EXAM QUESTIONS (by topic)
Origins of the Cold War
1. “Ideology was the most important cause of Cold War crises.” Discuss with reference to two Cold
War crises, each from a different region.
2. “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?
3. To what extent did economic interests rather than ideology lead to the breakdown of the grand
alliance between 1943 and 1949?
4. To what extent did mutual fear and suspicion contribute to the development of the Cold War
between 1945 and 1949?
5. “The struggle to establish spheres of influence destroyed the wartime alliance.” Discuss with
reference to US-Soviet relations up to 1950.
6. To what extent were Soviet policies responsible for worsening relations among the wartime
allies in the period up to 1950?
7. “The claim that the breakdown of superpower relations between 1945 and 1950 was the result
of mutual fear and suspicion has been greatly exaggerated.” To what extent do you agree with
this statement?
Cold War Crises
1. Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises on superpower rivalry.
2. Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises, each from a different region on the development of
superpower tensions.
3. Examine the impact on the course of the Cold War of two crises, each chosen from a different
region.
4. Examine the impact of either Afghanistan or Vietnam on the Cold War.
5. With reference to two Cold War crises, to what extent did brinkmanship risk direct superpower
conflict after 1956?
6. Evaluate the influence of Cold War tensions on two military conflicts, each chosen from a
different region.
Cold War Leaders
1. “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.
2. Evaluate the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the course of the Cold War.
3. Compare and contrast the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the
development of the Cold War.
4. “Stalin and Truman were equally responsible for the emergence of the Cold War.” To what
extent do you agree with this statement?
Cold War Nations
1. “The impact of Cold War tensions was mainly economic.” Discuss with reference to two
countries (excluding the USSR and the US).
2. Evaluate the impact of the Cold War tensions on two countries (excluding the USSR and the US).
3. Evaluate the economic impact of the Cold War on two states, each from a different region.
4. Discuss the social and cultural impact of the global spread of the Cold War on two countries
(excluding the US and the USSR), each chosen from a different region.
5. Compare and contrast the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries (excluding the
USSR and the US each chosen from a different region.
6. Examine the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on two states (excluding the US and the
USSR), each chosen from a different region.
Superpower Relations
1. Evaluate the factors which led to détente between the US and USSR between 1971 and 1979.
2. Evaluate the impact of détente upon US-USSR relations up to the end of 1979.
3. “China’s relations with the USSR and US were largely shaped by increasing mistrust and
suspicion.” Discuss with reference to the period between 1947 and 1979.
4. To what extent did the policy of peaceful coexistence improve superpower relations up to and
including 1964?
5. Examine the reasons for changes in Sino-Soviet relations between 1956 and 1976.
6. Examine the impact of the US policy of containment on superpower relations between 1947 and
1964.
7. Compare and contrast US relations with China and the USSR during detente.
8. In what ways, and to what extent, did the Soviet policy of peaceful coexistence affect
superpower relations from 1956 to 1964?
9. Analyse the reasons for the adoption and abandonment of the policy of détente (1969-1979).
10. Account for the changing nature of Sino-Soviet relations from 1949 to 1976.
11. To what extent did the arms race influence the development of the Cold War?
End of the Cold War
1. “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?
2. “Confrontation rather than reconciliation ended the Cold War.” Discuss with reference to the
period from 1980 to 1991.
3. “Reagan and Gorbachev made an equal contribution to the end of the Cold War.” Discuss.
4. To what extent were Reagan’s policies responsible for ending the Cold War?
5. Evaluate the role of Gorbachev in ending the Cold War.
6. To what extent was the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991 due to external pressure?
7. Examine the role played by economic factors and the arms race in the collapse of the USSR and
the end of the Cold War by 1991.
8. “The break up of the Soviet Union was the unintended result of policies introduced by
Gorbachev.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
