Paper 1: Germany and West Germany 1918-89

Paper 1 is a written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes. Marks available: 60. Students answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C. Sections A and B comprise a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in breadth (AO1). Section C comprises one compulsory question that assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations (AO3).

The Germany unit is split into four themes and then the foreign policy unit is a separate part that uses historical interpretations.

Theme 1: Political and government change, 1918-89

Theme 2: Opposition, control and consent, 1918-89

Theme 3: Economic development and polices, 1918-89

Theme 4: Aspects of life in Germany and West Germany, 1918-89

Historical interpretations - How far was Hitler's foreign policy responsible for the Second World War?

Section A: This question will test your knowledge of one particular time period and you will be required to demonstrate a breadth of historical knowledge and detailed analysis. The essay structure is as follows:

Introduction: Introduction: CUTS

C

Context

Explain what the key issues relating to the question are in one sentence!

U

Unpack the question

Define key terms and valid criteria for judgement

T

Thesis statement

Clearly state your argument (be nuanced – measurement language

S

Structure

Explain your three paragraphs and why you will focus on these factors

Paragraph structure: Ideally an A level essay has three paragraphs based on the structure outlined in the introduction. Ideally you want to provide the following:

QF - Introduce the theme of the paragraph and its importance to the conceptual focus of the question.

FE/AN x3 - Provide precise factual evidence that is relevant to the question - analyse each piece of factual evidence with precision.

EA - Evaluate your argument and establish connections between paragraphs/factors to show how they relate to each other. Also re-apply your valid criteria to assess the overall significance of the factor you have just analysed.

Conclusion: Conclusion

R

Restate

Restate your argument clearly

W

Weigh up

Explain each key factor and weigh up their importance

K

Killer Evidence

Use a piece of ‘killer evidence’ to back up your argument to finish

Section B: This question will require you to compare one of the themes but across two time periods, eg the role and status of women in Nazi Germany compared to the FRG. Like Section A, Section B tests the breadth of your knowledge and detailed analysis of both time periods. It's mainly focused on the concept of change and continuity. The structure is the same as the Section A except you are juggling two time periods within your paragraphs.

Introduction: CUTS - same as Section A

Paragraph structure:

QF - Introduce the theme of the paragraph and its importance to the conceptual focus of the question.

FE/AN x3 - Provide precise factual evidence that is relevant to the question - analyse each piece of factual evidence with precision. It is best to intereweve FE for both time periods. For example, FE for women in Nazi Germany, AN of FE, followed by FE for women in the FRG, AN of FE.

EA - Evaluate your argument and establish connections between paragraphs/factors to show how they relate to each other. Also re-apply your valid criteria to assess the overall significance of the factor you have just analysed. Ensure you highlight the major changes or continuity

Conclusion: RWK - same as Section A

Section C: This question tests your own knowledge and your ability to analyse and evaluate interpretations of the past in the work of historians. Whereas Section A and B will always give you the choice of two options, Section C is one compulsory question. The Section C will give you two extracts and a statement to analyse based on Hitler's foreign policy.

Introduction: You need to start off by establishing valid criteria based on the statement given. You then need to identify the historical schools of thought and main views of the two extracts followed by your judgement based on your criteria.

Paragraph structure for each extract

QF: Identify the main view of the extract.

Followed by this process x3

Quote - Provide a key quote from the extract that supports the debate

Analyse/inference - Make an inference and analyse the significance of the quote

Knowledge - Support the quote and analysis with your own precise knowledge - also incorporate challenging knowledge.

Cross reference (if applicable) Can you find any evidence where the historian agrees with the other exract?

EA: Weigh up the significance and credibility of the view, has the extract missed out key arguments? - Re-apply your valid criteria.

Conclusion: Evaluate the entire argument, re-apply your criteria and judgement.