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AQA · GCSE · History · Higher

Comparing interpretations of the American Civil War

Q01.1 4 marks

How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the American Civil War? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.

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Marking points

  1. 1 Identifies a relevant difference between Interpretation A and Interpretation B.
  2. 2 Uses content from both interpretations rather than treating only one interpretation in isolation.
  3. 3 Explains the difference with developed reasoning for Level 2.
  4. 4 Avoids relying on provenance because provenance is not credited for this question.

Full-mark answer

Interpretation B differs from Interpretation A because B presents the South as fighting for self-government and losing because the odds against it were too great. Interpretation A instead says the Civil War was fought over slavery, blames the South for starting it, and says the North won because it was morally right.

Why this answer loses marks

Interpretation A says the war was about slavery. Interpretation B talks about the South.

This names content but does not set the two views against each other, so the difference is not developed.