SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study A: The First World War, 1914–18. The war was fought on many fronts.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] U-boats were German submarines.
2. [1] In 1915 Germany started the campaign of 'unrestricted' submarine warfare.
3. [1] This meant all military and merchant ships heading towards Britain were targeted.
4. [1] The plan was to starve Britain of supplies so that it surrendered.
5. [1] After the Lusitania was sunk in 1915 there was outrage from the US, and Germany abandoned the policy.
6. [1] In 1917 the policy was resumed as Germany was not making headway on the Western Front.
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] The battle was important because the Germans failed to achieve their objective of lifting of the blockade. It showed the German surface fleet was in no position to challenge the Royal Navy in the North Sea. The German fleet returned to port never to venture out again.
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] Germany failed to break the blockade.
12. [1] Britain kept control of the North Sea.
13. [1] The German surface fleet stayed in port for the rest of the war.
14. [1] The Germans inflicted more damage on the Royal Navy.
15. [1] Britain lost 14 ships and almost 7000 sailors were killed, injured or captured.
16. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
17. [1] Neither side really won the Battle of Jutland.
18. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
19. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
20. [10] Poor leadership was not really the reason Russia withdrew. Although many military leaders were weak, others, such as Brusilov, were talented and achieved some success. However, supply lines were so poor and the army so badly equipped that any gains were not maintained. The army had always been loyal to the Tsar and in February 1917 this changed when soldiers refused to fire on the demonstrators in Petrograd. This was the turning point which showed that the Russian people were no longer prepared to fight and this was the reason Russia withdrew.
21. [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.
22. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
23. [4] Poor military leadership was one reason Russia withdrew from the war. The Russian army had been heavily defeated in its first battles at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes. The Commander of the Russian forces resigned in 1915 and his place was taken by the Tsar. Although Russia had some success in 1916, the February Revolution saw him forced to abdicate in 1917. The Provisional Government decided to continue the war but this decision was very unpopular.
24. [4] Russia was badly equipped and supply lines were poor. This meant that many troops did not have boots or basic ammunition. Also many had not been trained properly. By 1917 morale was very low and many soldiers deserted. After the February Revolution the Bolsheviks promised land to the peasants and so even more soldiers decided to leave the front and return home.
25. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
26. [1] The Tsar took control of the army in 1915.
27. [1] The Tsar was forced to abdicate in 1917.
28. [1] General Brusilov was a talented military leader.
29. [1] Russia suffered heavy defeats, for instance in Austria in 1917.
30. [1] There were large scale desertions.
31. [1] Russian troops were badly equipped and morale was very low.
32. [1] The Bolsheviks wanted to end the war.
33. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
34. [1] Russia withdrew from the war in March 1918.
35. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks