. With reference to two 20th-century wars, each from a different region, compare and contrast the effects of war on the role and status of women. “Territorial changes were the most significant challenge to successful peacemaking.” Discuss with reference to the effects of two 20th century wars. “Changes to the role and status of women as a result of war were limited.” Discuss with reference to two wars, each from a different region.​ Evaluate the short-term political impact of two wars, each chosen from a different region.   “Political change was the most significant short-term effect of war.” Discuss with reference to two wars. "Further conflict was rarely prevented." Discuss with reference to peacemaking after two 20th century wars.  “The political impact of war was limited.” Discuss with reference to two 20th century wars, each chosen from a different region.    Evaluate the short-term political impact of two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region. ​