Cambridge IGCSE · Thinka-original Practice Paper

2024 Cambridge IGCSE History (0470) Practice Paper with Answers

Thinka Jun 2024 (V2) Cambridge International A Level-Style Mock — History (0470)

140 marks285 mins2024

An original Thinka practice paper modelled on the structure and difficulty of the Jun 2024 (V2) Cambridge International A Level History (0470) paper. Not affiliated with or reproduced from Cambridge.

Paper 1 Section A

Answer two questions from this section.

2 Question · 40 marks

Question 1 · structured

20 marks

(a) Describe the terms of the Treaty of Versailles regarding Germany's military restrictions. [4]

(b) Why did Woodrow Wilson hope to establish the League of Nations? [6]

(c) 'The Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germany because of the war guilt clause.' How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

### Part (a) Solution
The military restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles included:
- The German army was strictly limited to a maximum of 100,000 men.
- Conscription (compulsory military service) was banned; all soldiers had to be volunteers.
- Germany was prohibited from having an air force (Luftwaffe).
- The navy was limited to 6 battleships, 12 destroyers, 12 torpedo boats, and no submarines.
- The Rhineland was permanently demilitarised, meaning no German troops or military installations were allowed in this zone.
- Germany was forbidden from manufacturing or importing tanks, armored cars, or chemical weapons.

### Part (b) Solution
Woodrow Wilson hoped to establish the League of Nations for several reasons:
1. **Prevention of Future Wars**: Wilson wanted a forum where countries could resolve international disputes peacefully through diplomacy and arbitration rather than resorting to military conflict. This was a core component of his Fourteen Points.
2. **Collective Security**: He believed that an international organization could guarantee the territorial integrity and political independence of all nations, large and small, through collective security—where an attack on one member state would be treated as an attack on all.
3. **Global Disarmament**: Wilson hoped the League would supervise and encourage global disarmament, reducing the militarism that had contributed to the outbreak of the First World War.

### Part (c) Solution
**Arguments agreeing that the Treaty was unfair due to the war guilt clause (Article 231):**
- **Moral Humiliation**: Article 231 forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for causing all the loss and damage of the war. Germans felt this was a deep injustice, arguing that other European powers shared responsibility for the pre-war alliance systems and arms race.
- **Legal Justification for Reparations**: The war guilt clause was used as the legal foundation to impose massive financial reparations (6,600 million), which devastated the Weimar economy and led to hyperinflation in 1923, punishing ordinary civilians who had no say in the outbreak of war in 1914.

**Arguments showing the Treaty was unfair for *other* reasons, or was actually fair:**
- **Other Unfair Terms (Territorial and Colonial Loss)**: Many Germans argued that the loss of 13% of their European territory (including West Prussia to Poland and Alsace-Lorraine to France) and all overseas colonies was unfair because it stripped them of industrial resources (such as coal in the Saar and Upper Silesia) and violated the principle of self-determination.
- **The Treaty was relatively Fair (Contextual perspective)**: Compared to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which Germany imposed on Russia in 1918, the Treaty of Versailles was mild. Brest-Litovsk had stripped Russia of a third of its population and the majority of its coal fields. Furthermore, France had suffered immense physical destruction and required reparations to rebuild its infrastructure, making some level of German punishment and compensation reasonable.

Marking scheme

### Part (a) Marking Scheme (4 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-4 marks)**: One mark for each relevant, accurate point described, up to a maximum of 4 marks.
- *Example*: Germany's army was cut to 100,000 men (1 mark). No submarines were allowed (1 mark). The Rhineland was demilitarised (1 mark). Conscription was banned (1 mark).

### Part (b) Marking Scheme (6 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-2 marks)**: Identifies reasons but does not explain them.
- *Example*: Wilson wanted to stop future wars and protect small countries.
- **Level 2 (3-5 marks)**: Explains one or two reasons.
- *Example*: Wilson wanted the League to act as an international parliament where nations could settle their disputes through discussion rather than war. He believed this system of collective security would prevent another conflict on the scale of World War I because potential aggressors would know the whole world would unite against them.
- **Level 3 (6 marks)**: Explains three distinct reasons or provides a highly detailed explanation of multiple interconnected factors.

### Part (c) Marking Scheme (10 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-2 marks)**: Simple assertion or general statements without specific historical evidence.
- *Example*: The treaty was unfair because it made the Germans angry.
- **Level 2 (3-4 marks)**: One-sided explanation focusing ONLY on the war guilt clause, OR focusing ONLY on other unfair aspects/arguments for fairness.
- **Level 3 (5-7 marks)**: Balanced response showing both sides of the argument. One side must address the role of the war guilt clause; the other side must examine alternative aspects of the treaty or argue why it was fair.
- **Level 4 (8-10 marks)**: Balanced, well-developed argument with a clear, supported conclusion. Candidates evaluate whether the war guilt clause was indeed the primary source of perceived unfairness compared to the physical/economic terms.

Question 2 · structured

20 marks

(a) What was the 'domino theory'? [4]

(b) Why did the United States become militarily involved in Vietnam? [6]

(c) How successful was the US policy of containment in Europe up to 1949? Explain your answer. [10]

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

### Part (a) Solution
The 'domino theory' was a prominent US foreign policy concept during the Cold War which posited that:
- If one country in a region fell to communism, the surrounding countries would inevitably follow in a chain reaction, much like a row of falling dominos.
- It was first explicitly articulated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 regarding French Indochina.
- It was used to justify heavy American military intervention and economic aid to non-communist regimes in Southeast Asia, such as South Vietnam.
- The primary goal of the theory was to emphasize the necessity of stopping communist expansion at its point of origin to prevent regional collapse.

### Part (b) Solution
The United States became militarily involved in Vietnam due to several key factors:
1. **Containment Policy and the Truman Doctrine**: The US was committed to preventing the global spread of communism. After China fell to communism in 1949 and North Vietnam became communist under Ho Chi Minh, the US felt it had to draw a line in South Vietnam.
2. **The Domino Theory**: American policymakers feared that if South Vietnam fell to the communist North, neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and potentially even Malaya and Indonesia would quickly follow.
3. **The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964)**: Following alleged attacks by North Vietnamese torpedo boats on US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, President Lyndon B. Johnson secured congressional approval (the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution), which gave him the authority to launch direct military action without a formal declaration of war.

### Part (c) Solution
**Arguments showing the US policy of containment in Europe was successful up to 1949:**
- **The Truman Doctrine**: Implemented in 1947, the US provided $400 million in military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey, which successfully prevented communist insurgencies from taking control of these strategically vital nations.
- **The Marshall Plan**: By providing over $13 billion in economic aid to rebuild war-torn Western European nations, the US successfully stabilized these economies, removing the poverty and chaos that made communism highly appealing to voters (e.g., in France and Italy).
- **The Berlin Airlift (1948–49)**: When Stalin blockaded West Berlin to force the Allies out, the US and its allies launched a massive airlift to supply the city. This successfully broke the blockade without triggering a hot war, maintaining a democratic outpost deep within the Soviet zone.

**Arguments showing the US policy of containment in Europe had limitations or failures up to 1949:**
- **Soviet Hegemony in Eastern Europe**: Containment did not rollback communism where it was already being established. By 1948, the Soviet Union had successfully set up satellite communist governments across Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia) through rigged elections and political intimidation (creating the 'Iron Curtain').
- **The Division of Germany**: The tension of containment led to the permanent division of Germany into West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR) in 1949, hardening the borders of the Cold War and escalating military spending.
- **The Soviet Atomic Bomb (1949)**: The Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in August 1949, ending the US nuclear monopoly and threatening the long-term military security of Western Europe.

Marking scheme

### Part (a) Marking Scheme (4 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-4 marks)**: One mark for each relevant, accurate point described, up to a maximum of 4 marks.
- *Example*: The theory that if one country fell to communism, its neighbors would too (1 mark). It was stated by President Eisenhower (1 mark). It was used to justify the Vietnam War (1 mark). It aimed to stop the spread of communism in Asia (1 mark).

### Part (b) Marking Scheme (6 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-2 marks)**: Identifies reasons but does not explain them.
- *Example*: The US wanted to stop communism and there was an attack on a US ship in the Gulf of Tonkin.
- **Level 2 (3-5 marks)**: Explains one or two reasons.
- *Example*: The US was deeply committed to the policy of containment, which was designed to prevent the spread of communism. They believed in the 'domino theory'—the idea that if South Vietnam became communist, its neighbors like Laos and Cambodia would also fall. Therefore, they felt forced to intervene to preserve a non-communist government in the South.
- **Level 3 (6 marks)**: Explains three distinct reasons or provides a highly detailed explanation of multiple factors including the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

### Part (c) Marking Scheme (10 marks)
- **Level 1 (1-2 marks)**: Simple assertion or general statements without specific historical evidence.
- *Example*: Containment was successful because the US stopped Russia in Europe.
- **Level 2 (3-4 marks)**: One-sided explanation focusing ONLY on successes (e.g., Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift) OR failures (e.g., Eastern European satellite states).
- **Level 3 (5-7 marks)**: Balanced response explaining both the successes of containment (e.g., preventing communist takeovers in Western Europe, Greece, and West Berlin) and its failures/limitations (e.g., failure to prevent Soviet control of Eastern Europe, division of Europe).
- **Level 4 (8-10 marks)**: Balanced, well-developed argument with a clear, supported conclusion that weighs how 'success' should be defined up to 1949 (i.e., successfully halting further expansion beyond the agreed-upon Soviet sphere of influence).

Paper 1 Section B

Answer one question from your chosen Depth Study.

1 Question · 20 marks

Question 1 · structured

20 marks

This question concerns Hitler's rise to power and his consolidation of control over Germany between 1932 and 1934.

(a) Describe how the Reichstag Fire Decree of February 1933 restricted the rights of German citizens. [4]

(b) Why did Hitler carry out the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934? [6]

(c) 'The backstairs political maneuvering of Schleicher, Papen, and Hindenburg was the main reason Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933.' How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Part (a)
- The Decree for the Protection of People and State (Reichstag Fire Decree) suspended key civil rights guaranteed by the Weimar Constitution.
- It restricted freedom of expression and freedom of the press, allowing the regime to ban opposition newspapers.
- It suspended the right to public assembly, meaning political opposition meetings were illegal.
- It ended privacy of postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications, allowing widespread state surveillance.
- It allowed the police to detain individuals indefinitely without charge or trial, enabling the mass arrest of Communists and Socialists.
- It allowed the central government to strip power from state governments that failed to maintain order.

Part (b)
- Ernst Röhm, the leader of the SA (Sturmabteilung), wanted the SA to become the main military force in Germany and absorb the traditional army (Reichswehr). This created deep hostility between the army generals and Röhm. Hitler needed the support of the army to succeed Hindenburg as head of state, so he chose to eliminate Röhm to secure the Reichswehr's loyalty.
- The SA had grown to over 3 million members and was demanding a 'second revolution' to introduce socialist policies. This alarmed the conservative business owners and industrialists whose financial support Hitler required to stabilize the economy.
- Röhm was a highly powerful figure who openly criticized Hitler. By purging Röhm and other leading SA officers, Hitler neutralized a major potential rival and consolidated his absolute authority over the Nazi movement.

Part (c)
- Agree (Backstairs political maneuvering): In late 1932, the Nazi Party was in crisis; its vote had dropped from 37.3% in July to 33.1% in November, and they were running out of money. Left to democratic processes alone, Hitler's momentum was fading. However, Franz von Papen wanted to regain power after being ousted by Kurt von Schleicher. Papen made a deal with Hitler to form a coalition, convincing President Paul von Hindenburg that they could 'tame' Hitler by surrounding him with conservative cabinet ministers. Hindenburg finally agreed on 30 January 1933 because of this political maneuvering. Without this backstairs deal, Hitler would not have been legally appointed Chancellor.
- Disagree (Other factors):
1. The Great Depression was the fundamental catalyst. The economic crisis of 1929 left 6 million Germans unemployed by 1932, destroying public faith in the Weimar Republic and driving voters toward extremist parties, which inflated Nazi electoral support and made them the largest party in the Reichstag.
2. The fear of Communism played a crucial role. Following the Depression, support for the Communist Party (KPD) surged. Middle-class Germans, wealthy industrialists, and landowners feared a Bolshevik revolution. They saw the disciplined Nazis and the SA as the only effective shield against communism, prompting them to fund and support Hitler.
3. Nazi campaigning and Hitler's charisma: Joseph Goebbels masterfully exploited modern propaganda, and Hitler's powerful oratory offered simple, nationalistic solutions, projecting an image of strength and unity that appealed to a fractured public.
- Conclusion: While backstairs intrigue was the immediate trigger that legally placed Hitler in power, it was only possible because the Great Depression and the fear of communism had crippled Weimar democracy and built massive public support for the Nazi party. Therefore, backstairs maneuvering was the mechanism, but the economic crisis and fear of communism were the underlying driving forces.

Marking scheme

Part (a): [4 marks]
- Award 1 mark for each relevant detail described, up to a maximum of 4 marks.
- Points include: suspension of civil rights/liberties; suspension of freedom of press/speech/assembly; allowance of wiretapping and mail interception; suspension of habeas corpus (arbitrary arrest/detention without trial); central government taking over regional states.

Part (b): [6 marks]
- Level 1 [1]: General, non-specific assertion. (e.g., 'Because Hitler was afraid of them.')
- Level 2 [2-3]: Identifies reasons but does not explain them. (e.g., 'He wanted to satisfy the army. Röhm wanted a second revolution.')
- Level 3 [4-6]: Explains reasons. (e.g., Explains how the threat of the SA absorbing the Reichswehr threatened Hitler's plans to win the loyalty of the army, which he needed to become President after Hindenburg. To get 6 marks, at least two distinct reasons must be fully explained.)

Part (c): [10 marks]
- Level 1 [1-2]: Simple assertions or generalizations without historical support.
- Level 2 [3-4]: Identifies/describes relevant factors (e.g., Papen's deal, the Great Depression, fear of communism) but lacks analytical depth or explanation.
- Level 3 [5-6]: One-sided explanation. Explains either why backstairs intrigue was key OR why other factors (Depression, propaganda, fear of communism) were key.
- Level 4 [7-9]: Two-sided explanation. Explains both the role of backstairs maneuvering AND other factors, showing balanced historical analysis.
- Level 5 [10]: Level 4 + a clear, reasoned judgment evaluating which factor was more important and explaining why.

Paper 2 Option A or B

Answer all parts of the question for one option.

1 Question · 40 marks

Question 1 · Source-based questions

40 marks

Option B: 20th Century Option

Inquiry: Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934?

Study the following sources carefully, and then answer all the sub-questions.

SOURCE A

From a campaign speech by Adolf Hitler to a mass rally in Hamburg, July 1932.

"The system which has ruled Germany for the last fourteen years has brought our nation to the brink of ruin. Millions of our citizens are without work, without food, and without hope. The parties of the Weimar coalition have talked and bickered while the German worker starves. The National Socialist movement offers a different path. We do not offer empty theories; we offer work, bread, and national pride. We will sweep away the corrupt party politicians who have humiliated us on the world stage. Give us your support, and we will build a Germany where the worker is respected and where order is restored. Our struggle is for the survival of the German soul."

SOURCE B

From the diary of Luise Solmitz, a schoolteacher living in Hamburg, writing in July 1932 and January 1933.

(July 1932): "The air was electric. Hitler spoke for over an hour. He did not sound like a regular politician. He sounded like a savior. He promised to restore our national honour and give jobs to the desperate. I do not agree with everything his stormtroopers do on the streets; they are often violent and unruly. But who else can save Germany from the Communists? The current government is utterly helpless."
(January 1933): "Hitler is Chancellor! It feels like a miracle. Many of my colleagues who were skeptical are now relieved. There is a feeling that at last, a strong man has taken the wheel. Perhaps now the chaos will end, and we can look forward to a stable future."

SOURCE C

A cartoon published in the British satirical magazine Punch in February 1933.

The cartoon shows Franz von Papen and President Paul von Hindenburg standing next to a large, powerful-looking horse with Hitler's face. The horse is wearing a harness. Von Papen is smiling confidently and holding the reins, whispering to Hindenburg: "Don't worry, President. We have him securely harnessed. We will ride him to where we want to go, and when he is no longer useful, we will lead him back to the stable."

SOURCE D

From a secret report written by an agent of the Sopade (the Social Democratic Party in exile), reporting on conditions in Germany in early 1934.

"The atmospheric pressure of fear is suffocating. Since the Reichstag Fire last year, no opposition voice can be raised safely. The Decree for the Protection of People and State is used to arrest anyone suspected of even minor criticism of the regime. The local SA and Gestapo agents have established a network of terror. Workers do not dare to talk about politics in the factories; even at home, people speak in whispers because they fear their neighbors or their own children might denounce them. The trade unions have been completely smashed, replaced by the German Labour Front which only preaches obedience to the Führer. What keeps the regime in place is not love, but the absolute certainty that opposition means the concentration camp."

SOURCE E

From a speech delivered by Vice-Chancellor Franz von Papen at the University of Marburg, 17 June 1934.

"The German revolution must stop. We did not get rid of the Marxist yoke only to replace it with a reign of terror by another faction. If we want a true national community, we cannot allow the permanent use of violence, censorship, and the suppression of honest criticism. A great nation cannot exist without trust and justice. There are elements within our movement, particularly in the SA, who speak of a 'second revolution' and behave as if they are above the law. It is time to return to order, to respect the traditional institutions, and to silence those who believe that force alone can rule a great people."

Questions:

1. Study Source A.
What can you learn from this source about Hitler’s appeal to the German people in 1932? Explain your answer using details of the source. (6 marks)

2. Study Sources A and B.
How far does Source B prove that the promises in Source A were successful in winning over voters? Explain your answer using details of the sources and your knowledge. (8 marks)

3. Study Source C.
Why was this cartoon published in early 1933? Explain your answer using details of the source and your knowledge. (8 marks)

4. Study Source D.
How far does this source explain how Hitler was able to consolidate his power by 1934? Explain your answer using details of the source and your knowledge. (8 marks)

5. Study all the sources.
How far do these sources support the view that Hitler’s rise to and consolidation of power by 1934 was due to popular support rather than violence and manipulation? Explain your answer using details of the sources. (10 marks)

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Model Answers

Question 1:
From Source A, we can learn that Hitler’s appeal in 1932 was based on presenting himself as a powerful alternative to the failed Weimar Republic. He directly targeted the economic desperation of the German public during the Great Depression by promising practical essentials like 'work' and 'bread' to the millions of unemployed. He also appealed to national pride and patriotism, promising to sweep away 'corrupt party politicians' and restore Germany's international standing. By positioning his struggle as one for 'the survival of the German soul,' he offered a sense of moral and national purpose that contrasted sharply with the bickering of the coalition governments.

Question 2:
Source B provides significant support to show that Hitler's promises in Source A were successful, but it does not fully prove it. On one hand, the diary of Luise Solmitz shows that Hitler's message did win over voters: she describes him as a 'savior' who promised 'national honour' and 'jobs,' which mirrors the language of Source A ('work, bread, and national pride'). She notes that even her skeptical colleagues felt relieved when he became Chancellor, looking forward to a 'stable future.' However, Source B does not completely prove that these promises alone won support. It reveals that her support was also driven by 'fear of Communism' ('who else can save Germany from the Communists?'), suggesting 'negative cohesion' played a massive role. Additionally, she expresses concern over SA street violence, showing she was won over despite her dislike of Nazi violence. Finally, as a single middle-class teacher's diary, Source B is limited and cannot prove the reaction of all social classes, such as the working class who historically supported the KPD or SPD.

Question 3:
Source C was published in February 1933 to mock and warn against the extreme naivety of the German conservative establishment, represented by Papen and Hindenburg. At this specific time (just after Hitler was appointed Chancellor on January 30, 1933), Papen and Hindenburg believed they had 'boxed Hitler in' by surrounding him with conservative cabinet ministers and holding the reins of power. The cartoonist uses the metaphor of a harnessed horse to show that they believed they could control Hitler and use him for their own political ends. The purpose of the cartoon is to warn the public that this strategy was highly dangerous and foolish, as Hitler was far too powerful, unpredictable, and aggressive to be controlled, and would likely turn on his handlers.

Question 4:
Source D explains the consolidation of power by highlighting the role of terror, state violence, and the elimination of civil rights. It mentions the 'atmosphere of fear,' the use of the Reichstag Fire Decree to arrest opposition, Gestapo and SA surveillance, and the destruction of the independent trade unions. This explains a crucial part of how Hitler dominated Germany: by systematically dismantling the machinery of democratic opposition and instilling absolute fear in citizens. However, Source D does not offer a complete explanation. Written by an opposition socialist in exile (Sopade), it naturally emphasizes state terror and the suppression of the working class. It overlooks other factors, such as the legal façade used to acquire power (e.g., the Enabling Act), the popularity of many regime measures, and the support of the army and industrial elites who welcomed the suppression of left-wing groups.

Question 5:
The sources present a balanced but contrasting view. Sources A and B strongly support the argument that Hitler’s rise was built on popular support. Source A shows Hitler directly addressing the legitimate grievances of the population, offering hope and stability. Source B corroborates this, illustrating how ordinary citizens viewed him as a 'savior' who could bring order and protect them from Communism. However, other sources demonstrate that violence, terror, and political manipulation were far more decisive. Source B itself hints at violence, mentioning the 'violent and unruly' stormtroopers. Source C shows that political manipulation and backroom deals by Papen and Hindenburg were critical to Hitler obtaining the Chancellorship in the first place. Source D highlights that once in power, consolidation was maintained through absolute terror, the Gestapo, and concentration camps, rather than genuine popular consent. Finally, Source E (from Vice-Chancellor Papen in 1934) shows that even the conservative elites who helped him to power became deeply alarmed by the SA's 'reign of terror' and disregard for the law. In conclusion, while popular support (driven by economic despair and anti-communism) was crucial for Hitler’s initial electoral breakthroughs, his ultimate domination and consolidation of supreme power by 1934 was secured primarily through elite political manipulation and systemic state violence.

Marking scheme

Marking Scheme

Question 1 (6 marks):
- Level 1 [1-2 marks]: Simple, undeveloped points or direct quotation from Source A without inference. (e.g., 'He promised work and bread.')
- Level 2 [3-4 marks]: Clear inferences about why he was appealing, supported by details from Source A. (e.g., 'He appealed to people's desperation by offering practical solutions like jobs, and appealed to their national pride.')
- Level 3 [5-6 marks]: Explains the nature of the appeal using contextual knowledge of 1932. (e.g., 'He capitalized on the Great Depression and the 6 million unemployed, presenting himself as a strong leader who could end the political gridlock.')

Question 2 (8 marks):
- Level 1 [1-2 marks]: Basic comparisons of Source A and B, stating whether they agree or disagree, with no evaluation of 'how far' or 'proof'.
- Level 2 [3-5 marks]: Explains how Source B supports the success of Source A's promises using evidence from both texts.
- Level 3 [6-8 marks]: Addresses the limitation of Source B as 'proof.' Explains that Solmitz was also motivated by fear of Communism and had concerns about SA violence. Candidates should also mention that one diary cannot represent the entire electorate.

Question 3 (8 marks):
- Level 1 [1-2 marks]: Describes the cartoon elements (horse, Papen, Hindenburg) without explaining the cartoon's message or context.
- Level 2 [3-4 marks]: Explains the context (Hitler becoming Chancellor in Jan 1933) or the message (Papen thought he could control Hitler).
- Level 3 [5-6 marks]: Explains the purpose of the cartoon (to warn the British/international public of the danger of this arrangement, or to mock the elites' foolish confidence).
- Level 4 [7-8 marks]: Explains the irony or the specific timing of the publication, showing how Papen's confidence was misplaced as Hitler would soon outmaneuver them.

Question 4 (8 marks):
- Level 1 [1-2 marks]: Identifies details from Source D about terror or arrests, but without explaining how this consolidated power.
- Level 2 [3-4 marks]: Explains how Source D illustrates the mechanisms of terror (Reichstag Fire Decree, Gestapo, banning of trade unions) as a means of controlling and silencing opposition.
- Level 3 [5-6 marks]: Identifies the limitations of Source D as a complete explanation, noting its perspective as an exile socialist report (Sopade) focusing exclusively on suppression and fear.
- Level 4 [7-8 marks]: Provides a balanced evaluation, contrasting the terror described in Source D with other consolidation methods (e.g., legal acts like the Enabling Act, popular policies, propaganda, and agreements with the elites/army).

Question 5 (10 marks):
- Level 1 [1-3 marks]: Simple assertions or generalizations without specific reference to the sources.
- Level 2 [4-6 marks]: Evaluates sources to support one side of the argument (either popular support OR violence/manipulation).
- Level 3 [7-9 marks]: Evaluates sources on both sides of the debate, categorizing and analyzing the sources systematically.
- Level 4 [10 marks]: Provides a clear, reasoned judgment that synthesizes both factors, demonstrating that popular support was vital for his rise, but violence and manipulation were necessary for his total consolidation of power by 1934.

Paper 4

Answer one question from your chosen Depth Study.

1 Question · 40 marks

Question 1 · extended-essay

40 marks

How far was the Reichstag Fire of February 1933 the main reason why Hitler was able to consolidate his power by August 1934? Explain your answer.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Introduction: The consolidation of Nazi power between February 1933 and August 1934 was a rapid process that transformed Germany from a fragile democracy into a totalitarian dictatorship. While the Reichstag Fire of 27 February 1933 was a pivotal catalyst that allowed Hitler to dismantle constitutional protections, its significance must be weighed against other crucial factors. These include the Enabling Act, the policy of Gleichschaltung (coordination), the Night of the Long Knives, and the death of President Hindenburg. Paragraph 1: The Reichstag Fire was a critical turning point. On 27 February 1933, the Reichstag building was destroyed by fire, and a Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested. Hitler immediately used this to claim that a communist coup was imminent. This persuaded President Hindenburg to sign the 'Decree for the Protection of People and State' on 28 February. This emergency decree suspended key civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the press, and allowed the police to arrest communist and socialist opponents without trial. It created an atmosphere of terror and intimidation that crippled opposition ahead of the March 1933 Reichstag elections, enabling the Nazis to increase their vote share. Paragraph 2: However, the Reichstag Fire alone did not guarantee total power. The passing of the Enabling Act in March 1933 was arguably more significant as it provided a legal veneer for dictatorship. By securing a two-thirds majority through intimidation (the SS lining the corridors) and promises to the Centre Party, Hitler passed the Act on 23 March. This transferred legislative power from the Reichstag to the Chancellor for four years, allowing Hitler to pass laws, even those violating the Constitution, without parliamentary or presidential consent. Paragraph 3: Following the Enabling Act, Hitler executed the policy of Gleichschaltung to systematically eliminate all non-Nazi organizations. In May 1933, trade unions were banned, and their leaders arrested. By July 1933, all political parties other than the NSDAP were outlawed, and Germany was declared a one-party state. This systematic destruction of independent civil society and political opposition ensured that no organized resistance could challenge Nazi rule. Paragraph 4: Furthermore, Hitler had to secure his position within his own movement and appease the German army. By mid-1934, Ernst Roehm and the 3-million-strong SA (Stormtroopers) demanded a 'second revolution' and sought to absorb the professional army (Reichswehr). This threatened both Germany's conservative elites and the military high command, whose support Hitler needed. During the Night of the Long Knives (30 June 1934), Hitler ordered the SS to execute Roehm and other SA leaders, along with key political rivals like Schleicher. This brutal purge eliminated internal dissent, won the absolute gratitude of the army, and consolidated Hitler's control over his own party. Paragraph 5: The final step in the consolidation of power was the death of the aging President Paul von Hindenburg on 2 August 1934. With Hindenburg gone, the last constitutional check on Hitler's power was removed. Hitler immediately merged the offices of Chancellor and President, declaring himself 'Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor'. On the same day, every soldier in the German army took a personal oath of unconditional loyalty to Hitler. Conclusion: In conclusion, while the Reichstag Fire was the essential spark that enabled Hitler to suspend democracy and terrorize his opponents, it was not the sole or main reason for his absolute consolidation of power. The Reichstag Fire created the emergency conditions, but it was the Enabling Act that codified the dictatorship, Gleichschaltung that destroyed organized opposition, the Night of the Long Knives that neutralized internal rivalry, and the death of Hindenburg that finalized Hitler's supreme authority as Fuehrer.

Marking scheme

Level 1 (1-8 marks): Simple, generalized assertions or brief narrative of events with minimal relevance to the question. Demonstrates basic, unstructured knowledge. Level 2 (9-17 marks): Identifies and describes relevant events (such as the Reichstag Fire, Enabling Act, or Night of the Long Knives) but without clearly explaining how they led to the consolidation of power. Mostly descriptive rather than analytical. Level 3 (18-27 marks): Explains how either the Reichstag Fire or other alternative factors (Enabling Act, Night of the Long Knives, etc.) led to Hitler consolidating his power. A one-sided answer that has clear historical explanations but lacks a balanced, multi-perspective approach. Level 4 (28-35 marks): A balanced, analytical essay that explains both the role of the Reichstag Fire (the emergency decree, suppression of communists) and other major factors (Enabling Act, Gleichschaltung, Night of the Long Knives, death of Hindenburg). The answer clearly shows how multiple factors interacted to allow Hitler to consolidate his power by August 1934. Level 5 (36-40 marks): A sophisticated, well-structured argument that directly addresses 'how far'. It evaluates the relative importance of the factors, showing how they built upon each other (e.g., the Reichstag Fire created the conditions for the Enabling Act, which enabled Gleichschaltung, which made the army and SA the last remaining obstacles, resolved by the Night of the Long Knives and Hindenburg's death). Ends with a sustained, logical conclusion.

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