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Edexcel A2 History - Germany 1900-45 - Monday 8th June 2015 [Exam Discussion Thread]

*** OFFICIAL EDEXCEL HISTORY 6HI03 D1 KAISER TO FÃœHRER JUNE 2015 EXAM DISCUSSION THREAD ***

Date: 8th June 2015
Time: 09:00am
Duration: 2h 00m

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ORIGINAL KAISER TO FÃœHRER 1900-45 MEGATHREAD:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1633199

tggfootymad's recommended Oxbridge Notes guide:
http://www.oxbridgenotes.co.uk/notes/university-of-oxford/2014/edexcel-a-level-history-kaiser-to-fuhrer-germany-1900-45-notes

Spoiler




Broad analysis



Political Parties and groups in Germany

SDP - (Socialist/Social Democratic)
DAP- (Nationalist)
DNVP- (National-conservative)
Spartacus League
KPD - Communist
BVP - Conservative/ Christian Democratic
NSDAP - National Socialist

Information on particular issues.

The Arms Race (1905-14)
Statistics of the Arms Race

The Moroccan Crisis (1905-6)

The Daily Telegraph Affair (28 October, 1908)
Document from the Affair

The Haldane Mission
Document from the Mission (Feb 1912)

Books of interest -
Imperial Germany 1871-1918


Broadly speaking, your course is split into a number of issues and controversies

•

Controversy one - to what extent was Germany responsible for WW1? The main things you need to look at are German foreign policy c.1900-14 and the controversy surrounding Germany's 'war guilt'

•

Controversy two - how popular was the Nazi regime and how effectively did the Nazi state operate from 1933-39? The main issues for this one are degree of consent the Nazi regime received, extent to which this was reliant on terror and repression, the role of Hitler, cumulative radicalisation and whether Nazi state was a chaotic 'polycracy'.


.
But there are other issues that must be considered before tackling either controversy

•

The German Empire (1871 to 1918)

•

Weimar Republic (1919 to 1933)

•

The rise of the NSDAP/Nazi Party (1925 to 1933)

•

The Second World War (1939 to 1945)

•

The Final Solution (Jan 20, 1942 to 1945)



How long is the paper and how many marks is each question worth?

•

Two questions – Section a) 30 marks. Section b) 40 marks

•

70 marks in total

•

50-55 minutes, including planning should be spent on Section A

•

65-70 minutes, including planning should be spent on Section B

•

Both units assume you have an understanding of the different historical perspectives relating to the question. Therefore historiography, not provenance is the most important aspect to understand when evaluating different perspectives.




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RESOURCES:

Spoiler

Part A:

30 marks. (I would) Spend 10 minutes planning and 40 minutes writing. Choice of two questions from anything in the entire course (except the controversies, I think!) Possible questions / areas include:

2nd Reich:

Kaiser’s responsibility for political problems faced by the Second Reich pre -1914.
The role of moderate reform in maintaining the political status quo pre-1914.
'The political system of the 2nd Reich was primarily an autocracy of the elites' How far do you agree?
Impact of WW1 on existing social and political tensions.
Reason for Kaiser’s abdication?

Weimar Republic:

Stability of the Weimar republic.
Impact of Versailles terms on the stability of the Weimar Republic.
How far do you agree that Germany experienced a period of political calm, economic development, and social progress in the period 1925 - 29?
To what extent was the collapse of the Weimar Republic caused by the lurch to the right by leading politicians after 1930?

Nazi Germany:

Rise of the Nazis.
Nazi consolidation of Power.
Reasons for final solution.
Reasons for poor WW2 War Economy.

NB: All of the above sample questions that I have included were ones created by my (very good) history teachers. They have chosen which factor to focus the question on, but the actual question could ask about another factor instead. In any case, include 4 or 5 factors.

Part B:


40 marks. (I would) Spend 10-15 minutes planning 55-60 minutes writing. Choice of two controversies: Germany’s role in causing the First World War and the popularity and efficiency of the Nazi state, 1933 - 39.

There are 24 out of the 40 marks on part b for source use, so USE THEM THROUGHOUT. As a set, have them drive your answer, using own knowledge throughout to support your argument.

WW1:

Germany's fault:
-Long term expansionist aims of Germany = wanted an Empire, Weltpolitik (use both Moroccan Crises as an example), Flottenpolitik and the antagonisation of the British.
-Use of War as a distraction from domestic problems? = SPD became biggest party in Reichstag 1912 elections, long-term political and economic problems created by Industrialisation + Urbanisation threatened the political status quo, many elites believed war was the best way to preserve the monarchy.
-Power of military = Zabern affair, military potentially pushing Kaiser towards War.

NOT Germany's fault:
-Actions of other powers = Britain engaged in arms race to defend its naval superiority and Empire, A-H's aggressive actions in the Balkans
'-> LINKS TO: -Fear of encirclement = all European powers only felt safe in the rising tension by increasing armaments and staying close to their loyal allies (Entente powers of Br, Fr + Ru. Central powers of Ger + A-H)

NB: If you are choosing this one you SHOULD be aware of the historiography surrounding Germany's blame, particularly Fischer's thesis. In the exam, you will probably get a source where you can comment something along the lines of " '.......' (Source A) rejects Fischer's opinion that Germany went to war on imperialist ambitions alone", or whatever. Link this back to the question though... "and therefore it can be seen how Germany's fear of encirclement was a crucial factor, more so than supposed imperialist ambitions", if that is your argument.

Pop. + Eff. of Nazi State '33 - '39:

Well, I am not choosing this one, as I feel there is more to learn and more could be asked of you. However, I can say that you should focus on these areas:

-Groups that it gained popularity with (e.g. Youth was the most popular?).
-Lack of opposition + reasons (e.g. Terror, propaganda?).
-Hitler's role as dictator in the Nazi regime.

etc.


How popular was the Nazi Regime 1933-39?

Spoiler



This post will contain notes uploaded by other users.
Contribution list

dancinginrainbows

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SirMasterKey

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Revision notes on our very own wiki

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http://fccfromkaisertofuhrer.blogspot.co.uk/
(edited 8 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown: Are you sure you’ve posted in the right place? Posting in the specific Study Help forum should help get more responses. :redface: Hopefully someone will be able to get back to you :h:
Reply 2
Had a mock in this today. Was on controversy (a) and the Weimar Republic. Does anyone have model answers for either topic?


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Original post by CD223
Had a mock in this today. Was on controversy (a) and the Weimar Republic. Does anyone have model answers for either topic?


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That's not a controversy though right? I thought Part B only was? Anyways what was the question my african american brother from another mother?
Reply 4
Original post by WilliamSlim
That's not a controversy though right? I thought Part B only was? Anyways what was the question my african american brother from another mother?


Sorry, to clarify, I meant Controversy A to mean Germany and her responsibility for World War One.

Part A was "to what extent were political extremists the most serious threat to the Weimar Republic 1919-24?"

Part B was "The First World War was not primarily caused by German aggression. How far do you agree?"


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Hi, I'm doing History too but am really struggling with everything :frown: any revision tips? I really find it hard to get all the info to stick in :frown: also anyone have any perfect answers so I can get a grade A or B?
Reply 6
Original post by tessimoghaddam
Hi, I'm doing History too but am really struggling with everything :frown: any revision tips? I really find it hard to get all the info to stick in :frown: also anyone have any perfect answers so I can get a grade A or B?


Hey there! I'm not sure about good answers, but have you got the my revision notes Hodder revision guide? The answers at the end of each chapter are gold dust haha.
My tip would be to use revision cards! I've got about 100 so far. Really snappy facts on each one. Go through them regularly and then plan an essay from a past year using what you've covered. Helped me last year and it's what I'm gonna do this year too :smile:


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Reply 7
Original post by tessimoghaddam
Hi, I'm doing History too but am really struggling with everything :frown: any revision tips? I really find it hard to get all the info to stick in :frown: also anyone have any perfect answers so I can get a grade A or B?


Maybe you could also do question answer plans for each type of question you could get in the tests? What I did and I got an A in the exam... getting a B overall :P Then you could do a whole question using your plan, or just learn your plan :P
Reply 8
Original post by Lee17
Maybe you could also do question answer plans for each type of question you could get in the tests? What I did and I got an A in the exam... getting a B overall :P Then you could do a whole question using your plan, or just learn your plan :P


I tried this for Russia last year and it worked well so I plan on doing so again this year! :smile:


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Reply 9
Can a moderator please move this from the A level section to the History section?


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Original post by CD223
Hey guys,

As it's a little under 6 months until this exam I thought I would make the thread for all people on here who are going to be taking it!

Date: 8th June 2015
Time: 09:00am
Duration: 2h 00m

Any resources or revision tips people are willing to share?


Hey, have you done the mock?
My teacher said we're not having a mock, but then said revise all the controversy bit because we're going to be assessed on a question... basically like a mock but on the topics we've done! :smile:

What sort of stuff did you learn for the controversy?
This is what i've been revising just now:
- the alliance system, all about the European powers, but i don't know how much i need to know about this?
- the different crises, how they escalated tensions, who was to blame for these
- something about diplomatic policy and whether Germany was being defensive/aggressive - where would this fit in?
- About the main factors for war starting (e.g. Great powers slithered over the brink) and whether or not Germany was to blame and you link these to the crises which acts as evidence
- Do you need to know much about particular historians and their views e.g. the all famous Fischer? lol
I'm so glad for this thread, the exam part of A2 history is actually quite difficult, compared to AS at least
Reply 12
Original post by DoTheEducations
Hey, have you done the mock?
My teacher said we're not having a mock, but then said revise all the controversy bit because we're going to be assessed on a question... basically like a mock but on the topics we've done! :smile:

What sort of stuff did you learn for the controversy?
This is what i've been revising just now:
- the alliance system, all about the European powers, but i don't know how much i need to know about this?
- the different crises, how they escalated tensions, who was to blame for these
- something about diplomatic policy and whether Germany was being defensive/aggressive - where would this fit in?
- About the main factors for war starting (e.g. Great powers slithered over the brink) and whether or not Germany was to blame and you link these to the crises which acts as evidence
- Do you need to know much about particular historians and their views e.g. the all famous Fischer? lol


Yeah I got 60/70 in the mock we just did :smile:
It sounds like you've learnt the main parts of what you need! Have you got the red Edexcel textbook? It's really helpful learning the content! At least in that, it does go into a bit of depth on Fischer and Wehler's ideas such as Primat der Innenpolitik etc. :smile:


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Reply 13
Original post by DoTheEducations
I'm so glad for this thread, the exam part of A2 history is actually quite difficult, compared to AS at least


It is certainly harder than AS! Hoping that a lot of revision will pay off come June!


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What evidence is there that weltpolitik made war inevitable? I'm trying to analyse these 3 sources and have no idea what they are on about or what evidence to use ImageUploadedByStudent Room1424882646.737192.jpg


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Reply 15
Original post by Nchomuzinda
What evidence is there that weltpolitik made war inevitable? I'm trying to analyse these 3 sources and have no idea what they are on about or what evidence to use ImageUploadedByStudent Room1424882646.737192.jpg


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I would quote the War Council meeting of 1912 and use it to explain how that shows Germany to be forward planning their naval expansion and how they anticipated war in 1914 to be the best time to go to war before Russia and France rearmed in 1916.


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Thanks! I've got a mock tomorrow hopefully it should be alright :/


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Reply 17
Original post by Nchomuzinda
Thanks! I've got a mock tomorrow hopefully it should be alright :/


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No worries! Ah! I've got a mock on Friday! Let us know how it goes - good luck!


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Did any of you guys attend the UCL institute of education conference for this exam today?
Reply 19
Original post by pearl_rose
Did any of you guys attend the UCL institute of education conference for this exam today?


I attended a very similar conference there at the end of November! How'd you find it?

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