AQA
AS
AS
HISTORY 7041/2Q
The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
Component 2Q Prosperity, inequality and Superpower
status,
... [Show More] 1945–1963
Version: 1.0 Final
IB/M/Jun23/E4 7041/2Q
AS
HISTORY
The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
Component 2Q Prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945–1963
Tuesday 23 May 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/2Q.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
2
IB/M/Jun23/7041/2Q
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the opening statement given by Senator John F Kennedy during the first televised
Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate, to an audience of 66 million, 26 September 1960.
I should make it very clear that I am not satisfied with our progress. This is a great
country, but I think it could be greater; and this is a powerful country, but I think it could be
more powerful. I’m not satisfied when four million Americans wait every month for a
government food package which averages five cents a day per individual. I’m not satisfied
when the Soviets produce twice as many scientists and engineers as we do. I’m not
satisfied when the USA had a lower rate of economic growth than our rivals last year.
Economic growth means strength; it means we can sustain our defences and vitality; it
means we’re able to meet our commitments abroad.
5
Source B
From ‘The Making of the President, 1960’ by Theodore White, a successful and renowned
journalist. The book was published in 1961 and won a prestigious Pulitzer Prize for
general non-fiction.
In the first televised presidential debate, Kennedy had been the boy under assault,
attacked by Nixon as immature, lazy, inexperienced. Kennedy, however, was nerveless;
Nixon, by contrast, was tense, almost frightened and looked haggard. The studio
background was grey and against this Nixon, in a grey suit, faded into a fuzzy outline while
Kennedy in his dark suit made a crisp picture. Radio listeners believed the candidates
performed equally. Yet every survey of television viewers indicated that the
Vice-President had come off poorly. One survey estimated two million of Kennedy’s
voters came from television’s impact, and since he won by only 112 000 votes, Kennedy
was entirely justified in saying, ‘It was TV more than anything that turned the tide’.
5
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two sources is more valuable in explaining the reasons for Kennedy’s victory in
1960?
[25 marks]
3
IB/M/Jun23/7041/2Q
Section B
Answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Either
0 2 ‘The issue of race was the most significant factor dividing American society in the years
1945 to 1952.’
Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
[25 marks]
or
0 3 ‘Eisenhower failed to deal with the domestic problems facing the USA.’
Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
[25 marks]
END OF QUESTIONS
4
IB/M/Jun23/7041/2Q
There are no questions printed on this page
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*236A7041/2Q*
AS
HISTORY
7041/2Q
The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
Component 2Q Prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945–1963
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Fin [Show Less]