Paper 1 Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

June 2020

Q1: How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about German attitudes

towards Jewish people? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, the interpretations differ about the attitudes to Jewish people. Interpretation A says that the Germans did not object to the anti-Semitic propaganda in newspapers, whereas in Interpretation B the German rejects the anti-Semitic propaganda and says anti-Semitism was not widespread or deeply held in Germany. For example, the interpretations differ about the attitudes to Jewish people. Interpretation A says that the Germans agreed that persecuting Jews was a good thing. Interpretation B says that it was not right.

Q2: Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have different interpretations about

German attitudes towards Jewish people? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge.

Answer:

For example, the interpretations differ because the authors’ experience of the Jews and Germans was different. The author of Interpretation B was a Nazi but he used his own experience of the Jews to judge the propaganda about them. The author of Interpretation A, on the other hand, just reported what he saw and the people he talked to may have just said what the Nazis wanted Germans to say. For example, Interpretation A was by someone who was travelling around Germany, whereas Interpretation B was written by someone who actually lived

Q3: Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about German attitudes

towards Jewish people? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, Interpretation A is convincing because everyone had a public and a private opinion. In public Germans would agree with the propaganda in newspapers and express anti-Semitic opinions. They might say they approved of anti-Semitic persecution such Kristallnacht in 1938. However privately they might know Jews, and like them as in Interpretation B. But the Nazis did not rely on propaganda alone there was the police state, and if they spoke out in favour of Jews or against the anti-Semitic propaganda they would be punished by the Gestapo or SS. For example, Interpretation A is convincing about the attitudes of young people because it shows the power of propaganda. The Nazi propaganda was run by Goebbels who controlled the newspapers and the radio. The cartoons would appeal to young people. Interpretation A is more convincing because it shows that the Nazis targeted the attitudes of young people who were easier to convince than older people, like in Interpretation B. The Nazis backed this up by changing the school curriculum as well so that young children learned to have anti-Semitic attitudes in school and the Hitler Youth. The SS were responsible for carrying out the persecution of the Jews so the officer in Interpretation A would support the anti-Semitic attitudes. For example, Interpretation A is convincing because people only had Nazi propaganda. Other newspapers were taken over banned by the Nazis. The Nazis controlled the radio. So, there was no other opinion about the Jews. For example, Interpretation A is more convincing because the Nazis tried to make young children hate the Jews.

Q4: Describe two problems faced by Germany before 1914.

Answer:

One problem Germany had to deal with was about workers’ pay and rights. The trade unions which organised strikes to put pressure on the Kaiser and the government to try to improve their pay and conditions. Another problem was that Socialism was popular and a new political party the Social Democratic Party (SPD) received workers’ votes. The Social Democrats wanted social reforms and laws to improve workers’ rights. They were a big party in the Reichstag and many of them held even more extreme views For example, the Kaiser’s government had to face the powerful trade unions.

Q5: In what ways were the German people affected by the Second World War?

Explain your answer.

Answer:

For example, as Germany began losing the war from 1942 onwards life, for civilians became more and more difficult. Germans with connections to the Nazis were able to live a comfortable life for longer. Germans living in the countryside might be able to obtain a little more food. However, after defeat at Stalingrad, life became very difficult for nearly all Germans. The bombing became more intense and old men, women, and teenagers had to man anti- aircraft guns and help searching for casualties in bombed out houses, and For example, because of the war supplies were needed for the soldiers so there were food shortages for German civilians. By November 1939, food and clothing were rationed. For example, as German men joined the army, German women were drafted in to work in the factories. The factories stayed open longer. Only things that would help fight the war were made. By 1944 seven million foreign workers were brought into Germany to work as slave labour. For example, the bombing of German cities killed and injured many Germans. It created refugees as they tried to find somewhere safer to live. Hospitals were put under pressure to deal with the injuries. The bombs damaged the supply of food, water, and electricity. For example, the bombing of German cities in the war killed people.

Q6: Which of the following was the more important reason for the increased support for

the Nazis before 1933: • the appeal of Hitler • Germany’s economic problems? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. 206G8145/1a/b

Answer:

For example, both reasons are important and worked together. The economic situation caused by the Depression meant that Germans were prepared to listen to the more extreme ideas of politicians like Hitler. He reminded them of a strong leader, like the Kaiser, with disciplined supporters, and Germans feared the Communists. Both businessmen and farmers realised that the Communists would take over their factories and farms. The Germans did not understand why they were in this crisis so they listened to Hitler’s simple explanations and solutions. For example, the Nazis got more support in elections because Germans liked what Hitler said and voted for him. His ideas appealed to different people in different ways, he promised farmers higher prices for their crops and praised them as true Germans. Middle-class people feared a breakdown in law and order because of the extreme conditions of the Depression. Millions were out of work and hungry. The Weimar politicians argued and did not seem able to deal with the Depression. They achieved little and Brüning used Emergency laws under Article 48 to try to run the country. Hitler seemed decisive and was For example, Nazi propaganda was designed to win people over. It showed Hitler as a strong man with clear ideas about how to help Germany. He was a good public speaker and went all over Germany. There were 3,000,000 unemployed in 1930 and they were desperate. Hitler promised work and food. For example, people voted for Hitler and the Nazis because it was the time of the Depression and they had lost their jobs.