History Paper 1

Question 1

What does Source A reveal about Sadat’s reasons for attacking Israel in October 1973?

Answer 1

 To try and persuade Israel to make peace so that Egypt could regain the Sinai and reopen the Suez canal;
 To attract the attention of the US to the problems in the Middle East;
 To find a way of aligning with the West;

Question 2

What is the message conveyed by Source B?

Answer 2

 There is tension in the Middle East;
 There is suspicion of Brezhnev’s intentions
 Brezhnev is shown as implacable and non-cooperative.

Question 3

Compare the views expressed in Sources C and D about the events of October 1973.

Answer 3

For “compare”
 Both agree that Egypt and Syria attacked Israel;
 Both agree that they were pushed back by Israel after some days;
 Both agree that the superpowers were involved in establishing a ceasefire

Question 4

contrast the views expressed in Sources C and D about the events of October 1973.

Answer 4

For “contrast”
 Source D mentions policy differences between Egypt and Syria; Source C does not;
 Source C focuses more on the causes of the 1973 war, whereas Source D considers its consequences;
 Source C mentions the role of the United Nations in achieving a ceasefire, D makes no reference to this.

Question 5

With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the value of Source A and Source E for historians studying the October War of 1973.

Answer 5

Source A
Value: As it was written by a group of academics the book should be well researched. The publication date allows the benefit of hindsight with regard to the events of 1973.
Source E
Value: Immediacy of this source. Provides evidence of the attitude of the international community at the time.

Question 6

With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the limitations of Source A and Source E for historians studying the October War of 1973.

Answer 6

Source A
Limitations: As it is a history of the whole twentieth century it will have limited detail of the events of October 1973. Also, because it was published in London, it may only offer a western perspective.
Source E
Limitations: Immediacy means that it cannot show how the belligerents actually responded. Also the U.N.’s pacific intent may not reflect the reality.

Question 7

OWN KNOWLEDGE

Answer 7

Egypt’s pride was restored after the humiliation of 1967, meetings began in Geneva between the two sides, and Kissinger’s “shuttle diplomacy” began which facilitated the peace process. The reopening of the Suez Canal in 1975, which would help the Egyptian economy, was agreed.