Weimar and Nazi Germany,
1918 – 39
GCSE History Revision Guide
Name: ___________
Form: ____________
1
, How do I answer paper 3?
This page introduces you to the main features and requirements of the Paper 3 exam.
About Paper 3
The Paper 3 exam lasts for
• Paper 3 is for your modern depth study. 1 hour and 20 minutes (80
• Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39 is option 31.
minutes). There are 52
• It is divided up into two sections: Section A and Section B. You
must answer all questions in both sections. marks in total. You should
• You will receive two documents: a question paper, which you spend approximately 25
write on, and a Sources/ Interpretations booklet which you will minutes on Section A and
need for section B. 55 minutes on Section B.
The questions
Question 1 targets analysing, evaluating
Section A: Question 1 and using sources to make judgements.
Give two things you can infer from Source A about…. (4 Spend about six minutes on this question,
marks) which focuses on inference and analysing
sources. Look out for the key term ‘infer’.
Complete the table.
Section A: Question 2
Explain why …. (12 marks) Question 2 targets both showing
knowledge and understanding of the topic
Two prompts and your own information. and explaining and analysing events using
historical concepts such as causation,
Section B: Question 3(a) consequence, change, continuity, similarity
How useful are sources B and C for an enquiry into….? (8 and difference. Spend about 18 minutes on
marks) this question.
Use the sources and your knowledge of the historical
Question 3 targets the same skills as
context.
question 1. Spend about 12 minutes on this
Section B: Question 3(b)
question , which is about evaluating the
Study interpretations 1 and 2….
usefulness of contemporary sources.
What is the main difference between these views? (4
marks)
Use details from both interpretations. Questions 3b and 3c target analysing,
evaluating and making judgements about
interpretations. Spend about six minutes on
Section B: Question 3(c)
each of these questions, which are about
Suggest one reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 give
suggesting and explaining why the
different views about …. (4 marks) interpretations differ.
You can use the sources provided to help explain your
answer.
Section B: Question 3(d) Question 3(d) also targets these same
How far do you agree with Interpretation about …. skills. Spend about 32 minutes on this
question, which is about evaluating an
? (16 marks + 4 marks for SPaG and use of specialist
interpretation. Up to four marks are
terminology) available for spelling, punctuation,
grammar and use of specialist
Use both interpretations and your knowledge of the
terminology. 2
historical context.
, What are Sources and Interpretations and how are they used in the exam?
This exam asks you to analyse and evaluate both sources and interpretations, and you need different skills
for each.
Questions 1 and 3(a) Questions 3(b), (c) and (d)
Here you will be asked to read interpretations of a
particular enquiry or event from two different
Here you will be asked to look at sources. These
historians. Unlike analysing sources, interpretations are
sources could be propaganda posters, accounts
written after the time period or the event. They are
from people at that time, photographs or any
often written by historians or commentators who
written or visual source that is from the period.
express their views and opinions about historical
As the sources are generated from that time it
people, events and changes. As they are people’s views
is helpful to think about the nature of the
and judgements based on evidence there can be
source, the origin, who produced it and the
differences and sometimes clear disagreements, about
purpose for which it was produced.
what people think.
Content: What information can you get Bias: A source is still useful even if you think it is biased – it
directly from the source and its caption? It is can be good for assessing people’s opinions of an event, for
important to spend time reading and studying example.
source before you read the exam questions. Language: In written sources, the
author’s language should give you clues
Selection: What has the author / about whether they are biased or even
artist chosen to include? What Hints and tips for unreliable. Using appropriate examples
have they chosen to leave out? examining sources. by quoting directly from the source will
It’s important to consider both of help you gain better marks. Language
these when you are thinking can also tell you about the purpose of a
about reliability, usefulness and source.
purpose in a source.
Origins: The caption should tell
Purpose: the reason the source was
you who produced the source and
created could be one of the questions
when. The origin will help you
itself, but this will also help you to assess
assess its reliability, usefulness and
its reliability and usefulness.
purpose.
Hints and tips for analysing and evaluating interpretations
How complete? How objective? What is the chosen emphasis?
The interpretations can be Historians can hold different Sometimes, historians use the
different because they are views because they come from a same sources but reach different
concerned with finding out about particular school of thought. views because they place a
different aspects of the enquiry Therefore, their questions and different level of importance on
and may cover different ground. answers are shaped by their the same evidence. They may
Sometimes, historians set out to wider views of society and how it have access to the same material
look at one aspect specifically, works and has worked in the past. sources as each other, but will
whereas others may want to look This can have an important draw different conclusions about
at related issues in a broader impact on the judgements and the significance of that evidence.
3
sense. opinions they hold about
historical matters.
, What was the impact of the First World War on Germany?
The First World War ended in 1918 and left Germany scared and crumbling, having been defeated by the combined
force of Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the USA. Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party, became the
first German president and declared Germany a republic. The Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II (Emperor)
What was the impact of the First World War on
Germany? Timeline 9 November 1918
• Two million German troops died and over four The Kaiser visited army headquarters in
million were wounded (11 million in total fought in Spa.
the war). Ministers tried to persuade the Kaiser to
10 abdicate.
• Government debts increased from 50 billion marks
November The Kaiser refused
to 150 billion marks.
1918 Army officers refused to support the
• More than 750,000 Germans died because of food
The Kaiser Kaiser
shortages.
fled to The Kaiser had no option but to
The devastating effects of the war left many people with
Holland.. abdicate.
no option other than to revolt by striking and rioting.
Revolution and the Declaration of the Republic
Once the Kaiser had abdicated, the German Republic was declared on 9 November 1918.
Philipp Scheidemann, of the Social
On 10th November, Friedrich Ebert Democratic Party (SDP) the largest party
suspended the old Reichstag and in the German government (Reichstag),
formed the Council of People’s declared the new Republic to the
Representatives as a temporary crowds. He was fearful that armed
measure. rioters were preparing to declare a
The Berlin street were crowded. communist government in Berlin, and,
Some people were armed, hoping keen to prevent this, he promoted a
to take over parts of the city. peaceful transition.
Scheidemann talking to the crowds The Revolutionary period continued until
from a window of a house in Berlin, August 1919, when the Weimar Republic
9 November 1918. was eventually established.
The armistice – the peace agreement
between Germany and the Allies.
• It was signed on 11th November 1918
• It was the first major decision of Ebert’s new
government.
War leaders outside the
• The terms of the peace, the Treaty of
railway carriage where
Versailles, became a very big burden for the the armistice was signed
country, on 11 November 1918.
Why did the end of the First World War lead to economic and political problems for Germany?
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