The 12 Mark "Explain Why" Question (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note
Exam code: 1HI0
Summary of Question 2
Question 2 requires you to provide an analytical explanation of the event, development, theme or factor outlined in the question
This question will require you to use second-order concepts in your answer
This question has changed format since 2024
Previously, you did not have a choice of which 12 mark question you could answer
Now, you have a choice of two questions, in which you will need to answer one
Amount of marks | 12 |
|---|---|
The time that you should spend on the question | No more than 20 minutes 5 minutes of planning 10–15 minutes of writing |
An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:
In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in The USA, 1954–75:
Year of Exam | Question Topic |
|---|---|
2018 | The success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (opens in a new tab) |
2019 | US involvement in the Vietnam War under President Nixon (opens in a new tab) |
2020 | Opposition to the civil rights movement, 1954–60 (opens in a new tab) |
2021 | The escalation of the Vietnam War under President Johnson, 1963–68 (opens in a new tab) |
2022 | Increase in opposition to the Vietnam War, 1964–73 (opens in a new tab) |
2023 | US involvement in peace negotiations (1972–73) (opens in a new tab) |
2024 | Why the USA was not able to win the Vietnam War, 1964–73 (opens in a new tab) |
What are second-order concepts?
Second-order concepts are thinking tools historians use to explain the past
The second-order concepts are:
Cause and consequence
Change and continuity
Similarities and differences
Historical significance
For the example question, the second-order concept is cause and consequence
Question 2 (a) in the example question asks to explain what reasons why US tactics in Vietnam were unpopular
The focus of the two 12 mark questions could either be on the civil rights movement or the Vietnam War
How to answer an "Explain why" question
This question asks you to explain causes and consequences
You need to demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of the events or developments
In the exam, you will be given the option of two questions to answer
You only need to answer one question
You will not receive more marks for responding to both questions
You should put an "X" in the box next to the question you have chosen to answer
You will receive two stimulus points
These are areas of knowledge to discuss in your question
If you only discuss these two stimulus points, you cannot access Level 4 (9-12 marks)
You must discuss three areas of knowledge in your answer to access Level 4
You should always plan your answers before writing them. You should consider:
What three areas of knowledge you are going to use
For Question 2 (b) in the example question, you could include Stokely Carmichael, James Meredith and the 1968 Mexico Olympics
How they demonstrate cause and consequence across the time period outlined in the question
"Explain why" question structure
Your answer should include:
Specific and relevant own knowledge
The second-order concept in the question
A sustained explanation
A logical structure
Your answers could be written in PEEL paragraphs:
P — Make a point about the question
E — Use evidence that supports the point that you have made (K)
Use multiple pieces of evidence from the time period outlined in the question
E — Explain the question (SOC)
Explain how the evidence resulted in the event or development outlined in the question
L — Link your explanation back to the question
To achieve full marks, you need to repeat this structure three times
The question is out of 12 marks:
6 marks for a wide range of specific knowledge of the period and the topic (K)
6 marks for the analysis of the key second-order concepts (SOC)
Worked example of an "Explain why" question
Worked Example
2 (a) Explain why US tactics in Vietnam were unpopular.
(12)
You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. |
Answer:
One reason why US tactics in Vietnam were unpopular was that search and destroy missions were extremely aggressive and often harmed civilians. These operations involved American soldiers entering villages to hunt Viet Cong fighters, but they often lacked accurate intelligence (K). This meant that entire villages were sometimes wrongly targeted, leading to the destruction of homes and the deaths of innocent people. For example, during the My Lai Massacre in 1968, more than 500 unarmed civilians were killed and abused by US troops. Therefore, search and destroy missions caused widespread resentment among the Vietnamese and increased anti-war protests in the USA (SOC).
Another reason was the use of chemical weapons such as napalm and Agent Orange. Napalm burned through skin, and Agent Orange destroyed crops and forests, making life harder for civilians and leaving lasting health effects (K). These chemicals killed thousands and caused birth defects and diseases that affected future generations. Photographs of badly burned children and devastated landscapes were shown in the US media, which shocked the American public and turned many against the war. Therefore, chemical warfare was incredibly unpopular with the US public (SOC).
A final reason why US tactics were unpopular was that Nixon expanded the war. In April 1970, Nixon announced that the US military had begun bombing Cambodia to destroy Viet Cong supply lines. This went against Nixon's Vietnamisation policy, which promised the withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam (K). This angered the US public, who wanted a full US withdrawal from Vietnam as soon as possible. This triggered student protests, such as those in Kent State (SOC). Therefore, the fact that Nixon was widening the war rather than ending it made many Americans feel betrayed and caused further opposition to US tactics in Vietnam.
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