Section A: European Option Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815-71 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question. Source A The student is a child, and the Burschenschaft* an impractical puppet show. I am not surprised that this student nonsense is on the decline or has turned to other things than politics. Indeed, there can hardly be a more ill-suited conspirator than a professor, either alone or as part of a group. The notion that revolution might be incited at the universities is something I have never feared, but I am certain that an entire generation of revolutionaries would develop there if no limits were placed on the universities. Perhaps the governments' disciplinary measures will contribute less fully toward this end than the fatigue of the students, the silliness of the professors, and the different direction that studies will take. The greatest, and therefore most urgent, problem today is the press. I am very pleased to tell you about the corresponding disciplinary measures that I am thinking of proposing at Carlsbad. These measures must begin without delay. From a letter by Austrian Foreign Minister Metternich to his secretary in June 1819. *The Burschenschaft was a Nationalist student club. Source B [Figure 1.1] A cartoon called ‘The Thinkers' Club', published throughout the German Confederation in September 1819. The caption reads 'The most important question of today's meeting: how long will thinking be allowed to us?' Source C The country where our hope resides, this beautiful land, is being ravaged and plundered, gagged and disgraced. Rich in resources, it should be the home of joy and contentment for all its people. Yet its blood is being sucked by thirty-four kings! It is the home of hunger, misery and poverty for most of its residents. Germany should be the guardian of liberty and international order in Europe, but German energy is being used for the very opposite purpose by suppressing liberty and founding an eternal empire of darkness. The dukes of Austria and the electors of Brandenburg have seized the greater part of Germany for themselves. The Emperor of Austria and King of Prussia use their powers to suppress freedom and popular sovereignty. They also use their dominance over the smaller countries of Germany to make those countries serve the system of princely autocracy and despotic force. From a speech by journalist Johann Wirth at the Hambach festival, May 1832. Source D I was sent for this morning by Prince Metternich whom I found in a state of much agitation. Metternich said the proceedings at Hambach had made the issue very clear. The question now was whether the sovereigns of Germany would give up their thrones without a struggle, or whether their authority would be reasserted by force. I had been warned that Austria and Prussia had agreed to employ their military forces for the suppression of revolt in Germany, a decision from which they have held back until now. It is obvious that this may be the start of more serious events to come. Metternich thinks that the mass of the people and the higher ranks of the bourgeoisie are still attached to monarchical government and are enemies to revolutionary ideas. However, he thinks the press, the professors, the students and the workers are actively promoting revolution. A report of Metternich's response to the Hambach festival by a British diplomat, June 1832. Answer both parts of the question with reference to the sources.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Similarities: Both sources suggest there is support for revolution and that the press is the main threat.
2. Similarities: Both sources suggest that Metternich thinks he will have to introduce repressive measures to counter revolutionary feeling.
3. Similarities: Both sources suggest that Metternich believes there are limitations to the extent of support. In Source A Metternich thinks the students are bored and the professors are 'silly' and not capable of leading a revolution. In Source D he suggests that some social classes are not interested in revolution.
4. Differences: Metternich's attitude is different. In Source A he thinks the students are childlike and easily bored. Although he wants to introduce measures against the universities, he seems quite confident that these will work. In Source D he is much more 'agitated' and seems alarmed by the level of support.
5. Differences: Metternich downplays the seriousness of the threat in A whereas he seems much more worried in D and is considering using military force.
6. Differences: In Source A, Metternich thinks his measures against the universities will work whereas this is clearly not the case in Source D. He is confident (maybe too confident) in A whereas in D is agitated.
7. Context/evaluation: The similarities / differences could be explained by reference to the Carlsbad Decrees which were introduced in 1819 following the murder of a German dramatist by a member of a German student society. These included inspections for universities, press censorship, a commission to investigate revolutionary movements. Radical student leaders were imprisoned and some professors dismissed. These are the reforms Metternich has in mind in Source A. By the time of Source D Metternich's reforms are clearly not working. The July Revolution in Paris renewed interest in reform in Germany and there were increased calls for liberal reforms. The folk festival at Hambach attracted 30 000 people, including workers, students and peasants, who listened to nationalist and revolutionary speakers.
8. Context/evaluation: Accept any other valid responses.
9. Support: Source B: this a satirical cartoon which was published all over Germany. This suggests that Metternich hasn't restricted the press quickly enough and there is a threat of revolutionary ideas spreading.
10. Support: Source C: the source is full of ideas about nationalism, power for the people and how those currently in control are illiberal and despotic. The fact that Wirth had a huge audience at Hambach suggests his ideas were popular and that revolutionary ideas are gaining popular support and therefore a threat.
11. Support: Source D: Metternich's reaction suggests that even he might be surprised by the level of support for revolutionary ideas. He sees the situation as either giving in and having traditional power collapse or use force to reassert power. This suggests there was a threat of revolution.
12. Challenge: Source A: students seem to be going off the idea of revolution – are bored with it. In any case, there will be repressive measures introduced to limit the activities of the press and restrict the universities. Therefore, this source could be used to suggest the threat is not serious.
13. Challenge: Source B: the thinkers are not allowed to speak to each other, and, at face value, this suggests they cannot spread radical ideas.
14. Challenge: Source D: some of the population don't support revolutionary ideas – 'the mass of the people and the higher ranks of the bourgeoisie' are enemies of radical thinking.
15. Evaluation: Source A: Metternich can use contextual knowledge to explain attitude / background. Candidates might discuss the content/context of the Carlsbad Decrees. Metternich appears confident at this point and dismissive – this could be discussed in relation to his successes in 1815 and afterwards.
16. Evaluation: Source B: A widely distributed source, published in the press (one of Metternich's main targets) so purpose / audience might be significant here. It clearly has a satirical purpose which can be discussed.
17. Evaluation: Source C: The impact / audience of this source is important. The audience at the Hambach festival would clearly have responded well to Wirth's radical ideas but this does not mean that his ideas enjoyed widespread support in society. Contextually, the festival took place not long after the July Revolution in France and so many people were openly talking about revolutionary ideas again which means this could be useful for taking the temperature in the country at this time.
18. Evaluation: Source D: audience / purpose important? Metternich could be playing to the gallery (this report will be sent back to the government in Britain) or he could feel that he has been tricked (Hambach clearly not the folk festival it was advertised as). Context could be useful in evaluating the source (July Revolutions in France). It could be suggested that Metternich is being over-confident/hubristic in assuming everything can be controlled when there was plenty of evidence of anti-Austrian feeling across the German states.
19. Evaluation: Accept any other valid responses.