Many factors contributed to the outbreak of war in 1939.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. It was an agreement between Germany, Italy and Japan.
3. They would work together to stop the spread of communism.
4. It was aimed against the USSR.
5. Germany and Japan signed in 1936.
6. Italy joined a year later.
7. It is also known as the Axis Alliance.
8. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
9. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
10. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
11. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
12. e.g. 'Having signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Hitler did not think that Britain and France would do anything to stop him and so he ignored their guarantee to help Poland. He knew they had appeased him in the past and believed that they would do the same this time.'
13. e.g. 'Hitler didn't believe that Britain and France would fight.'
14. 'The Nazi-Soviet Pact made Hitler more confident.'
15. 'Britain and France had appeased Hitler's policy up until this point.'
16. 'Hitler thought he had a strong claim over Poland and would be unopposed.'
17. 'Hitler was always determined to conquer Poland.'
18. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
19. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
20. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5-6 marks
21. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
22. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
23. e.g. 'Britain and France had no choice but to let Hitler takeover the Rhineland. Both countries were economically weak following the Depression and both wanted to take care of internal domestic issues. France was in the middle of an economic crisis and was facing elections so they were in no position to fight.'
24. OR e.g. 'The British had a choice to stop Hitler but did not do so because they believed that Hitler was only marching into land which was rightfully German. They thought the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany.'
25. e.g. 'Britain and France lacked the will to stop Hitler.'
26. 'France was facing an economic crisis.'
27. 'France was facing elections.'
28. 'The British believed that Hitler had a right to be in the Rhineland.'
29. 'Hitler knew many people in Britain thought it was 'his own back yard.'
30. 'The British thought the Treaty of Versailles was too hard on Germany.'
31. 'Neither Britain nor France was prepared to risk a war.'
32. 'France would not act without British support.'
33. 'Britain and France were more concerned over Abyssinia.'
34. 'It was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles.'
35. 'France and Russia had made a Mutual Assistance Pact.'