SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study A: The First World War, 1914–18. The start of the First World War did not go according to plan for Germany.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] The Schlieffen Plan was Germany's plan to win the First World War.
2. [1] It was proposed in 1905 by the Chief of the German General Staff.
3. [1] It was designed to allow Germany to wage a successful two-front war.
4. [1] Von Moltke modified the plan.
5. [1] Moltke's changes included a reduction in the size of the attacking army.
6. [1] The plan was to have a quick victory and defeat France in six weeks.
7. [1] Belgium would be invaded according to the plan.
8. [1] The original plan meant that 90% of German forces would attack France.
9. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
10. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
11. [4] At the Battle of the Marne, combined British and French forces pushed the Germans back to the River Aisne, but could not push them out of France entirely. Neither side could make any progress. Therefore, both sides began to dig trenches to hold on to their positions and protect themselves from snipers and shells.
12. [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.
13. [1] The war of movement became a war of attrition.
14. [1] At the First Battle of Ypres both sides suffered heavy casualties and the nature of the war changed from mobile to attrition.
15. [1] The German army raced to the coast to try and block off supplies from Britain.
16. [1] Both sides dug trenches for defence as they went.
17. [1] Trenches gave both sides protection against snipers.
18. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
19. [1] The line of trenches ran all the way from the Swiss border to the North Sea.
20. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
21. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
22. [10] The resistance of Belgium was more important in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan as it held up the German advance. The Plan relied on speed but resistance meant the German army did not move quickly enough to defeat France. Therefore, Germany was forced to fight a two-front war which they hoped to avoid. Russia mobilised more quickly than expected which made things worse, but the Russian army was so badly prepared they lost heavily in their first battles. However, alterations to the plan made by Moltke could be blamed. He reduced the size of the army which invaded Belgium and this made it more possible for resistance to take place. Therefore, it could be argued that this was the most important factor.
23. [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.
24. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
25. [4] The mobilisation of Russia was expected to take six weeks and in that time Schlieffen expected that Germany would defeat France and therefore avoid fighting a war on two fronts. However, Russian troops were ready and moved more quickly than expected. This took Germany by surprise.
26. [4] The resistance of Belgium was important because the point of the Schlieffen Plan to ensure a quick and decisive victory for Germany. It assumed that Belgium would allow the German Army through without resistance so that France could be defeated within six weeks. However, the Belgians put up fierce resistance which slowed the Plan down and allowed British forces to reinforce Belgian and French resistance so that Paris never fell to the Germans.
27. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
28. [1] The Russians were ready more quickly than expected.
29. [1] It was expected that Russia would take six weeks to mobilise.
30. [1] Germany was forced to fight on two fronts.
31. [1] Belgian resistance allowed the BEF to meet the Germans at Mons.
32. [1] The resistance allowed the British to bring in men and materials.
33. [1] It took a week for the Germans to capture Liege.
34. [1] This tied down German troops, weakening the Schlieffen Plan.
35. [1] The resistance meant Germany was fighting a war on two fronts because of the delays caused by the Belgians.
36. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
37. [1] Schlieffen made his plan in 1905 but after he retired in 1906 the plan was changed.
38. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks