Europe and the first world war
Key: The number at the top before the title shows the frequency of this question ever since the new syllabus.
6x Factors leading to Central powers defeat
Example: “Domestic instability was the main factor in Germany requesting an armistice in 1918.” Discuss. (May 2017 TZ0)
Domestic instability
Germany faces severe economic, political, and social impacts from war
Turnip winter from naval blockade
Fuel shortages
Kiel mutiny
US entry
Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare
Sussex boat 1916
Sussex pledge
Pledge broke
Zimmerman telegram
Impacts: Boosted morale
Strategic errors of Central Powers/military
Battle of Amiens
6x Causes of WW1
Example: “The failure to manage the international crisis of July 1914 led to the outbreak of the First World War.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (Nov 2017)
JONG
July crisis
Ottoman empire decline
Revision of the San Stefano treaty at the Berlin congress provided independence to Romania, Montenegro, and Serbia. Russia was angry, wanted more land, encouraging pan-Slavic nationalism.
Nationalism in the Balkans
German foreign policy
3x European Diplomacy :
Example: “The Congress of Berlin (1878) was the greatest achievement of European diplomacy between 1871 and 1914.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (Nov 2017)
2x Impact of WW1 on civilian populations :
Example: Compare and contrast the impact of the First World War on the civilian populations in two countries up to 1918. (Nov 19)
1x Foreign policy of Kaiser Wilhelm :
Example: With reference to the period up to 1914, examine the impact of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s foreign policy on Britain, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary. (May 2017 TZ0)
Britain/France:
Kruger telegram
Naval race
Moroccan Crises
A-H/Russia:
Bosnian crisis
Diplomacy in Europe
4x Paris Peace Treaties
“The Treaty of Versailles was a fair and reasonable peace.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (Specimen 2017)
“The Treaty of Versailles was a harsh and unfair peace.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2018 TZ0)
“The Paris peace treaties (1919-1923) caused more problems than they solved.” Discuss with reference to two treaties. (Nov 20)
Discuss the nature and impact of the treaties of St Germain and Trianon. (May 21)
3x League of Nations & Europe
Evaluate the successes and failures of the League of Nations in Europe. (Specimen 2017)
Discuss the reasons for the failure of the League of Nations by 1938. (May 2018 TZ0)
“In the 1920s, the League of Nations was successful in Europe.” Discuss. (May 19 TZ0)
3x Outcome of war
Evaluate the reasons for the defeat of the Axis powers in Europe in the Second World War. (Nov 2017)
Examine the contribution of economic and strategic factors to the Allied victory in 1945. (May 19 TZ0)
Evaluate the importance of the wartime alliance (1941 – 1945) to the defeat of the Axis powers in Europe. (Nov 2019)
2x Italian & German Foreign Policies
“Italian foreign policy was inconsistent in the period between 1922 and 1940.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (Nov 2017)
To what extent was German foreign policy successful between 1919 and 1933? (Nov 2019)
2x Appeasement
“The policy of appeasement was necessary because, by the mid-1930s, collective security had failed.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2017 TZ0)
Discuss the reasons for, and the results of, the policy of appeasement (Nov 2018)
2x Collective security
“The Great Depression caused the collapse of collective security.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 21)
“The main aim of Russian/Soviet foreign policy in Europe between 1919 and 1941 was to promote collective security.” Discuss. (Nov 20)
2x Impact on civilians
Examine the impact of the Second World War on the civilian populations of two countries in Europe between 1939 and 1945. (May 2017 TZ0)
“The Second World War had a devastating impact on the civilian population.” Discuss with reference to any two European countries. (Nov 2018)
European States in the inter-war years (USSR Specific)
5x Hitler’s Germany
What it can ask:
Opposition to Nazi regime
Hitler’s consolidation of power
Domestic nazi resistance
Support of policies
5x Spain
What it can ask:
Reasons/impact of political polarization
Success/failures of Primo’s government
Economic conditions causing Civil War
Rigged elections
Reasons for nationalist victory
4x Italy
What it can ask:
Rise to power of Mussolini
Extent of totalitarian state
Domestic policies
3x Weimar Germany
What it can ask:
How/why did weimar survive
Political challenges in Weimar:
Spartacus uprising
Kapp
Munich pitch
Why it survived:
Groener-Ebert pact
Freikorps
Weak government with no majority
Article 48 – Ebert
Economic survival:
Post war unemployment & inflation
Survived due to Dawes plan
Golden era
Foreign policy: Locarno, League
Economic factors: Stresseman’s Ketenmark
repararation / treaty stability: Dawes plan, Young plan
HOWEVER: Pro-Versailles? Economic issues still, farmers unrest
1x Other
Evaluate social developments in one European country (other than Germany, Italy or Spain) in the inter-war years. (Nov 18)