OCR A Level History A African Kingdoms 2025 Question Paper

Download the official OCR A-Level History A African Kingdoms c.1400–c.1800: Four Case Studies question paper for the June 2025 examination series (Y209/01). This advanced OCR History paper explores the Songhay Empire, the Mali Empire, Benin, Oyo, trade patterns, succession crises, military development, religion, and African political systems within the OCR A-Level History specification.

The paper contains comparative and thematic essay questions covering whether the collapse of the Mali Empire or military factors were more important in the rise of the Songhay Empire, the impact of religion on the politics and society of Oyo between 1608 and c.1800, whether changing patterns of trade or succession crises were more important in the decline of Benin, and how important the economy was in the development of the Songhay Empire. Students are required to evaluate historical interpretations, analyse causation and significance, and construct balanced historical arguments supported by detailed historical evidence.

This official June 2025 paper includes analytical essay tasks and comparative evaluation questions requiring historical reasoning, historiographical analysis, chronological understanding, and sustained judgement under timed examination conditions. Topics explored include Songhay, Mali, Benin, Oyo, African trade networks, military expansion, succession disputes, religion, and political development in African kingdoms between c.1400 and c.1800. Pair it with the matching Y209/01 mark scheme on markscheme.net for complete examiner-style revision and worked-answer support. Updated for the 2025/2026 academic year, optimised for mobile and desktop, and instantly downloadable from markscheme.net — your fastest route to top-grade OCR A-Level History revision.

This document is designed for A-Level students studying OCR History A African Kingdoms c.1400–c.1800: Four Case Studies, including Year 13 candidates preparing for the 2026 examination series, retake students targeting A/A* grades, independent learners, and home-schooled students revising African empires and kingdoms.

It is also highly useful for teachers, private tutors, revision-course providers, and parents supporting OCR History revision at home. Use this official OCR question paper for timed mock examinations, essay-planning exercises, source analysis practice, historiography workshops, and examiner-standard preparation using authentic OCR assessment materials.