There were several fronts in the First World War.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The Germans wanted to lure the British fleet out into the North Sea.
2. [1] The British fleet left their base early.
3. [1] German ships sank HMS Indefatigable and HMS Queen Mary.
4. [1] The British inflicted heavy damage on German ships.
5. [1] German ships sailed for home under cover from submarines.
6. [1] The British fleet failed to catch them.
7. [1] Germany lost 11 ships.
8. [1] Britain lost 14 ships.
9. [6] (Level 4) The Allies were dismayed at Russia signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and regarded it as a betrayal. This was made worse when it became clear that the Russian defeat and the strengthening of Germany had made possible a major offensive on the Western Front. It began in March 1918. It was an attempt to win the war on the Western Front and for a time it looked as if it had a good chance of success with the Allies being pushed back almost to Paris. Eventually it doomed Germany to defeat. These events show the importance of the defeat of Russia.
10. [5] (Level 3) The Allies viewed Russia's Treaty of Brest-Litovsk as a betrayal, especially as it allowed Germany to shift significant resources to the Western Front, enabling a major offensive in March 1918 that pushed the Allies back towards Paris. This ultimately strengthened Germany but also hastened its eventual defeat.
11. [1] (Level 2) Large numbers of German soldiers could fight in the west.
12. [1] (Level 2) Large amounts of German armaments were moved to the Western Front giving the Germans an advantage over the Allies.
13. [1] (Level 2) Germany no longer had to fight on two fronts at once.
14. [1] (Level 2) It made Germany stronger.
15. [1] (Level 2) It prolonged the war by strengthening Germany.
16. [1] (Level 2) It made it even more important to find more soldiers in Britain.
17. [1] (Level 2) The extra German troops in the west allowed it to launch the Ludendorff Offensive in 1918.
18. [1] (Level 2) This made it much more difficult for the Allies to plan a peace based on conquest.
19. [1] (Level 2) Germany's massive territorial gains meant it took a lot of troops to occupy and defend them.
20. [1] (Level 2) It let Germany focus on the Western Front, increasing pressure on Allies.
21. [1] (Level 2) It made the arrival of American troops even more important.
22. [1] (Level 1) The defeat of Russia was very important. Russia was exhausted and there was a revolution going on in the country. The soldiers were starving and were deserting, so Russia had no choice but to ask for peace.
23. [10] (Level 5) Although the blockade of Germany did cause Germany much hardship, the U-boat campaign was a more important development. This was because it took almost no time to have a disastrous impact. It started at the beginning of 1917 and by the summer the situation was very bad. A few more months could have finished Britain off. The blockade did not have the same immediate impact.
24. [6] (Level 3) The U-boat campaign of 1917 could have won the war for Germany. The U-boats sank warships and merchant ships, especially the latter which were carrying supplies for Britain from the USA. They sank about 500 merchant ships and Britain was left short of food and other supplies. It even had to introduce rationing. The British government knew that if the U-boats were not stopped, Britain would lose the war. Several methods were used to defeat the U-boats – the convoy system, mines and Q-ships which were armed ships disguised as merchant ships. By the end of 1917, the threat from the submarines had been largely dealt with and Britain was saved from defeat.
25. [6] (Level 3) The most important development was the fact that the British navy had control of the North Sea for just about the whole war, and certainly after Jutland when the German fleet stayed in port. This meant the Royal Navy could blockade the German coast and stop supplies getting into German ports. The navy intercepted all merchant ships in the North Sea and looked for any goods that might help the German war effort, including food. By 1917, Germany was short of food and materials to make armaments. Many Germans were starving and there were riots. This was one of the reasons why Germany could not go on fighting in 1918.
26. [1] (Level 2) Britain had to introduce rationing.
27. [1] (Level 2) Britain was running short of food.
28. [1] (Level 2) Large numbers of merchant ships were being sunk.
29. [1] (Level 2) Q-ships were introduced.
30. [1] (Level 2) The convoy system was adopted.
31. [1] (Level 2) The use of mines became effective.
32. [1] (Level 2) By 1917, Germany was short of food and supplies.
33. [1] (Level 2) Germany's ports were blockaded.
34. [1] (Level 2) The British navy had control of the North Sea.
35. [1] (Level 2) The turnip winter of 1917.
36. [1] (Level 2) Riots and strikes in Germany.
37. [1] (Level 2) The Battle of Jutland.
38. [1] (Level 1) The U-boats were very dangerous. They could attack ships without being detected. However, I think there were other developments that were more important like the Western Front.