Structured Essay Questions (SEQ) for GCE “O” Level History

Topic Essay Questions

Impacts of World War 1 1. This question is on the impact of World War I.
a) Explain the political and economic impact of the Treaty
of Versailles.
b) ‘The League of Nations was a total failure.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

2. This question is on the impact of World War I.

a) Explain why Germany hated the Treaty of Versailles.
b) ‘The lack of armed forces was the most important
reason for the weakness of the League of Nations in the
1920s.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

3. This question is on the impact of World War I.

a) Explain why the League of Nations was a weak
organization.
b) “The aim of the Treaty of Versailles was for the allies to
punish Germany.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

4. This question is about the Paris Peace Settlements.

a) Why did the League of Nations fail to ensure peace in
the 1920s and early 1930s? Explain your answer.
b) ‘The aim of the Big 3 were met in the Treaty of
Versailles.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

5. This question is about the impact of the First World

War.
a) Explain why the League of Nations failed to achieve its
aims.
b) “The Treaty of Versailles was without merit.” How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

6. This question is on establishing Peace after World War

One.
a) Explain why the League of Nations was a success in
1920s.
b) ‘The peace settlement of 1919 was necessary.’ How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

7. This question is about peace settlement after World

War I.
a) Explain why France and Belgium invaded the Ruhr in
1923.
b) “A harsh peace settlement at Versailles was inevitable.”
How far do you agree with this judgment? Explain your
answer.

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 8. This question is about world developments after World
War 1.
a) Explain why the German people were unhappy with the
Treaty of Versailles.
b) ‘The absence of the USA was the reason for the League
of Nations’ weakness.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

9. This question is about the Paris Peace Conference in

1919 and its aftermath.
a) Explain how structural weaknesses led to the failure of
the League of Nations.
b) “The ‘Big Three’ wanted only revenge in the Paris Peace
Conference.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

10. This question is on Impact of World War I in Europe.

a) Explain how the War Guilt Clause and territorial
reductions affected Germany after the Treaty of
Versailles.
b) ‘Post-war attitude of member countries was the main
reason that led to failure of the League of Nations.’ How
far do you agree with the statement? Explain your
answer.
Communist Russia 1. Stalin’s Soviet Union.
a) Explain how the weakness of Stalin’s rivals led to
Stalin’s rise to power.
b) “Stalin’s collectivization policy was a mistake.” How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

2. This question is about the Soviet Union under Stalin.

a) Explain the reasons for Stalin’s rise to power from an
ordinary revolutionary to become the supreme leader
of the Soviet Union.
b) Do you agree that the period of the Great Terror was
the most devastating impact of Stalin’s rule? Explain
your answer.

3. This question is on Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union.

a) Explain why the Communist Party members supported
Stalin instead of Trotsky.
b) How far do you agree that Stalin’s cult of personality
was more significant than terror in controlling Soviet
Russia? Explain your answer.

4. This question is on the rise of Stalin and the impact of

his rule.
a) Explain why Stalin’s economic policies had weakened
the development of the Soviet Union in the 1930s.
b) ‘Stalin’s cunningness was the main reason behind his
success in becoming the leader of the Communist
Party.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

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 5. This question is on the rise and impact of authoritarian
regimes in Soviet Union.
a) Why were Stalin’s economic policies devastating to the
people of Soviet Union?
b) ‘Stalin’s exploitation of ideological division was the
reason for Stalin’s rise to power in Soviet Union’. How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

6. This question is on Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union.

a) Why did Stalin introduce collectivization?
b) Was Stalin’s strong control over the Soviet Union due to
the use of propaganda or due to the use of force?
Explain your answer.

7. This question is on Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union.

a) Explain why Stalin’s actions yielded him power in the
1920s.
b) “Stalin’s economic policies were a blessing for the
people of the Soviet Union.” How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.
Nazi Germany 1. This question is on Hitler’s Germany.
a) Explain why Hitler was able to rise to power in the
1980s.
b) “Hitler depended on the use of fear to control the
population” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

2. This question is on the rise of authoritarian regimes

and its impact on Europe.
a) Explain the reasons why Hitler came into power by
1932.
b) ‘The outbreak of World War II was due to Hitler’s
expansionist policy.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

3. This question is about Hitler’s Germany.

a) Explain why Hitler was able to rise to power in the
1930s.
b) “Hitler’s rule was beneficial to the Germans.” How far
do you agree with this judgement? Explain your
answer.

4. This question is on Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

a) Explain how Hitler’s abilities enabled him to rise to
power.
b) “It was a mistake by the Germans to support Hitler and
the Nazis as rulers of Germany.” How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer.

5. This question is about Germany.

a) Explain how the Treaty of Versailles and the Great
Depression led to Hitler’s rise to power.

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 b) Was the Treaty of Versailles or the Nazi Soviet Pact
more responsible for the outbreak of WWII? Explain
your answer.
Reasons for the 1. This question is on the Outbreak of World War II in
outbreak of World War Europe.
2 in Europe a) Explain why World War II broke out in Europe.
b) “Germany’s defeat in World War II was because of
Soviet’s resistance efforts.” How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer

2. World War II in Europe

a) Explain how the policy of appeasement led to the
outbreak of World War II.
b) “The Allies could not have defeated Germany without
the USA.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

3. This question is on World War II in Europe.

a) Explain why Germany was defeated in 1945.
b) “The Nazi-Soviet Pact was the most important reason
for the outbreak of World War II in Europe.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

4. This question is on the outbreak of World War II in

Europe.
a) Explain why the Nazi-Soviet Pact and Hitler’s
aggressive foreign policy led to World War II.
b) “The policy of appeasement was a failure.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

5. This question is about the Second World War.

a) Explain why the USA had to give up its policy of
isolation.
b) “Germany’s attempts at defeating the Allies were
without merit.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

6. This question is on War in Europe.

a) Explain why Hitler’s expansionist policies and the
failure of the policy of Appeasement led to the outbreak
of war in Europe in 1939.
b) ‘The fall of Berlin in April 1945 was due to Hitler’s
mistakes.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.
7. This question is on the war in Europe.
a) Explain why Hitler was confident of proceeding with
his expansionist policy in the 1930s.
b) “The Germans’ ineffective command structure
contributed to their defeat in the war in Europe.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

8. This question is on World War Two in Europe.

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 a) Explain why Britain adopted the policy of appeasement
towards Germany.
b) How far do you agree that Allied collaboration was
more significant than Hitler’s mistakes in the defeat of
Germany in 1945? Explain your answer.

9. This question is on World War Two in Europe.

a) Explain why America’s involvement had strengthened
the Allies in their fight against Germany during WW2.
b) ‘Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement was the main
reason behind the failure to stop Hitler’s aggression in
Europe.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

10. This question is about World War II in Europe.

a) Explain how Germany lost the war due to effective
Allied resistance.
b) ‘World War II erupted due to Hitler’s expansionist
dreams.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

11. This question is on World War II in Europe.

a) Explain why Hitler adopted an expansionist foreign
policy in the1930s.
b) “The defeat of Germany was due to its own actions
only.” How far do you agree with the statement?
Explain your answer.

12. This question is on reasons for war in Europe and

eventual defeat of Germany
a) Explain why the Allied powers responded positively to
American involvement in defeating Germany during
World War Two.
b) ‘The Appeasement Policy played a greater role in
triggering World War Two in Europe than Hitler’s
aggressive foreign policy’. How far do you agree with
the statement? Explain your answer.

13. This question is on World War II in Europe.

Reasons for the 1. This question is on the Outbreak of World War II in the
outbreak of World War
2 in the Asia-Pacific
a) Explain how the entry of the USA led to Germany’s
defeat during World War II.
b) “It was right to pursue the policy of appeasement.” How
far do you agree? Explain your answer.
Asia-Pacific.
a) Explain why going to war was unavoidable for Japan.
b) “Japan’s defeat in World War II was because of her
ineffective defense.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

2. This question is on the outbreak of World War II in the

Asia-Pacific.
a) Explain why Japan embarked on its expansionist policy
from 1900 to 1945.

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 b) ‘Japan should be blamed for its own defeat in the Asia-
Pacific War.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

3. This question is on Outbreak of WW2 and the Defeat of

Germany.
a) Explain how Japan’s ambitions contributed to the
outbreak of World War Two in the Asia-Pacific by 1931.
b) To what extent was Japan’s overextended empire the
most important factor that ended the war in the Asia-
Pacific in 1945? Explain your answer.

4. This question is on the outbreak and end of World War

II in the Asia Pacific.
a) Why were the strengths of USA useful in defeating
Japan during World War II?
b) ‘USA’s trade embargo on Japan was the reason for the
outbreak of World War II in the Asia Pacific’. How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

5. This question is about Japanese foreign policy and war

in the Asia Pacific.
a) Explain why the Japanese attacked Manchuria in 1931.
b) “Home grown economic differences determined the
outcome of the war in the Asia Pacific.” How far do you
agree with this judgment? Explain your answer.

6. This question is about the Asia-Pacific War.

a) Explain why Japan invaded South East Asia in 1941.
b) ‘Japan lost the Second World War because its empire
was over-extended.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

7. This question is on the outbreak of World War II in the

Asia Pacific.
a) Explain how the League of Nation’s failure to act led to
Japanese aggression in Manchuria and China.
b) “Japanese expansion in Asia was justified.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

8. This question is on the World War II in the Asia Pacific.

a) Explain how the internal factors led to the defeat of the
Japanese in World War II.
b) “Japan’s aggressive foreign policy was justified.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

9. This question is about the outbreak of war in Europe

and Asia-Pacific.
a) Explain why the weaknesses of the League of Nations
and the Appeasement policy contributed to German
gains in the 1930s.
b) “American foreign policy towards Japan should be
blamed for the outbreak of WWII in Asia-Pacific.” How

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 far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

10. This question is on World War II in Asia Pacific.

a) Explain the economic reasons that led to Japan waging
World War II in the Asia Pacific.
b) “It was right for the United States to use the atomic
bomb.” How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
Cold War, Korean War, 1. This question is on the end of the Cold War.
Cuban Missile Crisis a) Explain why the Soviet Economy deteriorated in the
1980s.
b) “Gorbachev’s policies were doomed to fail.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

2. This question is on the Cold War.

a) Explain why relations worsened between Cuba and the
USA in the 1950s and 1960s.
b) “The superpowers should be blamed for the outbreak
of the Korean War.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

3. This question is about the Cold War,

a) Why did the relationship between USA and the USSR
deteriorate immediately after the end of World War II?
Explain your answer.
b) ‘The containment policy adopted by the USA was a
success.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

4. This question is on the Cold War.

a) Explain why the Grand Alliance broke down at the end
of the Second World War.
b) ‘The Cold War started with the Truman Doctrine.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

5. This question is on the Korean War.

a) Explain why the United States and the Soviet Union
were competing for Korea.
b) “The involvement of the United States escalated the
Korean War from a nationalist war to a proxy war.’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

6. This question is about the Cold War.

a) Why did USA and China get involved in the Korean
War? Explain your answer.
b) “The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
ensured stability in Europe.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

7. This question is on the origins and end of the Cold War.

a) Explain why the superpowers became Cold War rivals
after the end of World War II.

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 b) ‘Gorbachev’s reforms of Glasnost and Perestroika
destroyed the Soviet
Union.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

8. This question is on the Cold War and the End of Cold

War.
a) Explain how the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall
Plan contributed to the containment policy of the USA.
b) “Gorbachev’s policies for the Soviet Satellite States and
USSR were a failure.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

9. This question is on the Korean War.

a) Explain why the Korean War broke out in 1950.
b) “The US intervention in the Korean War was a failure.”
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

10. This question is about the reasons for the Cold War in
Europe.
a) Explain the reasons for the USA and the Soviet Union
becoming Cold War rivals despite being allies in World
War II.
b) Do you agree that the Berlin Blockade was the most
significant manifestation of the Cold War in Europe?
Explain your answer.

11. This question is on the Cold War.

a) Explain why the actions of President Kennedy and
Khrushchev led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in October
1962.
b) ‘Stalin’s blockade of Berlin led to Cold War tensions in
Europe after World War II’. How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.

12. This question is on the Cold War

a) Explain why Berlin Blockade escalated the tension
between the USA and USSR in 1945.
b) “USA’s use of the atomic bomb was the key reason that
resulted to the development of distrust between the
USA and USSR during World War II.” How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

13. This question is on the outbreak of the Cold War.

a) Explain why relations between the Soviet Union and
USA became worse after World War Two.
b) “The USA is to be blamed for the escalating tension
during the Cold War period.” How far do you agree?
Explain your answer.

14. This question is on the Cold War.

a) Explain why the USA introduced the Marshall Plan in
June 1947.

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 b) “The main reason why the Cold War broke out between
USA and USSR was their ideological differences.” How
far do you agree? Explain your answer.

15. This question is on the Korean War.

a) Explain why the Chinese got involved in the Korean
War in 1950.
b) ‘The USA was more responsible for the outbreak of the
Korean War than the USSR.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.

16. This question is on the Korean War.

a) Explain the impact of the rise of Communist China on
the development of Cold War in the early 1950s.
b) ‘America’s involvement in the Korean War was a
mistake.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

17. This question is on the end of Cold War.

a) Explain the impact of Ronald Reagan’s policies on the
development of Cold War in the 1980s.
b) ‘Gorbachev’s reforms for the Soviet Union were a
mistake.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

18. This question is about the Korean War.

a) Explain why Korea became two separate states by
1949.
b) ‘The United Nations (UN) made a mistake in crossing
the 38 th parallel in September 1950.’ How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

19. This question is about the end of Cold War.

a) Explain how the economic and military superiority of
the United States gave the West an upper hand in the
Cold War in the early 1980s.
b) ‘Gorbachev made a mistake in introducing Glasnost and
Perestroika.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

20. This is question is about the end of the Cold War.

a) Explain why Gorbachev felt the need to address the
declining confidence in Communist ideology.
b) ‘Gorbachev had no one but himself to blame for the
failure of his domestic policies.’ How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer.

21. This question is on the start of Cold War.

a) Explain why Stalin refused to allow Eastern Europe
countries to accept the Marshall Aid.
b) ‘The USA was to be blamed for starting the Cold War.’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.

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 22. This question is on the Cold War and end of Cold War.
a) Explain why the Korean War broke out.
b) ‘Gorbachev’s reforms were solely responsible for
ending the Cold War.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

23. This question is about the reasons for the Cold War in
Europe
a) Explain how the Yalta Conference in 1945 led to
increased tensions between the Allies.
b) “America’s policy of containment in Europe from the
late 1940s to 1950s was a great success.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

24. This question is on the Cold War.

a) Explain how the Containment Policy increased tensions
between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
b) “It was a mistake of the Soviets to launch the Berlin
Blockade.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.

25. This question is about the End of the Cold War.

a) Explain how misallocated funding and an inefficient
economy caused the failure of command economy.
b) Was glasnost or perestroika more responsible for the
collapse of the USSR? Explain your answer.

26. This question is about events during the Cold War

a) Explain why the Soviet-American relationship
improved after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
b) ‘The Americans caused the Korean War.’ How far do
you agree? Explain your answer.

27. This question is about the origins of the Cold War.

a) Explain why the Berlin Blockade and the Warsaw Pact
contributed to the tensions during the Cold War.
b) “Stalin’s paranoia towards democracy should be
blamed for the origins of the Cold War after 1945.” How
far do you agree withthis statement? Explain your
answer.

28. This question is on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

a) Explain the significance of Cuba to USA.
b) “Khrushchev and Castro were responsible for the
Cuban Missile Crisis. ” How far do you agree? Explain
your answer.

29. This question is on the end of Cold War.

a) Explain how détente came about.
b) “Gorbachev was responsible for the end of Cold War.”
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.

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