The 1950s and 1960s were characterised by changing international relations. DEPTH STUDY E: CHINA, c.1930-c.1990

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] 'Relations were very poor between China and Japan.'
2. [1-4] 'The KMT had fled to Taiwan.'
3. [1-4] 'The USA continued to support the KMT and saw the KMT as the government of China.'
4. [1-4] 'Relations with the Soviet Union were strained as Stalin saw Mao as inferior.'
5. [1-4] 'The Soviet Union agreed to provide financial support.'
6. [1-4] 'There were Communist forces in Vietnam and China offered aid and support.'
7. [1-4] 'The USA denied China its seat in the Security Council of the UN.'
8. [2-3] 'India published maps which China claimed were incorrect.'
9. [2-3] 'There were clashes along the border.'
10. [2-3] 'In 1962 war broke out between India and China.'
11. [2-3] 'China supported the Communist Party in India.'
12. [2-3] 'There was an uprising in India in 1967 which was supported by Mao.'
13. [2-3] 'In 1965 China backed Pakistan in a war with India.'
14. [4-5] 'In 1954, India published new maps which showed the boundaries between India and China. The Chinese complained that the borders were not correct and that over 100 000 square kilometres of land which was shown as Indian territory actually belonged to China. There were clashes along the border and in 1962 war broke out.'
15. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons (e.g., border disputes and differing allegiances in regional conflicts).
16. [2-3] 'Mao thought China was a purer Communist state than Russia.'
17. [2-3] 'Stalin and Mao disagreed over Korea.'
18. [2-3] 'The Soviet Union provided support for industrial development to China.'
19. [2-3] 'Khrushchev criticised the Great Leap Forward.'
20. [2-3] 'Mao disagreed with peaceful coexistence.'
21. [2-3] 'Mao thought Khrushchev had betrayed other communist states by trying to improve relations with the West.'
22. [2-3] 'Khrushchev's secret speech was seen as a criticism of Mao's leadership.'
23. [4-6] 'Ideological differences were important in explaining the changing relationship between the USSR and China. At first, the two countries seemed friendly and a Sino-Soviet Treaty was signed which included low interest loans from the USSR to China for economic development. However, soon Mao began to challenge the USSR's position as leader of the communist world and claimed that the revolution by the peasants in China was a truer form of Marxism than the Soviet model of a revolution led by the workers. Mao also disagreed with Khrushchev's idea of ‘peaceful coexistence'.'
24. [4-6] 'Although relations between Mao and Khrushchev got off to a good start, they deteriorated rapidly and this personal antagonism was partly to blame for the changing relations between the two states. In his 'secret speech', Khrushchev denounced Stalin's dictatorship and methods of control. Mao saw this as a criticism of his own leadership style. Mao also disliked the fact that the USSR looked for better relations with the USA. Khrushchev criticised Mao's economic policy and withdrew all Soviet experts from China.'
25. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). Fuller explanation of one issue to be given two marks. An answer which only has one explanation on one side of the argument cannot be awarded more than 8.)
26. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)