Relations grew increasingly tense between the Great Powers after 1945.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. Marshall Aid was part of the Marshall Plan.
3. Marshall Aid was financial aid.
4. It was introduced by Truman / General Marshall.
5. It was also known as the European Recovery Programme.
6. It was announced in 1947.
7. The aim was to stabilise the economies of Europe to prevent them from falling to Communism.
8. It lasted for four years.
9. $13.3 billion was provided / USA provided money.
10. It was part of the containment policy.
11. It opened up the market for the USA.
12. It was offered to communist states.
13. Stalin did not allow eastern European states to accept the aid.
14. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
15. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
16. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
17. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
18. e.g. 'Stalin wanted to control the governments of the states in Eastern Europe in order to create a buffer zone between the USSR and the West. Russia had been invaded from the west in both the First and Second World Wars and he thought that if he controlled the governments in neighbouring states, he could prevent this happening in the future.'
19. e.g. 'Stalin wanted to create a buffer zone between the USSR and the West.'
20. 'He wanted to avoid being invaded from the west.'
21. 'He could use the resources of the Eastern European states to rebuild the Soviet economy.'
22. 'He could expand the influence of the USSR / to spread communism.'
23. e.g. 'The Eastern European states would be friendly to the USSR.'
24. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
25. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
26. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5-6 marks
27. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
28. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
29. e.g. 'Truman replaced Roosevelt at Potsdam and, being anti-communist, he was not willing to negotiate with Stalin. He interpreted the Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe as the start of spreading communism around the world.'
30. OR e.g. 'Stalin was the cause of tension because he had not carried out his promise, made at Yalta, to organise free elections in Poland. He also disagreed over the future of Germany and demanded access to the industrial heartland of the Ruhr. The United States and Britain wouldn't agree to his demands.'
31. e.g. 'The US had developed the atomic bomb.'
32. 'Roosevelt had been replaced by Truman who was not experienced in foreign policy or in handling Stalin.'
33. 'Churchill was replaced by Attlee. He was more interested in sorting out affairs in Britain.'
34. 'Stalin had left his troops in liberated countries in Eastern Europe.'
35. 'There was no longer a common enemy.'
36. 'Truman thought Stalin was preparing to take over all of Europe.'
37. 'Stalin wanted compensation from Germany.'
38. 'Stalin had set up a Communist government in Poland.'
39. 'Stalin and Truman had different ideologies.'