The years before 1914 were characterised by tension in Europe.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Germany had a plan of attack called the Schlieffen Plan.
2. [1] The Army Act of 1913 allowed Germany to expand their army.
3. [1] The German army numbered almost 1 million men by 1914.
4. [1] Germany had built a High Seas Fleet under Admiral Tirpitz.
5. [1] Von Moltke was Chief of Staff for the German army.
6. [1] The Germans planned to knock out France first and then fight Russia.
7. [1] Germany increased the army.
8. [1] Germany Increased the navy.
9. [1] They planned to avoid a war on two fronts.
10. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
11. [5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason (e.g. The Alliance System failed to prevent war as it created two armed camps, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. A dispute between one of the members of each camp could well involve other members. This could escalate into war.)
12. [1] Europe was divided into two armed camps.
13. [1] If one country was attacked, the crisis would escalate quickly.
14. [1] When the assassination took place, Austria acted against Serbia, backed up by Germany.
15. [1] Russia retaliated to support Serbia. This was likely to bring Russia's allies (France and Britain) into the war.
16. [1] Small disputes were more likely to lead to wider confrontations.
17. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)
18. [9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). This will be worth a mark of 7. Fuller explanation of one issue to be given two marks. An answer which only has one explanation on one side of the argument cannot be awarded more than 8.)
19. [6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides (More detailed explanation of one issue to be given two marks.)
20. [3] There was a threat of war over the 1911 Moroccan crisis. Germany thought France was about to seize power in Morocco and so sent a gunboat to the Port of Agadir. Britain thought Germany was trying to gain a naval base at Agadir. Tension rose as Britain supported its ally and threatened war if Germany did not withdraw.
21. [3] The launch of the super-battleship 'Dreadnought' in 1906 was important in raising tension in Europe because it led to the naval race between Britain and Germany. A race developed between the two countries to see who could build the most Dreadnoughts and this led to increased tension between the two countries. Previously Britain had considered itself the strongest sea power and the growth of the German navy was a threat to Britain.
22. [3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes (One mark for each point)
23. [1] The Moroccan crisis raised tension between Germany and Britain.
24. [1] The naval rivalry between Germany and Britain increased tension.
25. [1] The situation in the Balkans caused tension between Austria and Serbia.
26. [1] The Kaiser had an aggressive foreign policy and this caused tension.