SECTION A: CORE CONTENT. Option A: The nineteenth century. Early attempts to establish a united German state failed.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] When revolution broke out, he wanted to repress it with the army.
2. [1] However, he recalled the troops.
3. [1] He declared he was committed to German unification.
4. [1] He allowed the Frankfurt Parliament to be established which suggests he agreed with some of the demands of the revolutionaries.
5. [1] He wrote a letter begging the revolutionaries to stop the violence in Berlin.
6. [1] He did not really support liberal ideas.
7. [1] Once his position was secure, he ordered the army to reoccupy Berlin.
8. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
9. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
10. [4] The Zollverein was important because it encouraged the growth of nationalism. Prussia was the motivating force behind its creation and Austria was excluded from the Zollverein because of its highly protected industry. It was in the interests of the German states contributing to the customs union to work closely together and especially with Prussia. This was a big step towards the political union needed to form the state of Germany.
11. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid reason(s); addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
12. [1] The Zollverein provided a form of economic union.
13. [1] It brought economic benefits to member states.
14. [1] It provided a model of closer co-operation.
15. [1] Prussia gave a strong lead over the customs union.
16. [1] It excluded Austria.
17. [1] It provided the groundwork for the unification of Germany.
18. [1] It cemented alliances between numerous German states.
19. [1] It encouraged nationalism.
20. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
21. [1] The Zollverein was a customs union.
22. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
23. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
24. [10] In the long term the Treaty of Olmütz was not so important. In the short term, it was a humiliation for Prussia and showed how the revolution of 1848-49 had failed. However, in the longer term it gave Prussia time to grow stronger. Austria did not gain everything they wanted through the treaty and faced serious financial problems. Meanwhile Prussia experienced economic growth in the 1850s and increased its influence within Germany. By 1856, it was clear to Bismarck, who had supported the Treaty of Olmütz, that Prussia would have to fight Austria for dominance of Germany. Army reforms and modernisation meant that Prussia was able to quickly defeat Austria when the time came in 1866.
25. [7-9] Level 4: Explains both sides. For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side. Seven marks for one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.
26. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
27. [4] The Treaty of Olmütz was important as it was a humiliation for Prussia. Having to accept the treaty showed that the Frankfurt Parliament had failed and that Prussia had failed to establish itself as the leading state. The League of Princes had been set up as a Prussian-dominated union. However, when the ruler of Hesse-Cassel was overthrown, he turned to Austria, not Prussia, for help in suppressing the revolution. Austria sent an army of 200 000, demonstrating clearly to other German states that Austria, not Prussia, was still the dominant force in Germany.
28. [4] The Treaty of Olmütz was not so important. Although Prussia had to abandon its plan for a Prussian Union, the reassertion of Austrian power did not go as far as Austria had hoped. Austria wanted to dominate all the German states and the Habsburg Empire but this was not acceptable to the smaller German states. The German Confederation of 1815 was re-established in 1851. Although this suggested that there would be close cooperation between Austria and Prussia, there was tension between the two. In any case, Austria faced financial and economic problems, so while Prussia grew stronger in the 1850s, Austria weakened.
29. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
30. [1] The Frankfurt Parliament had failed in its primary aim.
31. [1] Frederick William had given up his opportunity to lead Germany.
32. [1] States still looked to Austria for guidance.
33. [1] The Treaty did not give Austria control over all the German states.
34. [1] Prussia did not want the Habsburg Empire to be included in the Confederation.
35. [1] Tension continued between Austria and Prussia.
36. [1] Austria faced economic and financial problems.
37. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
38. [1] Frederick William had rejected the crown.
39. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks