Fighting on the Western Front had reached a stalemate by the end of 1914. DEPTH STUDY A: THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1914–18

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] 'The Belgian Army was mobilised.'
2. [1-4] 'The Belgian government refused permission for the German Army to pass through Belgium.'
3. [1-4] 'There was fierce resistance from the Belgians.'
4. [1-4] 'The fighting to take Liège lasted eleven days.'
5. [1-4] 'Antwerp was laid siege to for twelve days.'
6. [1-4] 'The Belgian resistance slowed down the Schlieffen Plan.'
7. [1-4] 'Great Britain declared war on Germany.'
8. [2-3] 'The Germans wanted to get to the sea to cut off supplies to the British.'
9. [2-3] 'Whoever could get to the sea first would have an advantage and could win the war.'
10. [2-3] 'Neither side was able to gain an advantage over the other.'
11. [2-3] 'Two lines emerged with troops dug in on both sides.'
12. [2-3] 'The mobile war came to an end and the war became a war of attrition instead.'
13. [4-5] 'The race to the sea was important for the future of the war because it created a line of trenches which stretched all the way from the North Sea to the border between France and Switzerland. To prevent themselves being killed while they were racing to get to the sea first, troops on both sides dug trenches. This trench line hardly changed at all during the war and so the war became a war of attrition.'
14. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons (e.g., creation of trench lines and transition to war of attrition).
15. [2-3] 'The BEF was involved at Mons.'
16. [2-3] 'This was the first battle involving British troops.'
17. [2-3] 'The Battle of the Marne led to trench warfare.'
18. [2-3] 'At Mons, the British managed to delay the German attack which helped the French Army.'
19. [2-3] 'At the Battle of the Marne the German advance to Paris was stopped.'
20. [2-3] 'The First Battle of Ypres saw the BEF destroyed.'
21. [2-3] 'The Battle of Ypres showed that the two sides were equally matched and it would be a long war.'
22. [4-6] 'The Battle of Mons was the most important battle on the Western Front in 1914. The British Expeditionary Force were involved in the battle. Despite being outnumbered, the BEF fought well and this gave the British soldiers confidence. The battle succeeded in holding up the German advance and prevented the French Army from being outflanked by Germany.'
23. [4-6] 'The Germans took the decision to outflank the enemy and 'race to the sea.' The First Battle of Ypres resulted in the British forces holding ground and protecting the ports of Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. This meant reinforcements and supplies could continue to be sent from the English Channel ports. This was more important than the Battle of Mons.'
24. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). 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.)
25. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)