Germany's fortunes changed in 1918.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Germany was still fighting on the Eastern Front.
2. [1] All the reservists in Germany had been called up.
3. [1] The submarine campaign against Britain had failed.
4. [1] The US was expected to send large numbers of men to reinforce the Allied forces.
5. [1] The British blockade of German ports meant that the army was running short of food and armaments.
6. [1] News of shortages on the home front was affecting troop morale.
7. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
8. [5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason (e.g. The mutinies were important because the sailors refused to take part in a large naval assault on Britain's High Seas Fleet. The sailors were aware that armistice talks were on-going and most of them either refused to return from leave or refused to set sail on 30 October. This showed that Germany was losing control over its armed forces and that they could not continue to fight.)
9. [1] The sailors refused to follow orders.
10. [1] The commanders had lost control of their men.
11. [1] Soldiers' Councils were established.
12. [1] Industrial workers from Kiel joined with the Councils.
13. [1] Rioting spread across Germany.
14. [1] Naval commanders had to drop their plans to dispatch the fleet.
15. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)
16. [9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
17. [6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides (More detailed explanation of one issue to be given two marks.)
18. [3] The British blockade was a major reason for the defeat of Germany. It meant that Germany struggled to feed her population and keep the armaments industry going. Imports fell by 60% during the war. By 1917, the daily ration in Germany had been reduced to 1 000 calories and there were food riots across the country. It was clear the population would grow tired of war under this pressure.
19. [3] Another important reason for the defeat of Germany was the Battle of Amiens in August 1918. The Ludendorff Offensive in Spring 1918 had already turned the war into a war of movement. A combined attack by allied infantry, air and artillery forces drove the German line back by eight miles. The Hindenburg line was broken at the end of September and this made the defeat of Germany inevitable.
20. [3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes (One mark for each point)
21. [1] The British blockade caused even greater food shortages and discontent for the German civilians.
22. [1] The Germans could not service their armaments industry.
23. [1] German imports were reduced by 60%.
24. [1] The US army brought large numbers of troops.
25. [1] The U-boat campaign had been defeated by the convoy system.
26. [1] General Foch co-ordinated Allied defences and forces.
27. [1] Germany's allies, Turkey and Austria, were talking about surrender.
28. [1] The long-term cause was war weariness.
29. [1] Riots broke out across the country against the war and food shortages.