1918 brought defeat for Germany.

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 a morale booster for the Allies.
3. By March 1918 there were 300 000 US troops in France.
4. A further 800 000 arrived by July 1918.
5. The US bolstered the anti-submarine capabilities of the Allies.
6. They provided destroyers and merchant ships.
7. The US provided a huge range of troops, war materials and supplies.
8. US troops were fresh and not tired of fighting.
9. It devastated German morale.
10. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
11. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
12. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
13. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
14. e.g. 'The Germans agreed to surrender because they couldn't fight any longer. The Ludendorff Offensive made progress in March and April 1918, but a counterattack by Allied forces drove the Germans back inflicting over 400,000 casualties. This left the German troops exhausted and low in morale. In August, another 400,000 were taken prisoner, along with 400 field guns. Faced with such severe losses, the Germans could not fight on for much longer.'
15. e.g. 'The Germans had 1.75 million casualties in 1918.'
16. 'The breaking of the Hindenburg Line played into Allied hands.'
17. 'Influenza in the German Army created a lack of fighting soldiers.'
18. 'There was a feeling of war weariness among German citizens.'
19. 'The Germans could not resist the overwhelming number of guns, aircraft and tanks against them.'
20. 'Germany's allies, Turkey and Austria, were talking about surrender.'
21. 'There were unstable conditions at home.'
22. 'There were serious food shortages.'
23. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
24. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
25. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5-6 marks
26. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
27. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
28. e.g. 'The main long-term cause of the German Revolution was war weariness. The blockade of the German ports meant there were severe food shortages in Germany. This meant that there was declining support for the war effort from the German people and riots and demonstrations broke out across the country.'
29. OR e.g. 'One of the main reasons for revolution was the mutinies which broke out at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven when Admiral Scheer wanted a large naval assault on Britain's High Seas Fleet. Most sailors refused to return from leave or refused to sail.'
30. e.g. 'The long-term cause was war weariness.'
31. 'Riots broke out across the country against the war and food shortages.'
32. 'The stubbornness of Ludendorff and Hindenburg.'
33. 'The October Reforms transferred power to the Reichstag.'
34. 'Awareness an armistice was close.'
35. 'Influence of communist ideas.'
36. 'There were mutinies at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.'
37. 'There was political dissatisfaction with the Kaiser.'