Cambridge International AS & A Level

HISTORY9489/01
Paper 1 Document question For examination from 2021

SPECIMEN PAPER 1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.

*0123456789*

You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)

INSTRUCTIONS
●● Answer one question from one section only.
Section A: European option
Section B: American option
Section C: International option
●● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

INFORMATION
●● The total mark for this paper is 40.
●● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 8 pages. Blank pages are indicated.

© UCLES 2018 [Turn over

 2

Answer one question from one section only.

Section A: European option

Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815–1871

1 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question.

Source A

Count Bismarck thinks that the time has come to mount a great Prussian action abroad and, if it
can be done in no other way, to go to war. Such an action has been the goal from the beginning
of his political career. It would satisfy his ungoverned and daring thirst for achievement. After such
a success, especially if it were attained by means of a fortunate war, the Prussian government
would more easily master its internal strife. The only means he has of bringing about a sudden
change internally must thus be sought in the field of foreign policy. The diversion of a war is vital to
Bismarck’s internal policy.

The Austrian ambassador in Prussia, to the Austrian Foreign Minister, February 1866.

Source B

We had to avoid wounding Austria too severely; we had to avoid leaving behind in her any
unnecessary bitterness of feeling or desire for revenge; we ought rather to reserve the possibility
of becoming friends again and regard the Austrian state as a piece on the European chessboard.
If Austria were severely injured she would become the ally of France.

From Bismarck’s memoirs, published in 1898, describing events in July 1866.

Source C

Unhappily I believe in a war with France before long – her vanity, hurt by our victories, will drive
her in that direction. Yet since I do not know of any French or German interest requiring a resort
to arms, I do not see it as certain. Only a country’s most vital interests justify embarking on a
war, only its honour, which is not to be confused with prestige. No statesman has a right to begin
a war simply because in his opinion it is inevitable in a given period of time. If foreign ministers
followed their rulers and military commanders into the field, History would record fewer wars. On
the battlefield and in the hospitals I have seen the flower of our youth struck down by wounds and
disease. I would not have a moment’s peace if I thought I had made war from personal ambition
and national vanity. I will never advise His Majesty to wage war unless the most vital interests of
the Fatherland require it.

A letter from Bismarck to a Conservative Deputy in the Landtag, March 1867.

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21

 3

Source D

There is nothing in our attitude to annoy or alarm France, there is nothing to prevent the
maintenance of peace for ten or fifteen years by which time the French will have become
accustomed to German unity and will have ceased to care about it.

I told our generals this spring, when they endeavoured to prove to me by all sorts of arguments
that we would beat the French if we went to war at that time, ‘I will still do all I can to prevent
war. You must remember, gentlemen, a war between such near neighbours and old enemies as
France and Prussia, however it may turn out, is only the first of at least six, and what should we
have succeeded in doing? Ruining France and most likely ourselves into the bargain. Do you think
a poor bankrupt neighbour is as desirable as a solvent one? France buys largely from us and sells
us many things we want.’ I strove for peace then and I will do so now. But German feelings must
be respected or I cannot answer for the people or the King!

From an interview given by Bismarck to a British journalist, September 1867.

Answer both parts of the question with reference to the sources.

(a)
Read Sources C and D.

To what extent do these two sources agree about Bismarck’s attitude towards France? [15]

(b)
Read all of the sources.

‘Bismarck always intended to use war to achieve German unification.’ How far do the sources
support this view? [25]

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21 [Turn over

 4

Section B: American option

The origins of the Civil War, 1820–1861

2 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question.

Source A

Everyone knows Douglas, a short, thick-set burly man with a fierce bulldog look. Skilled by a
thousand conflicts in all the strategy of a hand-to-hand fight, proud, defiant, arrogant, audacious,
unscrupulous, ‘Little Dug’ ascended the platform and looked out impudently upon the immense
throng before him. The other – Lincoln – is in physique the opposite of Douglas. I must admit
that ‘Long Abe’s’ appearance is not attractive. But stir him up and the fire of his genius plays on
every feature. Listening to him on Saturday, calmly and unprejudiced, I was convinced he has no
superior as an election speaker. The Republicans of Illinois have chosen a champion worthy of
their heartiest support and fully equipped for conflict with the great ‘Squatter Sovereign’.

From a report of the Ottawa debate in the ‘Chicago Press and Tribune’, 1 September 1858.

Source B

The debate at Freeport was attended by 20 000 people. At two o’clock the debates began. Lincoln
led off by replying to the questions put by Douglas at Ottawa. Lincoln then proceeded to bring out
Douglas’s views by asking him some questions. Mr D replied to Lincoln’s questions and retracted
what he said in Chicago. Douglas evidently adapts his speeches to the section of the state he is
in, taking for granted that his followers in southern Illinois cannot, or will not, read the anti-slavery
sentiments he may advocate in the North. Lincoln in his reply utterly demolished Douglas and
exposed his double dealing and his cowardice so fully that the friends of Douglas slunk away.
No more was heard from his friends while the Republicans held rousing meetings during the
remainder of the evening.

From the ‘Galesburg Semi-weekly Democrat’ (Illinois), 1 September 1858.

Source C

The discussion between Douglas and Lincoln drew an immense crowd of people, numbering we
think about 10 000, though some put the figure as high as 15 000. The weather was cloudy and cold
and in consequence of a high wind which prevailed a part of the time, many were prevented from
hearing the speakers. Lincoln had the opening speech and consumed his time in vain attempts
to remove himself from the unpleasant position in which Douglas’s arguments had placed him
in Ottawa. Taken as a whole, his speech was made up of lame and impotent conclusions and
came very short of the expectations of his friends. Of Douglas’s speech, suffice it to say it was a
masterly effort. We heard more than one Republican acknowledge that, much as they admired
Lincoln, he was no match for the ‘Little Giant’.

From the ‘Freeport Weekly Bulletin’ (Illinois), 2 September 1858.

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21

 5

Source D

When I was a boy of fourteen I had the good fortune to see and hear Lincoln in one of his series of
historic debates with Douglas – at Freeport. I was within a few feet of the low platform from which
the two speeches were made and both saw and heard everything which went on. The contrast
between the two speakers was immense, not in physique and bearing only but in relation to their
supporters and the audience as a whole. Lincoln seemed a man of the people. His arguments
were as direct in their appeal to Democrats as to Republicans. Douglas, on the other hand, was the
aggressive, defiant party leader, determined to intimidate his opponents by a violence of bearing
and expressions of contempt. I came away from the meeting quite aflame with enthusiasm for the
new Republican Party and especially for Lincoln as its new champion.

From an account written in 1917 by a Professor at Illinois University.

Answer both parts of the question with reference to the sources.

(a)
Read Sources B and D.

Compare and contrast the accounts of the Freeport meeting given by Sources B and D. [15]

(b)
Read all of the sources.

How far do the sources support the view that, in the debates with Douglas in 1858,
Lincoln showed all the talents needed to be a leader of the new Republican Party? [25]

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21 [Turn over

 6

Section C: International option

The League of Nations and international relations in the 1930s

3 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question.

Source A

Senator Swanson, the US Representative, drew the determined opposition of almost the entire
Naval Commission of the Disarmament Conference when he defended the right of the USA and
Great Britain to maintain their mighty war fleets. He bore the brunt of attacks by other powers
seeking abolition of aircraft carriers and battleships. He created the biggest sensation when he
made it clear that the USA is prepared to maintain a fleet of big submarines for the defence of its
Philippine possessions unless the Conference abolishes submarines altogether. This raises the
danger of possible future naval warfare between the USA and Japan.

From a US newspaper report of the World Disarmament Conference, May 1932.

Source B

While the Disarmament Conference did not accomplish all that was desired, its substantial
achievements give great promise for success when it reconvenes in January. When one considers
there were more than fifty nations represented at the Conference, with diverse interests and varied
needs for defence, it is pleasing that so much should have been accomplished. It assembled
under adverse circumstances, with a conflict between China and Japan and with many political
complications in Europe. However, it decided to abolish chemical and bacteriological warfare. It
absolutely prohibited air attack on civil populations under any circumstances, and prepared plans
for the complete abolition of all bombardment from the air. It has committed itself to this abolition
provided means can be devised to make it effective. The Conference agreed to limit the size of
tanks and provided for the limitation of land artillery. The Conference pledged itself to a substantial
reduction in land, air and sea armaments. An encouraging feature of the Conference was that
those who voted against the resolution which summarises the work of the Conference, did so not
because the resolution went too far, but because it did not go far enough.

From a press release by Senator Swanson, US Representative at the World Disarmament

Conference, August 1932.

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21

 7

Source C

Cartoon published in a British newspaper, May 1934.

Source D

It may be questioned whether, when the Conference met early in 1932, there existed the
conditions required for ultimate success. The progress of the Conference was limited because
the settlement of political questions had not been sufficiently prepared in advance and time was
spent on a series of fruitless discussions. The Conference faced other difficulties, such as serious
events in the Far East and conflicts between Colombia and Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay. Further,
when the Conference met, the world was faced with the most serious and widespread economic
and financial crisis in history. Economic difficulties were creating political unrest. All these events,
creating as they did a general uneasiness, undermined mutual confidence between nations and
troubled the atmosphere of the Conference from the very start.

From the official Report of the World Disarmament Conference, 1936.

Answer both parts of the question with reference to the sources.

(a)
Read Sources A and B.

Compare and contrast Sources A and B as evidence of the USA’s attitude towards
disarmament.[15]

(b)
Read all of the sources.

‘The World Disarmament Conference was a failure.’ How far do the sources support this
view?[25]
© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21
 8

BLANK PAGE

Copyright Acknowledgements:

Section C Source C: © Ref: LSE2071; David Low; The Conference Excuses Itself; Evening Standard; Associated Newspapers Ltd. / Solo Syndication;
1934; British Cartoon Archive; www.cartoons.ac.uk

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2018 9489/01/SP/21