AQA GCSE HISTORY: GERMANY, 1890-1945: DEMOCRACY AND DICTATORSHIP | ANSWERS

1 Germany before the First World War

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about German militarism? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Interpretation A suggests that German militarism made German people better, both morally and physically. Interpretation B suggests that German militarism made German people worse, as war was a ‘horrible’ and ‘inhuman’ experience.

An example of a Level 2 answer

Interpretation A suggests that German militarism was honourable, and that it made German people stronger both morally and physically (‘the best school for the physical and moral toughening of our people’). In contrast, Interpretation B implies that German militarism was not a ‘fine thing’ but that it made German people more ‘inhuman’ because fighting in a war was such a ‘depraving’ experience.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about German militarism? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

The author of Interpretation A was the German Kaiser, who strongly believed in German militarism and so would have wanted to write positively about it. The author of Interpretation B was a young man who was actually going to fight in the war and this probably put him off German militarism.

An example of a Level 2 answer

The author of Interpretation A was the German Kaiser, who strongly believed in German militarism and spent huge sums of money on expanding Germany’s army and navy, then took Germany to war. His belief in German militarism meant he would have wanted to write positively about it, and he also would have wanted to justify it after the horrors of the First World War.

In contrast, the author of Interpretation B was a German who volunteered to fight for Germany in the war. His account suggests he or people he knew of experienced terrible things during the first year of the war. This would have turned him against German militarism. In addition, he was writing to his mother and may have wanted to give her a particular impression of himself. He may have wanted to make it clear to her that he didn’t approve of the war, or that he felt volunteering to fight was a mistake.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about German militarism? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Interpretation B is more convincing because it shows how German militarism led to an awful war, which is basically the main point of militarism.

An example of a Level 2 answer

Interpretation A says German militarism is all about honourable things like making people morally stronger and being able to defend Germany’s hardworking people if other countries attack. But this isn’t convincing because really the Kaiser wanted to build up Germany’s military to attack other countries, which was what Weltpolitik was all about.

An example of a Level 3 answer

Interpretation A isn’t that convincing because it suggests German militarism was more about defence than attack, for example, ‘I wished our foes to pause and think a long time before they dared to engage with us.’ But this doesn’t align with the Kaiser’s policy of Weltpolitik, which would mean attacking other countries to expand the German Empire.

Interpretation B makes clear the consequences of German militarism (‘horrible’ war) and also gives an idea of what ordinary Germans might have thought of it. Interpretation B lists criticisms of militarism, for example, that it encourages young men to think ‘it would be a fine thing to kill a great many people’. This is convincing because I know that the experience of the First World War did turn out to be a disaster for German people.

An example of a Level 4 answer

Interpretation A claims that militarism was positive for Germany because it would stop Germany’s ‘foes’ from daring to attack it again. This is somewhat convincing because Germany was not an old and established country (before 1870, it hadn’t existed).

Interpretation A also states that militarism was important for Germany because other countries might try to take the ‘fruits of our industry’ from Germany. It is true that industrialisation had transformed Germany so that by 1913, Germany was producing more iron and steel than Britain and as much coal as Britain, which at the time was the world’s most powerful country.

However, this view of militarism as being important for Germany’s defence is not very convincing because of the Kaiser’s Weltpolitik, which was to try to conquer other countries and take control of their resources. That suggests instead that the Kaiser really wanted militarism in order to make Germans aggressive, strong fighters who would conquer other countries and take their resources.

Interpretation B has a very different view of militarism that I find convincing. Militarism encouraged all the things that the interpretation criticises: ‘enthusiasm for war in general’ and seeing war as a glorious adventure and a way of ‘distinguishing’ yourself. I know that socialism was popular among ordinary workers in Germany, who wanted big changes in the way Germany was governed to create a more equal and fairer society. When the author of Interpretation B talks about what he would do after the war, it seems like he wants to get rid of the Kaiser’s militarism and change the way Germany is governed so that war doesn’t happen again. This is a very convincing interpretation of the risks of German militarism.

4 Describe two problems faced by Kaiser Wilhelm II before the First World War. (4)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to expand Germany’s army and navy, but this cost him a lot of money.

An example of a Level 2 answer

One problem faced by Kaiser Wilhelm II was that he wanted to expand Germany’s army and navy but this was very expensive, and sent Germany into debt.

Another problem was that some German workers were rebelling against the poor working conditions caused by rapid industrialisation. The workers wanted to take power away from the Kaiser, which would make it harder for him to achieve his goals.

5 In what ways did the lives of German people change after Wilhelm II became Kaiser? Explain your answer. (8)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

After he became Kaiser, people got new jobs in industry because the Kaiser wanted to build up Germany’s industry.

An example of a Level 2 answer

New jobs were created in factories, workshops, and mines as a result of Germany’s industrialisation. This meant that people’s work lives changed, often not for the better, as they typically faced low wages and poor working conditions in these new jobs.

An example of a Level 3 answer

New jobs were created in factories, workshops, and mines as a result of Germany’s industrialisation. By 1913, Germany was producing more iron and steel than Britain, which had been the world leader in industrialisation. The new jobs meant that people’s work lives changed, often not for the better, as they typically faced low wages and poor working conditions.

As a result of the poor working conditions, many workers decided to support a new type of politics called socialism, in the hope that power and wealth in Germany could be shared more equally. Around one in three Germans chose to vote for the Social Democratic Party in the early 1900s, and many workers joined trade unions.

An example of a Level 4 answer

Kaiser Wilhelm was keen for Germany to industrialise. Germany’s factories, mines, and workshops developed rapidly, and Germany became very successful. This meant that many business owners and factory owners in Germany became very rich. Militarism was important to the Kaiser, and this had an impact on German people as well. For example, he expanded the army, and a series of Navy Laws between 1898 and 1912 led to the growth and modernisation of the navy. Taxes for Germans were raised and money borrowed to pay the huge sums of money needed to grow the navy and army. This sent Germany into debt.

At the same time, industrialisation meant big changes for ordinary working people too, who could now get jobs in factories. However, the workers were often unhappy because although the factory owners were making a lot of money, they did not use that to pay workers a good wage or improve their working conditions.

This situation led to another change: the growth in support for socialism among German workers. This was a political belief that all the money from industrialisation should be shared more equally between workers and factory owners. Around one in three Germans chose to vote for the Social Democratic Party in the early 1900s. This shift toward socialism was accompanied by workers joining trade unions and organising strikes in the hope this might force the Kaiser to improve their conditions.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason for the growth of socialism before 1914:

• industrialisation
• the structure of the German government?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Industrialisation contributed to socialism because it made workers unhappy with how much rich people in society were earning.

An example of a Level 2 answer

Industrialisation created a bigger gap in German society between rich factory and business owners and poor workers. This led the workers to support socialism because they hoped this would mean wealth and power would be shared more equally with them, so their wages and working conditions would improve.

An example of a Level 3 answer

Industrialisation developed Germany’s factories, mines, and workshops. It meant business and factory owners got much richer, but workers struggled with low wages and poor working conditions. This led more workers to support socialism because they hoped it would mean the wealth and power in Germany could be shared more equally. For example, in the early 1900s, around one in three Germans voted for the SPD, which campaigned for improving workers’ rights and conditions.

The structure of the German government meant that the Kaiser had ultimate authority. Although he was advised by the Reichstag and others, he could ignore all of them if he wanted to. This meant he could easily ignore workers’ rights and conditions. This is one reason why workers chose to support socialism, as they believed the only way to improve their situation was to organise together and hold strikes which would force the Kaiser and the Reichstag to listen to them. If people who cared more about workers had some power, then their lives might improve.

An example of a Level 4 answer

Industrialisation rapidly developed Germany’s factories, mines, and workshops so that by 1913, Germany was producing more iron and steel than Britain. It meant business and factory owners got much richer, but workers struggled with low wages and poor working conditions. This imbalance in wealth and living conditions led more workers to support socialism because they hoped it would mean the wealth and power in Germany could be shared more equally. For example, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) wanted the Kaiser to give more power to the Reichstag so it could introduce laws to improve working conditions and wages. In the early 1900s, around one in three Germans voted for the SPD.

The structure of the German government meant that the Kaiser had ultimate authority. Although he was advised by the Bundesrat, the Chancellor, ministers, and the Reichstag, he could ignore all of them if he wanted to. This was a problem for workers, as the Kaiser wasn’t interested in improving their rights and conditions. This is one reason why workers chose to support socialism, as they believed the only way to improve their situation was to organise together and hold strikes which would force the Kaiser and the Reichstag to listen to them. Some workers supported communism, which aimed to take power away from the Kaiser and give it to workers’ councils, who would govern Germany in the interests of working people.

Many German workers supported socialism because they were fed up with the poor working conditions created for them by industrialisation. Industrialisation was therefore a key reason for the growth in socialism. However, it could be argued that the poor working conditions were really a problem because the Kaiser wasn’t doing anything to fix them, and it was this that ultimately pushed workers towards socialism, making it the more important reason.

2 The impact of the First World War

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A argues that the purpose of the Treaty of Versailles was to ‘break’ German militarism and make Germany less aggressive, so it wouldn’t want to (or be able to) go to war again.
• Interpretation B argues that the ‘rage and shame’ caused by the Treaty angered German people and made war more likely.
• Interpretation A supports the view that the Treaty limited Germany’s aggressiveness, while Interpretation B supports the view that the Treaty increased Germany’s aggressiveness.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The author of Interpretation A was the prime minister of one of the Allies that won the First World War, and one of the negotiators of the Treaty. He would have believed that the Treaty could do some good and would have tried to make sure the Treaty would mean Germany couldn’t threaten the Allies with war again, by limiting Germany’s aggressiveness.
• In contrast, Hitler (the author of Interpretation B) had volunteered to fight for Germany in the First World War, which suggests he thought Germany’s actions in 1914–18 were justified. He had tried to overthrow the German government, which suggests that he was very unhappy that it had agreed to the Treaty’s terms, which said that Germany was responsible for the war.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is a convincing summary of the aims of the Treaty of Versailles. The Allies wanted to use the Treaty to both punish Germany and limit Germany’s power.
• Interpretation B is convincing about how the Treaty was received in Germany. The terms of the Treaty were harsh and also contributed to further problems for Germany, such as the hyperinflation crisis in 1923. Many Germans did feel angry and ashamed and this comes across in Hitler’s account.
• One reason why Interpretation A is less convincing is that it does not consider the consequences of the Treaty for Germany, such as the hyperinflation crisis (1923). It was not the aim of the Treaty to severely damage the German economy and cause great suffering to groups such as the elderly and small businesses, but that is what happened.
• One reason why Interpretation B is less convincing is that it does not recognise that the German government had no choice about signing the Treaty. The Allies made it clear that if Germany did not sign the Treaty, then it faced invasion and another war. That would have been much worse for German people than the peace agreed by the Treaty.

4 Describe two problems faced by German workers before the First World War. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Workers in German factories, mines, and workshops faced poor working conditions. This was a problem because it meant dangerous conditions that might injure or kill them or make them ill.
• These workers were paid poorly and also faced rising taxes (to help pay for the Kaiser’s expansion of the army and navy). This was a problem because it meant workers did not have enough to live on.
• The Kaiser was unwilling to share his power with others, for example to allow the Reichstag to pass laws to improve workers’ rights and conditions. This was a problem because it meant workers needed to find ways to make their views heard.

5 In what ways were the lives of the German people affected by the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Treaty gave away large areas of land to other countries, so many Germans that had previously lived in Germany were now ruled by another country.
• The Treaty reduced the size of Germany’s military, so many people connected with the military lost their jobs.
• The Treaty made Germany pay reparations, but Germany struggled to pay them. In 1922, France and Belgium sent 60,000 soldiers into the Ruhr after Germany did not pay its reparations. The German government ordered the workers in the Ruhr to go on strike. This affected the lives of these workers and their families, although the German government kept paying the striking workers. So, even though they’d lost their work, they didn’t lose their income.
• This action by the German government led to the hyperinflation crisis. This had many negative impacts for groups of German people.
• However, some German people did not suffer as much from hyperinflation. For example, those who had borrowed money in the past now found it very easy to pay off their debts.

6 Which of the following had the greater impact on German people under Kaiser Wilhelm:

• economic changes
• political changes?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Industrialisation under Kaiser Wilhelm led to economic changes as it increased the imbalance in wealth in society: business and factory owners became richer, but workers became poorer as the new jobs in the factories, mines, and workshops paid badly. This left German workers dissatisfied and less able to afford luxuries or even basic necessities.
• Another economic change under Kaiser Wilhelm was that money was poured into expanding and modernising the army and navy due to the Kaiser’s policy of Weltpolitik. Germany was sent into debt due to borrowing huge sums of money. German people also felt the effects of this change, as taxes were raised to pay for it, which meant German people had less money to spend.
• A political change under Kaiser Wilhelm was the growth of socialism, as more people wanted power and wealth in Germany to be shared more equally. Many workers wanted the Kaiser to give more power to the Reichstag to improve conditions, but some wanted the Kaiser and his government to be replaced entirely by workers’ councils. Some workers joined trade unions and took part in strikes.
• It could be argued that the economic changes had a greater impact on German people because they would have affected everyone who paid taxes or had a worker in the family: these working-class families would have had less money to spend in their daily lives. The economic changes also caused the political changes, so they were more important. If Germans had not struggled financially, then they may not have changed their political leanings.

3 Weimar democracy

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Weimar culture? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests that German culture in the 1920s was exciting, carefree, and fun. It also implies that Germans were liberal, open, and genuine.
• Interpretation B, however, says that while German culture may have appeared liberal and fun, in reality German society was divided.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about Weimar culture?
Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The author of Interpretation A was an American, so a foreigner to Germany. He may not have had as deep an understanding of German culture as someone who grew up in Germany, so only saw the surface-level excitement.
• The author of Interpretation B had grown up in Germany. This may have given him a more complex understanding of Weimar culture. In addition, Interpretation B may have been influenced by the author’s experience of being persecuted (as a Spartacist) by the Nazis.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about Weimar culture? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A talks about the arts and intellectual life being very ‘lively’. This is convincing: art, cinema, literature, and nightlife all flourished in the ‘golden age’ of the 1920s.
• Interpretation B is convincing because there was certainly a wide range of political and cultural views in Weimar Germany; some Germans (such as right-wing extremists or some wealthy business owners) did hate the government.
• However, Germany in the second half of the 1920s was relatively prosperous and peaceful, so it seems hard to believe that it was already ‘splitting into different parts’ or that it was a ‘completely negative world’ for everyone. There were no attempts to overthrow the government between 1924 and 1929. This makes Interpretation B less convincing.
• At the same time, it is true that not all groups in Germany benefitted from peace and prosperity in the same way. There was also opposition to the cultural changes of the ‘golden age’, which Interpretation A does not mention. That makes Interpretation A less convincing.

4 Describe two problems faced by Germany at the end of the First World War. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Germany was almost bankrupt, as a result of borrowing money to pay for the war and lending money to its allies during the war. This meant the country did not have the money to rebuild or pay reparations after the war.
• There were severe food shortages by the winter of 1918. This was a problem because this level of poverty led to strikes, unrest, and a mutiny in the army and navy. This mutiny led to the Kaiser’s abdication in November 1918.

5 In what ways were the lives of German people affected by cultural changes after the First World War? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Before the First World War, the Kaiser kept a tight control on all types of entertainment. These restrictions were removed after the war by the new Weimar government. This gave German artists, writers, and musicians freedom to experiment and express themselves in ways that were not possible before the war.
• The new freedoms meant that culture flourished, and Germans were able to enjoy a wider and sometimes edgier range of entertainment than before the war. Some Germans embraced these changes and enjoyed attending a wide range of cultural events.
• Other Germans, however, hated the changes and thought culture should represent older, traditional values. There were also groups such as farmers who did not see increases in their income after the First World War, or middle-class people who had lost all their savings because of hyperinflation. These people may not have had enough money for entertainment, even if they had approved of the cultural changes.

6 Which of the following were more affected by the First World War:

• the German government
• the German people?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The First World War forced the Kaiser to abdicate in November 1918, which led to the formation of a democratic republic. This was a huge change for the German government, as all adults could now vote to choose the President and the politicians in the Reichstag, which had not been the case before. The government also became more diverse, as instead of the Kaiser holding most of the power, it was shared more equally between a wide range of political parties in the Reichstag.
• There are various ways in which the war negatively affected the German government. The government lost a lot of support because the Treaty of Versailles was so unpopular. The war almost bankrupted Germany and this, combined with the large reparation payments, meant the government had very little money to spend on infrastructure or other areas.
• The First World War changed the lives of many German men, who went to fight in the war, and many German women, who went to work in factories for the first time. This gave German women more freedom than before the war.
• The war led to greater social inequality: some factory owners made a fortune during the war, while workers lost wages and struggled with severe food shortages. By the winter of 1918, many workers were surviving on bread and turnips.
• ‘War weariness’ also meant that many Germans felt exhausted. At the same time, the end of the war was a huge shock to most Germans, who felt betrayed by the politicians who had agreed to surrender to the Allies.

4 The impact of the Depression

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the appeal of Hitler? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that Hitler was one of many ‘political idiots’ with ‘mad ideas’, someone who was, at least at first, very hard to take seriously.
• In contrast, Interpretation B states that Hitler’s ideas were reassuring because they were based on traditional values, and because they promised a way to restore Germany from being ‘broken and destitute’.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about the appeal of Hitler? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The author of Interpretation A was a German Jew who faced persecution and spent two years in a concentration camp under Hitler’s regime. As a German citizen, it would have been difficult to believe that other Germans, formerly friends and neighbours, could be taken in by Hitler’s ‘mad ideas’ about Jewish people.
• In contrast, the author of Interpretation B was initially a loyal Nazi, working for the Nazi Party, but then turned against them. He may later have been ashamed of his initial loyalty and wanted to justify it by claiming he thought Hitler had good, well-thought-through intentions.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the appeal of Hitler? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is convincing because it reflects the lack of appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party before the Depression. But by July 1932, the Nazis had become the most popular political party. This makes Interpretation A convincing when it says that over time the author gradually changed his mind.
• Hitler’s message hadn’t changed since the early 1920s, but people’s reactions to his message did change between 1928 and 1932. Interpretation A recognises this change from Hitler having little appeal (not being taken seriously) to mass appeal. This is convincing.
• Interpretation B is convincing because it acknowledges Hitler’s rhetoric and propaganda, but also explains why Hitler appealed to people beyond that. For example, the author mentions a desire for traditional values, which Hitler championed when he came to power, and which some Germans felt had been lost in Weimar culture.
• The impact of the Depression was important in enhancing Hitler’s appeal as someone who was confident he had the answer. Interpretation B suggests that people ignored some of Hitler’s extremism because they believed he had the solution to Germany’s economic problems. This is convincing.

4 Describe two problems faced by Gustav Stresemann when he became Chancellor in 1923. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Hyperinflation in early 1923 had made Germany’s money worthless. A new stable currency was required.
• Germany needed a reduction in reparation payments and/or more money to meet the payments. Stresemann also needed more money to invest in Germany’s run-down industries.
• The First World War and the Treaty of Versailles had damaged Germany’s reputation and power. Germany had also been banned from the League of Nations; rejoining was a priority for rebuilding Germany’s international reputation.

5 In what ways did the lives of German people change between the end of the First World War and 1923? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• By the end of the First World War, there were severe food shortages. By 1923, workers were still struggling for food but for a different reason: hyperinflation had pushed up prices so much that food had become difficult to afford. Workers also struggled to buy food because many had lost their jobs, as the hyperinflation crisis caused many businesses to collapse.
• At the end of the First World War, Germany was in political turmoil. There was a mutiny in the navy and army that forced the Kaiser to abdicate. The Kaiser was replaced with a coalition government. This meant that German people could now help to choose and shape their government.
• The Weimar Constitution meant that many more Germans could vote in elections than before the First World War. All men and women over the age of 20 could now vote. At the same time, more equality for men and women upset some groups in Germany society, who wanted to keep traditional values.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason for the growth in the popularity of the Nazi Party before 1933:

• the Weimar government
• the appeal of the Nazi Party?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• A system of proportional representation combined with too many political parties meant there was no single majority party in the Weimar government. Instead, coalition rule meant a lot of arguing, and it was difficult for the government to achieve much. However, frustration with proportional representation did not boost the popularity of the Nazi Party on its own: the Nazis remained relatively unpopular until the Depression.
• The Weimar government struggled to take decisive action to help the unemployed or to lift Germany out of the Depression. As a result, many Germans were unhappy with the Weimar government and this pushed them towards alternatives like the Nazi Party, which offered clear policies and strong government.
• Richer Germans, such as business leaders and large landowners, were also unhappy with the Weimar government. They were dissatisfied with the new ‘fairer’ system of proportional representation because it meant they had less influence on the government. This also pushed them towards the strong leadership offered by Hitler.
• For many Germans, the Nazi Party was appealing because they appeared to be modern, disciplined, and strong. Hitler was also an inspiring and charismatic speaker, and many Germans would have heard him speak on the radio or at mass rallies.
• Hitler and the Nazi Party also offered hope to German people, which was an important part of the appeal of the Nazi Party during the very grim years of the Depression.

5 The failure of Weimar democracy

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about why Hitler became Chancellor? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests that Hitler became Chancellor because this is what the German people wanted. It also argues that Hitler was ‘destined’ to become Chancellor because he was the only person who could ‘make Germany great again’.
• In contrast, Interpretation B suggests Hitler’s appointment was more of a calculated political decision that ultimately came down to President Hindenburg rather than election results alone. Instead of it being Hitler’s destiny to rule, it says Papen believed Hitler would be controlled by the other members of the government.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about why Hitler became Chancellor? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The author of Interpretation A was a loyal Nazi who was close to Hitler. His memoirs were published after Germany had lost the war, so he would have been keen to legitimise Hitler by pointing out how many Germans supported him.
• In contrast, the author of Interpretation B was likely closer to the President than to Hitler when Hitler became Chancellor, because he was Head of the Office of the German President. This means he likely had a better understanding than Wagener of the political discussions that went on behind Hitler’s appointment.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about why Hitler became Chancellor? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is convincing because the Nazi Party did become the largest political group in the Reichstag after the July 1932 elections. People voted for the Nazis because, as Interpretation A says, they supported Nazi policies.
• It is true, as Interpretation A says, that many people had become frustrated with the failures of the Weimar government to respond effectively to the Depression.
• Interpretation B is convincing because it acknowledges that Hindenburg made the decision as to who to appoint as Chancellor. Hindenburg did not want to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, and only did so when he had no other options.
• Interpretation B is also convincing in saying that Papen and Hindenburg planned to limit Hitler’s power, which was to be done by appointing Papen as his Vice Chancellor and restricting the number of Nazis in the coalition government.

4 Describe two problems faced by German people during the Depression. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Millions of Germans lost their jobs as businesses and factories shut. This was a problem, as it made it hard to afford food and basic necessities.
• As people had less money to spend, they bought less food. This meant farmers had to lower their prices. This was a problem for farmers, as they struggled to make any profit.
• As millions of people lost their jobs, many workers began to join socialist and communist parties. This was a problem for middle-class and upper-class Germans who worried that a revolution would take away all their money and belongings to share with the working class.
• Politicians in the coalition government argued a lot and achieved very little. This was a problem because it made it seem like there was no clear way out of the Depression, and German people didn’t feel supported by the Weimar government.

5 In what ways were the lives of German people affected by international agreements made in the 1920s? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Before the Dawes Plan, Germany’s economy was in a bad state. The government couldn’t invest in infrastructure (which had been damaged by the First World War) and many Germans were struggling due to the hyperinflation crisis of 1923.
• In 1924, Germany and the Allies agreed to the Dawes Plan. This reduced Germany’s reparation payments and also included a loan of 800 million gold marks from the USA.
• Stresemann used some of the money from the Dawes Plan to improve Germany’s infrastructure, which created new jobs and helped Germans to become more prosperous.
• At the start of the 1920s, Germany was shunned by other countries and was no longer a great power. Difficult relations with the winning countries had even contributed to French and Belgian soldiers invading the Ruhr.
• International agreements made in the 1920s helped Germany to regain its international status and improve its relations with other countries. For example, the Dawes Plan required French and Belgian soldiers to leave the Ruhr.
• These agreements and others would have given German people a greater sense of security and stability, and contributed to their feeling of living in an era of peace and prosperity during the second half of the 1920s.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason for why Hitler became Chancellor:

• the Weimar political system
• Germany’s economic problems?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Weimar political system was based on proportional representation, which produced coalition governments. After 1929, the Weimar governments failed to find solutions to the huge challenges of the Depression. People became frustrated with these failures and looked to leaders like Hitler, who promised strong leadership and a quick fix to their problems.
• The Weimar political system was a democracy. In the July and November 1932 elections, the Nazi Party got the most votes both times. The Weimar political system was set up so the largest political party should lead the country, so Hindenburg eventually had no choice except to make Hitler Chancellor.
• The Depression hit Germany hard in the early 1930s. Millions of Germans became jobless and struggled to live. These economic problems had a direct impact on Hitler’s popularity; Hitler’s message hadn’t really changed since the early 1920s, but people were now desperate and willing to listen to his ideas. This suggests that without the Depression, Hitler would not have become Chancellor through the Weimar political system.
• At the same time, the economic crisis of the Depression made Germany’s Communist Party very popular among workers. Fear of communism was a strong reason why middle-class Germans voted for Hitler, because the Nazi Party fought communists and Hitler promised to defend Germany from a communist takeover.

6 The establishment of Hitler’s dictatorship

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the Reichstag Fire? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests the Reichstag Fire wasn’t a useful excuse for the Nazis to attack the communists; the interpretation argues the Nazis already had plenty of legitimate reasons to attack them, and the fire was in fact ‘inconvenient’ to them.
• In contrast, Interpretation B says that Hitler and other Nazi leaders saw the fire as being the start of a communist ‘revolt’, and Hitler called for the arrest and execution of Communist Party officials.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about the Reichstag Fire? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is an account by Goering to the Nuremberg trials. That gave him a strong reason to deny that the Nazis had anything to do with the Reichstag Fire or used it to their own end; he did not want to be convicted and face imprisonment or execution.
• In contrast, the author of Interpretation B was loyal to Hitler, but the Nazis then turned against him. He may have been bitter about this and willing to portray the Nazis negatively in his memoirs, perhaps even exaggerating how Hitler responded to the fire and threatened the communists.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the Reichstag Fire? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is not that convincing as it is not true that the fire proved ‘inconvenient’ to the Nazis. They used the fire to persuade Hindenburg to pass the Decree for the Protection of the People and State, which helped Hitler’s campaign against the communists and helped the Nazis gain more power.
• Hitler continued to use fear of the communists to persuade the Centre Party to support the Nazis in passing the Enabling Act. After that, Hitler no longer needed the support of the Reichstag or the President in order to pass laws. This might not have been possible without the Reichstag Fire.
• Following the Reichstag Fire, the persecution of communist officials that Interpretation B reports did occur. At first, this was focused on blocking communists from taking part in the March 1933 election and shutting down communist newspapers.
• Neither interpretation mentions the fact that a communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested in the Reichstag and convicted of starting the fire. Interpretation B suggests that the Nazi leadership had already made a decision about blaming the fire on the communists before any proof was discovered or put together.

4 Describe two problems faced by the German government as a result of the failure of Weimar democracy. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• One feature of Weimar democracy was that proportional representation meant small political parties could win seats in the Reichstag. Lots of different political parties with widely differing views made it very hard to reach decisions and pass laws. This became a serious problem in the Depression, when Germans wanted to see their government making effective decisions.
• The fragmentation of Weimar democracy meant that governments were coalitions, and these were unstable because the different parties making up the government fought with each other. That meant governments often did not last long, which was frustrating during the Depression when people wanted a strong government to help them.
• Another failure of Weimar democracy was that in order to get things done, the President had emergency powers to appoint a new Chancellor. The choice of Chancellor was down to the President’s personal preferences and could produce a Chancellor that had very little support in the government. This was a problem because these unpopular Chancellors were quickly forced to resign, adding to the sense of political failure.

5 In what ways did the lives of German people change between 1928 and 1933? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• In 1928, Germans were enjoying a period of peace and prosperity. Stresemann had helped the German economy to recover from the hyperinflation crisis of 1923. The Dawes Plan in particular helped to create new jobs, rebuild infrastructure, and boost the economy.
• The Depression then hit Germany hard in the early 1930s, causing factories and businesses to go bankrupt and close. Millions of Germans became jobless. Other German workers had their wages cut.
• The Depression meant many Germans struggled to feed themselves and their families, or to afford basic necessities, and they became desperate and angry. They felt let down by the Weimar government, which did or could not take decisive action to help people, and turned instead to extreme political parties, including the Nazis.
• While the Nazis were popular with groups such as farmers, wealthy Germans, and the middle class, they were less popular among workers. Many workers supported socialism and communism. After the Enabling Act was passed in March 1933, the Nazis began persecuting communists and banned trade unions. This had a big impact on workers.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason why Hitler became dictator of Germany:

• the Reichstag Fire
• German voters?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Hitler argued that the Reichstag Fire was part of a Communist Party plot to overthrow the government, and this persuaded President Hindenburg that more drastic measures were needed to deal with the communists and Germany’s problems. This led him to pass the Decree for the Protection of the People and State the following day. This suspended many freedoms of the Weimar constitution, such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press, fundamentally shifting Germany from a democracy towards a dictatorship.
• By blaming the Reichstag Fire on the communists, Hitler was able to stoke fear of them. This helped him to persuade the Centre Party to support the Nazi Party so Hitler could pass the Enabling Act. This gave Hitler the ability to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag or the President, effectively turning him into a dictator.
• German voters voted for the Nazi Party in enough numbers that they became the largest political party in Germany. This did not automatically make Hitler a dictator, but it did put Hitler in a position of power where he was able to demand he was made Chancellor and then manipulate the government into giving him even more power.
• Hitler also had made it clear in his campaigning that the Nazis would reject the coalition governments of the Weimar political system, and that they opposed the Weimar Constitution. It could be argued that people who voted for the Nazi Party wanted Hitler to be a strong leader, perhaps even a dictator.
• However, German voters did not make Hitler a dictator. When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, he was Chancellor of a democratic republic. It was only through stoking up fear of a communist uprising that he was able to overturn the democracy that had elected him and replace it with a dictatorship.

7 Economic changes under the Nazis

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about working conditions under the Nazis? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests that working conditions under the Nazis were poor (particularly in the National Labour Service).
• In contrast, Interpretation B suggests working conditions were better (particularly in factories) and that it was something the Nazis cared about.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about working conditions under the Nazis? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A was written by a German who took part in National Labour Service and describes his first-hand experience of the scheme.
• Interpretation B was written by a leading Nazi who supported the Strength through Joy scheme and would have wanted to portray working conditions under the Nazis in the best possible light.
• The two authors are also writing about different aspects of working conditions under the Nazis, with Interpretation A describing labour service, which the Nazis modelled on military service, and Interpretation B describing Strength through Joy, which was designed to keep workers happy.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about working conditions under the Nazis? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is convincing because the National Labour Service (RAD) did have tough conditions, involving manual labour such as digging ditches and very basic living conditions for workers, where they lived in a camp.
• However, Interpretation A does not mention that RAD labour service, although tough, was for six months only. It also does not talk about what conditions were like in other jobs, such as more permanent jobs, factory jobs, or office jobs, where conditions and pay were better.
• Interpretation B is convincing about the features of the Strength though Joy scheme, which was organised by the DAF (German Labour Front) to reward workers with cheap holidays and tickets for leisure activities if they met their targets.
• However, it is less convincing about the reasons for the scheme: instead of improving lives, the Strength through Joy scheme was designed to increase workers’ productivity at a time when workers had lost their rights, working hours had increased, pay had decreased, and food cost more.

4 Describe two problems facing President Hindenburg in 1933. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Depression meant that by 1933 a lot of Germans were jobless, desperate, and struggling to afford basic necessities. This was a problem for Hindenburg because his government had struggled to take decisive action to help people.
• The Nazi Party had become the largest party in the Reichstag. This was a problem for Hindenburg because it meant the Nazis should become part of the government, but Hindenburg thought they were disruptive and violent.
• The Centre Party was becoming much less popular in 1933. This was a problem for Hindenburg because he wanted Centre Party leaders such as Brüning and Papen to be Chancellor, but they did not have enough support. So, eventually, Hindenburg had to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.

5 In what ways did the lives of German people change following the Reichstag Fire in 1933? Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Before the Reichstag Fire in 1933, Germany was a democracy. But as a result of the Nazis’ response to the Reichstag Fire, German people quickly lost their ability to elect their leaders and take part in a democratic system.
• During the 1920s, Germans had free speech and were able to criticise the government publicly. Following the Reichstag Fire, many of the freedoms of the Weimar Constitution were suspended, and it became dangerous for German people to speak out against the Nazis.
• Before 1933, German workers could join trade unions, which protected workers’ rights and helped to improve pay and working conditions. But Hitler’s crackdown on socialism and communism following the Reichstag Fire meant all trade unions were banned, and workers lost their rights and protections.
• Before the Reichstag Fire, Germans had access to hundreds of different newspapers featuring many different political views. Following the Reichstag Fire, freedom of the press was suspended and newspapers were shut down. As a result, soon German people only had access to Nazi Party views and propaganda.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason for Germany’s recovery under Nazi rule (1933–1939):

• Nazi work schemes
• rearmament?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Nazi work schemes contributed to Germany’s recovery by providing employment, which meant families started earning more and this helped the economy to recover. However, the National Labour Service only employed men for six months.
• Nazi work schemes also helped Germany to recover by improving infrastructure such as autobahns.
• Rearmament created millions of jobs, particularly after the Four Year Plan was introduced in 1936. Further ‘jobs’ were created when Hitler introduced conscription in 1935, which meant all men aged 18 to 25 were required to join the armed forces for at least two years.
• However, the focus on rearmament also had negative effects, such as a neglect of other industries which could have helped Germany’s recovery.
• Because the Depression had caused so much unemployment, Germany’s recovery under the Nazis is often measured in terms of a massive reduction in unemployment, from 6 million in 1933 to 1 million by 1938. But these figures counted men in temporary public work schemes and men conscripted into the army as employed and left out women and German Jews excluded from work.

8 Social policy and practice under the Nazis

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about awareness of Nazi persecution? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests that many Germans weren’t aware of the extent of Nazi persecution or learned about it only through foreign broadcasts by Germany’s enemies, so it was easy to disbelieve.
• In contrast, Interpretation B suggests that Nazi persecution was almost impossible to ignore because there was evidence of it happening before people’s eyes, such as Jews being attacked or arrested.
• Interpretation B also implies that Germans were aware of Nazi persecution but chose to ignore or even support it.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about awareness of Nazi persecution? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A was written by a German woman whose husband was an anti-Hitler activist and who was clearly anti-Nazi herself. As a German citizen, she was in a position to report what ordinary people, her neighbours, said about Nazi persecution.
• In contrast, Interpretation B was written by a foreigner who had no allegiance to Germany and was, to an extent, protected by his status as a journalist: he was much more free to write about what he saw than German citizens were free to talk about what was happening around them.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about awareness of Nazi persecution? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is convincing because we know from multiple historical sources that Jewish people were persecuted in Germany before the war and, during the war, were deliberately worked to death or murdered in concentration camps: what Interpretation A says was happening did happen.
• Interpretation A is also convincing about the propaganda that German people were exposed to, with no other sources of information. As a result, German people would have been told that Jewish people were being removed from German society, but no impression would have been given that they were being murdered in the way that Interpretation A claims.
• Interpretation B is convincing because large-scale events such as the November Pogrom (‘Kristallnacht’) were impossible to ignore, and all German citizens would have known about the Nuremberg Laws and the other laws brought in to discriminate against Jewish people.
• Interpretation B is less convincing because it does not mention the role of propaganda and indoctrination in convincing people that the Nazis were acting correctly, nor does it mention the very high risk that people took if they criticised the Nazi regime in any way.

4 Describe two problems faced by Hitler after the election in March 1933. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Just over six million Germans were unemployed as a result of the Depression. Hitler needed to drastically reduce this figure to help improve the German economy and to keep German people happy with the Nazi regime.
• As Chancellor, Hitler was still required to work with the Reichstag and the President in order to get new laws passed. This was a problem for the Nazis because the other parties would not be likely to vote for everything Hitler wanted to do.
• The Treaty of Versailles was a major problem for Hitler, who wanted to rebuild Germany’s military and expand Germany’s territories again, both of which were banned under the Treaty.

5 In what ways were the lives of German people affected by preparations for war in the 1930s?
Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Rearmament was a large part of Germany’s war preparations. It created millions of jobs in factories, textile mills, and shipbuilding yards. These changes meant that millions more men worked in areas linked to war preparation in the 1930s.
• Conscription was introduced to expand the size of the army. So, from 1935, all men aged 18 to 25 were required to join the armed forces for at least two years. This would have affected the lives of young German men, and also the lives of their families and friends.
• How people were rewarded for their jobs changed. Those working in industries connected to rearmament were likely to gain higher wages, while those in other industries were paid poorly. Long hours and hard work were needed to get Germany ready for war; to encourage this, the Strength through Joy scheme rewarded workers with cheap holidays and tickets for leisure activities if they met their targets. For some workers, the higher wages and Strength through Joy rewards would have improved their lives for the better.
• War preparations in the 1930s affected Germany’s food supplies. Hitler wanted Germany to become self-sufficient before the next war, which meant cutting down on food imports. German farmers benefitted from this, as the Nazi Party cut their taxes and increased their wages to help them to grow more food. However, other Germans suffered as food prices rose, because there was less food in the shops as Germany tried to cut down on imports.

6 Which of the following had the greater impact on the German people under Nazi rule:

• control of education
• control of the Churches?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• All areas of education were controlled by the Nazis, and young people were bombarded with Nazi propaganda to indoctrinate them into supporting Nazi beliefs. This would have had a huge impact on young people, as it would have affected both what they learned and their attitudes towards the Nazi Party.
• Young people were also educated in Nazi beliefs in the Hitler Youth, which was controlled by the Nazi Party. Membership was made compulsory in 1939. This organisation also affected what young people learned, which differed between girls and boys.
• The Nazis had less control over the Churches. It is true that after the Pope criticised the Nazis in 1937, Catholic priests who spoke out against the regime were arrested. While the arrests probably prevented many Catholics from calling out the clear conflict between Christian teachings and Nazi rule, the Nazi regime did not influence Church teachings or practices in any other way.
• The Nazi Party was more successful in influencing some Protestants, since the ‘German Christians’ actively supported the Nazi Party. The Nazis also persecuted Protestants who felt that Nazi and Christian beliefs were incompatible and who had joined the Confessing Church; the Nazis banned this Church in 1937. This meant that Protestant Germans who might have used the Church as a way of protesting against Nazi practices would have been taking a huge risk.
• While Nazi control of education therefore had a greater impact on German people, it is important to remember that some young people were not very interested in joining the Hitler Youth or in Nazi propaganda or actively resisted it. The extent of Nazi control of education might therefore have been less than it appears.

9 Control under the Nazis

1 How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Nazi propaganda? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A suggests that Nazi propaganda was convincing and very difficult to dismiss or ignore.
• In contrast, Interpretation B suggests that Nazi propaganda was not convincing because it was so ‘over-the-top’ and exaggerated.

2 Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about Nazi propaganda? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The author of Interpretation A was a German who lived under Nazi rule. Even though he had clearly learned how to resist Nazi propaganda, he also would have known many Germans who hadn’t and probably sympathised with them.
• Interpretation B was written by an English woman. Being from another culture may have helped her see Nazi propaganda more objectively. The fact that the British were portrayed negatively by Nazi propaganda (‘idiotic’) may have been annoying to an English woman.

3 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about Nazi propaganda? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A is convincing because Nazi propaganda extended into all areas of society (schools, radio, newspapers, workplaces, etc.) and so, like the author says, there were ‘very few possibilities for other information’.
• Interpretation B is convincing in giving reasons why some people were not convinced by Nazi propaganda. Groups such as the Swing Youth and the Edelweiss Pirates may have also not been taken in by the exaggerations and stereotypes of Nazi propaganda.
• Interpretation A is less convincing because it does not consider the groups that did resist Nazi propaganda and were not prepared to conform to it.
• Interpretation B is less convincing because it does not consider the ways that propaganda was backed up by the Nazis’ police state: people could get the death penalty for listening to a foreign radio station or telling an anti-Hitler joke. This meant that ordinary Germans needed to appear to believe propaganda.

4 Describe two problems faced by the Nazis in preparing for the Second World War. (4)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Germany’s rearmament required huge quantities of raw materials (such as oil and rubber), but Germany was not self-sufficient in these materials. This was a problem because in the First World War, Britain had blocked Germany’s ports and caused terrible shortages.
• Germany needed to produce more of its own food so it would not have to rely on imports during the war. So, the Nazis cut back on imports to encourage German farmers to produce more. This was a problem as it caused food shortages and meant food prices increased.

5 In what ways were the lives of German Jews affected by Nazi policies between 1933 and 1939?
Explain your answer. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• One main way in which German Jews were affected by Nazi policies between 1933 and 1939 was that they lost their freedoms and were restricted in both their professional and personal lives. These policies would have made it harder for Jews to go about their daily lives and to earn a living.
• Policies that aimed to segregate Jews from the rest of society that were introduced by the Nuremberg Laws would have made German Jews feel fearful and alienated. Such policies would have encouraged non-Jews to view Jews with increased suspicion and hatred and made the lives of Jews more of a struggle.
• German Jews were also subjected to physical attacks and worse as a result of Nazi policies, including the November Pogrom. Even before the war began, thousands of Jewish people were sent to concentration camps; the threat of being attacked or murdered would have caused many German Jews to live more fearfully and cautiously between 1933 and 1939.

6 Which of the following was the more important reason why there was limited opposition to Hitler:

• Hitler’s appeal
• Nazi oppression?

Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Many Germans admired Hitler and supported Nazi policies based on traditional values, which meant many Germans saw no need to oppose Hitler. Other Germans supported the Nazi Party because they were tackling unemployment and helping Germany to recover after the Depression.
• Hitler himself was also charismatic and inspiring; many Germans would have heard him speak at mass rallies and been persuaded to support him. A large number of Germans would have voted for Hitler since 1928.
• Nazi propaganda was very effective, especially when it was based on Hitler’s appeal, and by removing all other sources of information, people were not able to access views that would have encouraged opposition to Hitler.
• There were Germans who were opposed to Hitler, but Nazi oppression was widespread and brutal, and this made it very hard to speak out against the regime. Open resistance was met with extreme brutality.
• The natural opponents to Hitler in opposition political parties, especially the Communist Party, or within the Nazi Party, such as the SA, had been silenced. Many of those who might have led opposition against Hitler were in concentration camps or had been executed.