Events in 1917–18 determined the outcome of the war.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] e.g. 'Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.'
2. [1-4] 'Americans were being killed by German submarines.'
3. [1-4] 'U-boats sank the Lusitania and some of the passengers were American.'
4. [1-4] 'The Zimmerman telegram threatened an alliance between Germany and Mexico, promising Mexico lands lost to the USA. This outraged the Americans.'
5. [1-4] 'Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany.'
6. [1-4] 'The USA entered the war in April 1917.'
7. [4-5] e.g. 'Apart from the U-boat campaign, the German navy had not had a glorious war. It had been stuck in port for most of the time. However, with the situation in the war desperate, the German navy ordered its ships into the North Sea for one glorious last battle. It was a suicide mission for the German navy and many of the ordinary sailors knew this and refused to take part.'
8. [2-3] e.g. 'Morale in the High Seas Fleet was very low.'
9. [2-3] 'Germany's fleet had been restricted to harbour since Jutland and the mood and discipline of the sailors stuck in harbour was poor.'
10. [2-3] 'By September 1918, Germany's military situation in the war was hopeless.'
11. [2-3] 'They did not want to die in one pointless last battle.'
12. [4-6] e.g. 'I am not at all surprised by this. By the beginning of 1918 Germany was not doing well in the war and needed something to turn the situation around. The submarine campaign had not knocked Britain out of the war and Germany was running out of soldiers. Even worse, the entry of the USA into the war meant that lots of fresh troops would soon be arriving in Europe. It was clear that if things continued as they were, then Germany was heading for defeat. The Offensive was one last desperate attempt to change the course of events and was Germany's last chance of success, so I am not surprised it was launched.'
13. [4-6] OR e.g. 'I am surprised. While they stayed behind the Hindenburg Line, the German troops were safe and could remain undefeated. But the Offensive played to the enemy's strengths. It turned the war into one of movement. The problem was that this needed troops, tanks and aircraft, and the Allies, especially with the arrival of the Americans, had more of all of these. Germany was better off staying with a war of attrition.'
14. [2-3] e.g. 'Germany was losing the war, something new was needed.'
15. [2-3] 'The German population was short of food and materials.'
16. [2-3] 'The Allied blockade of the ports was having a big impact.'
17. [2-3] 'Germany needed to win the war before the Americans arrived.'
18. [2-3] 'It was an attempt at a decisive victory.'
19. [2-3] 'Germany was short of troops and was in a desperate economic situation.'
20. [2-3] 'Germany was not strong enough to mount and sustain an offensive.'
21. [2-3] 'Germany did not have the troops or tanks for a war of movement.'
22. [2-3] 'Germany did not have the resources to defend captured territory.'
23. [2-3] 'The Allies had more troops and tanks for a mobile war.'