SECTION A: CORE CONTENT. Option B: The twentieth century. Hitler became convinced that he could achieve his aims in foreign policy.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] It was agreed to divide Eastern European states into zones of influence in a secret protocol.
2. [1] Germany and the USSR agreed not to fight each other / non-aggression pact for 10 years.
3. [1] Finland / Estonia / Latvia / Lithuania were assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence.
4. [1] Germany agreed not to interfere with the Soviet Union's actions towards Romania.
5. [1] If one power went to war with a third party, the other would not intervene.
6. [1] It was agreed secretly/privately to divide Poland.
7. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
8. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
9. [4] Involvement in the Spanish Civil War was important to Hitler as it allowed him to test his ideas for warfare to see if they were effective. Hitler's troops tried out new tactics such as carpet bombing as in Guernica and blitzkrieg tactics as at the offensive on Bilbao. Both of these techniques were to become important in the invasion of Russia and Europe in the Second World War.
10. [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.
11. [1] Hitler wanted the Nationalists to win the civil war.
12. [1] He sent transport planes so Franco could move his troops and equipment from Morocco to Spain.
13. [1] At the end of 1936, Hitler set up the Condor Legion, which was to assist Franco in Spain.
14. [1] Hitler's troops tried out new tactics such as carpet bombing as in Guernica.
15. [1] Hitler sent naval supplies including 2 pocket battleships, a cruiser, torpedo boats and U-boats.
16. [1] Hitler wanted to prevent the spread of communism.
17. [1] Hitler wanted to show that Germany was an important international player.
18. [1] It was a screen for Hitler's European plans.
19. [1] Hitler wanted to build alliances especially with Mussolini.
20. [1] Hitler wanted to test the League / Western powers / Britain and France.
21. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
22. [1] Hitler sent troops to support the Fascists in Spain.
23. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
24. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
25. [10] Fear of communism was one factor which prompted a policy of appeasement but it was not the main factor. More important was the fact that neither Britain nor France was prepared to fight Hitler. The policy bought time which allowed them to build up their defences which were still weak after WW1 and the Depression.
26. [7-9] Level 4: Explains both sides. For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.
27. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
28. [4] Fear of communism was important. People were suspicious of the Communist government which had taken power in the Soviet Union. They may have not liked Hitler or his policies but saw Germany as a buffer zone against any threat from the USSR. Therefore, the British and French tried to keep Hitler on side by giving in to his demands over Austria and the Sudetenland.
29. [4] Fear of communism wasn't the main reason for appeasement. The British and French were afraid of another war and gave in to Hitler's demands in an attempt to prevent war from breaking out. France had been badly damaged in WW1 and this was still fresh in the minds of the public.
30. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
31. [1] Britain and France feared Soviet influence and expansion.
32. [1] Hitler was seen as a defensive buffer against any threat from the Soviet Union.
33. [1] Britain and France were militarily weak.
34. [1] People were frightened of the prospect of war.
35. [1] Britain thought that the treaty of Versailles had been unfair on Germany.
36. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
37. [1] Hitler told Chamberlain he wanted only the Sudetenland but he took over the whole of Czechoslovakia.
38. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks