SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study B: Germany, 1918–45. The Weimar Republic faced many challenges and enjoyed some successes.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] He was the leader of the Social Democrats/he was a Social Democrat.
2. [1] He was Chancellor of the new German Republic from 1918.
3. [1] He was President of Germany from 1919.
4. [1] He accepted the Armistice.
5. [1] He accepted the Treaty of Versailles.
6. [1] He adopted a democratic form of government.
7. [1] He made an agreement with the Freikorps to put down the Spartacist uprising early in 1919.
8. [1] He crushed an uprising in Bavaria.
9. [1] He took ruthless measures against the Communists.
10. [1] His government was threatened by the Kapp Putsch.
11. [1] He supported the general strike in the Ruhr.
12. [1] He died in 1925.
13. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
14. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
15. [4] The system of proportional representation was seen as a weakness because it meant that it was difficult for one party to achieve a majority. All the governments during the Weimar period were coalitions, made up of more than one party. These parties frequently disagreed over policy and this made it difficult to have a stable government.
16. [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.
17. [1] There were frequent general elections.
18. [1] Proportional representation meant governments were weak.
19. [1] Extremist parties gained seats in the Reichstag.
20. [1] Governments changed often – there were nine general elections in the Weimar period.
21. [1] Many small parties were elected.
22. [1] No one party had a majority.
23. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
24. [1] The Weimar government was formed after the First World War.
25. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
26. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
27. [10] Stresemann's improvement of Germany's standing in foreign relations was his most important achievement because he was able to turn Germany from a distrusted and friendless state in 1923 into one which was respected and treated as an equal. Stresemann negotiated the Young Plan with the US before he died in 1929 and this would have dramatically reduced the reparations owed by Germany. Unfortunately, the onset of the depression meant the plan did not come to fruition but the fact it was agreed at all shows how far Germany had come.
28. [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.
29. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation
30. [4] Stresemann made important advances for Germany in terms of foreign policy. At Locarno, Germany accepted the terms of the Versailles Treaty. Being involved in the discussions was important as it meant that Germany was accepted again by the other powers in Europe. Germany was also admitted to the League of Nations.
31. [4] Some of Stresemann's most important achievements were in economic policy. He replaced the temporary currency with the Reichsmark, which helped end hyperinflation. He agreed the Dawes Plan with the USA. This linked Germany's reparation payments to economic performance. US loans of 800 million gold marks helped kick-start the German economy. German industry benefited, inflation and unemployment fell, industry expanded and exports increased.
32. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
33. [1] At Locarno, Germany accepted the terms of the Versailles Treaty.
34. [1] Germany was admitted to the League of Nations.
35. [1] Germany signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
36. [1] There was a permanent currency, the Reichsmark.
37. [1] Hyperinflation was ended.
38. [1] Industries in the Ruhr restarted production.
39. [1] There were US loans which helped industry.
40. [1] The 1920s was a period of cultural revival, especially in Berlin.
41. [1] Politics became more stable.
42. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
43. [1] Germany made achievements in foreign policy and in economic policy under Stresemann.
44. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks