Many different factors affected the outcome of the First World War.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] (a) e.g. 'It was used to encourage men to volunteer to join the armed forces.'
2. '(a) It was carried on posters, leaflets and on film.'
3. '(a) Recruitment posters such as “Kitchener Wants You” were important.'
4. '(a) Atrocity propaganda was used to make people hate the Germans.'
5. '(a) Posters were used to encourage women to join the Land Army and the Auxiliary Corps.'
6. '(a) Propaganda was used to convince people that the British cause in the war was the right one.'
7. '(a) Posters were used to encourage women to work in munitions factories.'
8. [4-5] (b) The main reason why the departure of Russia was important was that it made it possible for the Germans to transfer large numbers of troops to the Western Front. This made it possible for Germany to launch a major offensive in March 1918. This was Germany's last chance of victory. At first it was successful and the Germans advanced towards Paris.
9. [2-3] (b) e.g. 'Russia lost a lot of land such as Finland, Latvia and Ukraine.'
10. '(b) In the peace treaty Russia lost a quarter of its industry.'
11. '(b) The Treaty of Brest Litovsk led to the Russian Civil War.'
12. '(b) It allowed Germany to move large numbers of troops to the west.'
13. '(b) It made it possible for the Germans to launch the Ludendorff Offensive.'
14. '(b) It led to the Ludendorff Offensive which turned into a disaster for Germany.'
15. [4-6] (c) 'I agree with this. The Dreadnoughts fought a major sea battle in 1916 at Jutland. The result appeared to be a draw but afterwards the German battle fleet went back to base and stayed there. This gave the Dreadnoughts the control of the North Sea. This meant that Britain could carry out a blockade of the German coast for the rest of the war. This was crucially important in the outcome of the war. Germany became short of food and armaments and this was a major factor in Germany losing the war. It weakened the German army and led to food riots in Germany. These factors led to the German government asking for an armistice.'
16. OR
17. '(c) They did not play a very important part in the war at sea. The main threat at sea were the German U-boats which sank many merchant ships bringing supplies from the USA to Britain. This was why Britain had to introduce rationing. There were no decisive battles at sea and so the Dreadnoughts were of limited importance. There were first some minor skirmishes and then the Battle of Jutland which was indecisive. After all the money that was spent on them before the war, they did not play a decisive role.'
18. [2-3] (c) e.g. 'They played a major part in the Battle of Jutland.'
19. '(c) Their control of the North Sea allowed the blockade of Germany to take place.'
20. '(c) They escorted convoys across the Atlantic.'
21. '(c) They helped defeat the German submarine campaign.'
22. '(c) The Battle of Jutland was not decisive.'
23. '(c) The German Dreadnoughts stayed in harbour much of the time and so no major engagements could take place.'
24. '(c) The U-boats were more important.'
25. '(c) The introduction of the convoy system was more of a major factor.'
26. '(c) It was mines that defeated the German U-boats, not the Dreadnoughts.'
27. '(c) The introduction of the Dreadnoughts encouraged the arms race.'