2024 IB DP History Practice Paper with Answers

Gustav Stresemann served as Chancellor in 1923 and Foreign Minister from 1923 to 1929. His foreign policy of 'fulfillment' (Erfüllungspolitik) aimed to restore Germany's international standing by cooperating with the Allied powers. Key diplomatic achievements include: 1. The Dawes Plan (1924), which restructured reparations and secured vital US loans, launching the 'Golden Age' of economic stability. 2. The Locarno Treaties (1925), which guaranteed Germany's western borders, eased tensions with France, and paved the way for Germany's entry into the League of Nations in 1926 with a permanent seat. 3. The Treaty of Berlin (1926) with the USSR, which maintained economic and military links, neutralising threats from the east. 4. The Young Plan (1929), which further reduced reparations and set a date for the early withdrawal of Allied troops from the Rhineland. Despite these successes, Stresemann's policies had limitations: they made the German economy overly reliant on short-term American loans (predisposing it to the Great Depression), and right-wing nationalists fiercely criticized his policies as surrender, failing to build long-term democratic consensus.

13–15 marks: Focus is clear, structured, and analytical. Shows detailed historical knowledge of Stresemann's foreign policies (Dawes, Young, Locarno, League of Nations) and evaluates both positive impacts (diplomatic reintegration, short-term economic stability) and limitations (domestic nationalist backlash, economic dependency). 10–12 marks: Solid narrative of Stresemann's policies, but may lack critical depth or balance in evaluating 'to what extent' these policies stabilized the Weimar Republic. 7–9 marks: Mostly descriptive account of Weimar Germany in the 1920s with limited focus on foreign policy specifically. 4–6 marks: Limited knowledge, structure, or relevance. 1–3 marks: Superficially addresses the topic with major errors.

This essay requires a balanced evaluation of Count Camillo di Cavour's role relative to other factors in Italian unification up to 1861. Arguments for Cavour as the most significant factor: 1. His modernization of Piedmont-Sardinia's economy and military, making it the natural leader of the Risorgimento. 2. His foreign policy during the Crimean War, which won international sympathy. 3. The secret Pact of Plombières (1858) with Napoleon III, which secured French military support to expel Austria from Lombardy in 1859. 4. His diplomatic skill in managing the annexation of Central Italian states. Counter-arguments/Other factors: 1. Giuseppe Garibaldi's military leadership and the Expedition of the Thousand (1860), which conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and forced Cavour's hand to unify the south. 2. Giuseppe Mazzini's intellectual and ideological groundwork, which popularized the concept of a unified Italy. 3. The role of Victor Emmanuel II as a unifying monarchist figurehead. 4. External factors, particularly the decline of Austrian influence and British diplomatic support for non-intervention.

13–15 marks: Deep and analytical comparison of Cavour's diplomatic contributions against other critical factors (Garibaldi, Mazzini, international context). Well-structured, with precise historical evidence leading to a balanced conclusion. 10–12 marks: Explains Cavour's diplomatic role and mentions other factors, but the analysis is less balanced or lacks deep evaluation. 7–9 marks: Descriptive narrative of the events of Italian unification up to 1861, with limited analytical focus. 4–6 marks: Highly generalized with poor detail and limited understanding of the factors. 1–3 marks: Inaccurate or superficial response.

Getúlio Vargas took power in Brazil following the 1930 revolution, which was directly triggered by the economic collapse of the coffee-dominated economy during the Great Depression. Successes of his policies: 1. Coffee Valorization: Vargas's government bought and destroyed surplus coffee to stabilize international prices and protect growers. 2. Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI): He promoted domestic manufacturing of goods that could no longer be imported due to global trade collapse. 3. Infrastructure Development: Established state-owned enterprises like the National Steel Company (CSN) and the Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (mining), laying the foundation for modern industry. 4. Labor Reforms: Integrated urban workers into the state via the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), reducing labor unrest. Limitations: 1. Neglect of Rural Areas: The agricultural interior remained impoverished and feudal, with reforms benefiting mostly urban sectors. 2. Authoritarian Control: Economic corporatism under the Estado Novo (1937–1945) suppressed independent labor unions and political freedoms. 3. Debt and Inflation: High state spending led to chronic inflation and growing national debt.

13–15 marks: Thoroughly examines the socio-economic challenges of the Great Depression in Brazil and critically evaluates Vargas's response. Balanced analysis of successes (diversification, ISI, CSN) and failures (rural neglect, inflation, authoritarian corporatism) supported by precise historical data. 10–12 marks: Solid understanding of Vargas's economic policies, but the assessment of 'to what extent' they solved the Depression's problems may be slightly descriptive. 7–9 marks: General narrative of Vargas's presidency with limited focus on economic policies and the specific impact of the Great Depression. 1–6 marks: Incomplete, inaccurate, or superficial.