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Secondary 4 History Preliminary Examination Paper 2
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Questions
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - History Secondary 4
TuitionGoWhere Secondary School (AI)
Subject: History (Pure) Level: Secondary 4 Paper: Preliminary Examination Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Total Marks: 50 Version: 2
Name: _________________________ Class: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Instructions to Candidates
- This paper consists of TWO sections: Section A (Source-Based Case Study) and Section B (Essay Questions).
- Answer ALL questions in Section A.
- Answer ONE question from Section B.
- Write your answers in the spaces provided.
- The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
- You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
Section A: Source-Based Case Study
[30 marks]
Topic: The Rise of Nazi Germany
Study the sources carefully and then answer the questions which follow.
Source A: An extract from a speech by Adolf Hitler, delivered at a Nazi Party rally in Munich, 1928.
"The Treaty of Versailles is a crime against the German people. We are burdened with a war guilt that is a lie, reparations that are impossible to pay, and an army that cannot defend us. The November Criminals who signed this shameful document have betrayed our Fatherland. We demand the restoration of Germany's honour, the return of our lost territories, and the right to live as a proud nation once more."
Source B: A British cartoon published in Punch magazine, 1933, titled "The Temporary Triangle." It shows Hitler standing on a platform labelled "Broken Promises," supported by two pillars: one labelled "Fear of Communism" and the other labelled "Economic Despair."
Source C: An extract from the memoirs of a German factory worker, recalling the early 1930s.
"In 1932, I had been out of work for three years. My children were hungry, and we had lost all hope. Then I heard Hitler speak. He promised jobs, bread, and dignity. He said he would tear up the Treaty of Versailles and make Germany great again. What else could I believe in? The other politicians had done nothing for us. Hitler gave us something to hope for."
Source D: An extract from a speech by Otto Wels, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), addressing the Reichstag on 23 March 1933, during the debate on the Enabling Act.
"No enabling act can give you the power to destroy ideas that are eternal and indestructible. You can take our freedom and our lives, but you cannot take our honour. We Social Democrats will stand by the principles of democracy and the rule of law, even in the face of persecution."
Source E: A photograph taken in Berlin, 1934, showing a long queue of unemployed men waiting outside a labour exchange. In the background, a Nazi poster reads: "Work and Bread – Through Hitler."
Source F: An extract from a report by the British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Horace Rumbold, sent to the Foreign Office in London, April 1933.
"Herr Hitler's consolidation of power has been remarkably swift. The Enabling Act has given him dictatorial authority, and opposition parties are being systematically suppressed. The concentration camps are filling with political prisoners. Yet, I must report that many ordinary Germans appear to support, or at least accept, these developments. They see a leader who is restoring order and national pride after years of chaos and humiliation."
Questions
1. Study Source A.
(a) What is the message of this source? Explain your answer, using details from the source. [5]
(b) Does this source make you surprised by the extent of German resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer. [6]
2. Study Sources B and C.
How similar are these two sources as evidence about the reasons for Hitler's rise to power? Explain your answer, using details from both sources. [7]
3. Study Source D.
Are you surprised by this source? Explain your answer, using details from the source and your own knowledge. [6]
4. Study all the sources.
"Hitler rose to power solely because of the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic." How far do these sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to support your answer. [6]
Section B: Essay Questions
[20 marks]
Answer ONE of the following questions. Your essay should include a clear introduction, well-developed paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a balanced conclusion.
5. "The Treaty of Versailles was a fair and just settlement." How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [20]
6. "Stalin's rule of the Soviet Union was disastrous for the Russian people." How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [20]
7. "Japan's defeat in World War II was caused primarily by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki." How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [20]
END OF PAPER
Answers
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - History Secondary 4
Answer Key and Marking Scheme
Paper: Preliminary Examination Version: 2 Total Marks: 50
Section A: Source-Based Case Study
[30 marks]
Question 1(a): Study Source A. What is the message of this source? [5 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-2 | Identifies surface message only; describes content without inference |
| L2 | 3-4 | Explains message with some inference; uses some source details |
| L3 | 5 | Explains message clearly with strong inference; uses specific source details and context |
Expected Answer Framework:
The message of Source A is that the Treaty of Versailles is an unjust and humiliating imposition on Germany, and that the German people have been betrayed by their leaders.
Key points for L3 (5 marks):
- Hitler portrays the Treaty as a "crime" against Germans, emphasising victimhood
- Specific grievances identified: war guilt clause ("a lie"), reparations ("impossible to pay"), military restrictions ("cannot defend us")
- The "November Criminals" are blamed for betraying Germany by signing the Treaty
- The message calls for restoration of German honour, territory, and national pride
- Purpose: To rally support by channelling German resentment and presenting the Nazis as the solution
- Context: Delivered at a Nazi rally in 1928, when the party was still building support; the message exploits widespread anger over Versailles
Question 1(b): Does this source make you surprised by the extent of German resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles? [6 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-2 | States surprised/not surprised without explanation |
| L2 | 3-4 | Explains surprise or lack of surprise with some reference to source and/or context |
| L3 | 5-6 | Explains clearly with specific source details and contextual knowledge; establishes expectation and explains whether source confirms or contradicts it |
Expected Answer Framework:
The source does NOT make me surprised by the extent of German resentment.
Key points for L3 (6 marks):
- Establish expectation: Given the harsh terms of Versailles (territorial losses, reparations of £6.6 billion, war guilt clause, military restrictions to 100,000 men), widespread German resentment is entirely expected
- Source confirms expectation: Hitler's speech reflects exactly the anger that was prevalent—he lists the specific grievances that ordinary Germans felt
- Contextual knowledge: The Treaty was seen as a Diktat (dictated peace) because Germany was excluded from negotiations; the "stab-in-the-back" myth blamed civilian politicians for surrender
- Source type consideration: As a Nazi rally speech, it is designed to amplify existing resentment for political gain, so the strong language is not surprising
- Conclusion: The source aligns perfectly with what we know about German public opinion in the 1920s, so it does not surprise
Question 2: Study Sources B and C. How similar are these two sources as evidence about the reasons for Hitler's rise to power? [7 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-2 | Identifies similarity/difference without explanation; describes sources |
| L2 | 3-5 | Explains similarities and/or differences with some source details; may be one-sided |
| L3 | 6-7 | Explains both similarities and differences clearly; uses specific details from both sources; considers source type and perspective |
Expected Answer Framework:
Sources B and C are similar in identifying economic despair and fear as reasons for Hitler's rise, but differ in their perspective and type of evidence.
Similarities (for L3):
- Both identify economic hardship as a factor: Source B shows "Economic Despair" as a pillar supporting Hitler; Source C describes unemployment and hunger driving support for Hitler
- Both suggest that Hitler exploited existing conditions: Source B shows Hitler standing on "Broken Promises"; Source C shows Hitler making promises of "jobs, bread, and dignity"
- Both imply that fear played a role: Source B includes "Fear of Communism" as a pillar; Source C implies fear of continued poverty and hopelessness
Differences (for L3):
- Source type: Source B is a British cartoon (external, critical perspective); Source C is a German worker's memoir (internal, personal experience)
- Tone: Source B is satirical and critical (Hitler on "Broken Promises"); Source C is sympathetic and explanatory (the worker had "no hope" and "what else could I believe in?")
- Perspective: Source B suggests Hitler's support was built on manipulation of fears; Source C suggests genuine desperation drove ordinary people to support Hitler
- Audience and purpose: Source B aimed at British readers to critique Hitler; Source C is a personal recollection explaining why people supported him
Conclusion: Both sources agree that economic crisis and fear enabled Hitler's rise, but they present this from different angles—one critical and external, one personal and explanatory.
Question 3: Study Source D. Are you surprised by this source? [6 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-2 | States surprised/not surprised without explanation |
| L2 | 3-4 | Explains with some reference to source and context |
| L3 | 5-6 | Explains clearly with specific source details and contextual knowledge; establishes expectation |
Expected Answer Framework:
I am NOT surprised by this source, OR I am SOMEWHAT surprised by this source. (Either position is acceptable if well-argued.)
Argument for "Not Surprised" (L3, 6 marks):
- Establish expectation: The SPD had consistently opposed the Nazis and had been the largest party defending the Weimar Republic; it is expected they would oppose the Enabling Act
- Source confirms expectation: Wels's speech shows exactly this principled opposition—he defends "democracy and the rule of law" and refuses to be intimidated
- Contextual knowledge: The SPD was the only party to vote against the Enabling Act (the Communists had already been arrested); Wels's speech was a famous act of courage
- Source type: A Reichstag speech is a public declaration of principle, so the defiant tone is expected
- Conclusion: The source aligns with what we know about SPD opposition, so it is not surprising
Argument for "Somewhat Surprised" (L3, 6 marks):
- Establish expectation: By March 1933, the Nazis had already used intimidation (Reichstag Fire, SA violence) to suppress opposition; one might expect the SPD to be cowed into silence
- Source contradicts expectation: Despite the danger, Wels openly defies Hitler and declares that "no enabling act can give you the power to destroy ideas"
- Contextual knowledge: Many SPD members were already being arrested; Wels himself would soon go into exile; the courage to speak out under such conditions is remarkable
- Conclusion: Given the climate of terror, the open defiance is somewhat surprising, though it reflects the SPD's long-standing principles
Question 4: Study all the sources. "Hitler rose to power solely because of the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic." How far do these sources support this view? [6 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-2 | Describes sources without addressing the claim; no evaluation |
| L2 | 3-4 | Explains how some sources support/contradict the claim; limited evaluation or balance |
| L3 | 5-6 | Explains support and contradiction clearly; evaluates sources; integrates own knowledge; reaches balanced conclusion |
Expected Answer Framework:
The sources provide PARTIAL support for the view, but also suggest other factors were important.
Sources that support the view (Weimar weaknesses):
- Source C: The worker's despair and statement that "other politicians had done nothing for us" reflects Weimar's failure to solve economic problems and loss of public confidence
- Source E: The photograph of unemployed men shows the economic crisis that Weimar could not resolve, creating conditions for Hitler's rise
- Source F: Rumbold notes "years of chaos and humiliation," referring to Weimar's instability
Sources that suggest other factors:
- Source A: Shows Hitler's own role—his ability to exploit resentment over Versailles through powerful rhetoric and promises
- Source B: Identifies "Fear of Communism" as a factor, suggesting the Communist threat (and elite/ middle-class fear of it) was important, not just Weimar weakness
- Source D: Shows that there was opposition (SPD), implying that Weimar's weakness alone did not cause Hitler's rise—the Nazis also had to suppress opposition
- Source F: Notes that "many ordinary Germans appear to support" Hitler, suggesting positive appeal, not just rejection of Weimar
Own knowledge (for L3):
- Weimar weaknesses included: proportional representation (unstable coalitions), Article 48 (presidential emergency powers), association with Versailles and the "stab-in-the-back"
- Other factors included: the Great Depression (from 1929), which was a global crisis, not just Weimar's fault; Hitler's charisma and propaganda skills; SA intimidation; elite backing (industrialists, Hindenburg)
- The Enabling Act (March 1933) was passed with Centre Party support, showing that political manoeuvring, not just Weimar weakness, was involved
Conclusion: The sources support the view that Weimar's weaknesses created conditions for Hitler's rise, but they also show that Hitler's own appeal, fear of communism, and Nazi tactics were crucial. The claim that it was "solely" due to Weimar weaknesses is not supported.
Section B: Essay Questions
[20 marks each]
Question 5: "The Treaty of Versailles was a fair and just settlement." How far do you agree? [20 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-5 | Describes the Treaty without addressing fairness; narrative rather than analytical |
| L2 | 6-10 | One-sided argument (only fair or only unfair); some evidence but limited balance |
| L3 | 11-15 | Balanced argument with evidence on both sides; attempts evaluation |
| L4 | 16-20 | Well-balanced, analytical argument; strong evidence; clear conclusion with nuanced judgment |
Expected Essay Framework:
Introduction:
- Define "fair and just": Fair to whom? By what standard? (proportionate to guilt, sustainable for peace, balanced between victors and vanquished)
- State position: The Treaty had elements of fairness but was ultimately a flawed and punitive settlement
Arguments that the Treaty WAS fair:
- Germany had imposed a harsh treaty on Russia (Brest-Litovsk, 1918), so they could not claim moral high ground
- Germany had caused enormous destruction in France and Belgium; reparations were justified in principle
- The war guilt clause (Article 231) reflected the fact that Germany had encouraged Austria-Hungary's aggression
- Territorial losses largely restored lands taken previously (Alsace-Lorraine to France) or created new nation-states based on self-determination (Poland, Czechoslovakia)
- The Treaty was less harsh than what France wanted (Clemenceau had demanded the Rhineland be detached entirely)
- Germany's economy recovered in the mid-1920s (Dawes Plan, 1924), suggesting the burden was manageable
Arguments that the Treaty was NOT fair:
- Germany was excluded from negotiations; it was a Diktat (dictated peace), not a negotiated settlement
- The war guilt clause was humiliating and historically debatable—all major powers shared responsibility for the war's outbreak
- Reparations (£6.6 billion) were economically crippling and contributed to the hyperinflation of 1923
- Military restrictions (100,000 men, no air force, no submarines) left Germany defenceless and humiliated
- Territorial losses separated millions of Germans from Germany (Sudetenland, Polish Corridor), violating the principle of self-determination
- The Treaty created resentment that fuelled extremist movements (Nazis) and contributed to WWII
- Wilson's Fourteen Points had promised a more generous peace, raising expectations that were dashed
Conclusion:
- The Treaty was understandable given French security concerns and the devastation of war, but it was not truly "fair and just"
- It was too harsh to reconcile Germany but not harsh enough to permanently weaken it
- The combination of humiliation, economic burden, and exclusion from the settlement created conditions for future conflict
- Overall, the Treaty was a flawed compromise that satisfied neither victors nor vanquished
Question 6: "Stalin's rule of the Soviet Union was disastrous for the Russian people." How far do you agree? [20 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-5 | Describes Stalin's policies without evaluating impact |
| L2 | 6-10 | One-sided argument; some evidence but limited balance |
| L3 | 11-15 | Balanced argument with evidence on both sides; attempts evaluation |
| L4 | 16-20 | Well-balanced, analytical argument; strong evidence; clear conclusion with nuanced judgment |
Expected Essay Framework:
Introduction:
- Define "disastrous": In terms of human suffering, economic hardship, political freedom, or long-term development?
- State position: Stalin's rule brought immense suffering, but also transformed the USSR into a major power; the assessment depends on what we prioritise
Arguments that Stalin's rule WAS disastrous:
- Collectivisation (1928-1933): Forced peasants onto collective farms; kulaks were "liquidated as a class"; millions died in the resulting famine (Holodomor in Ukraine, 1932-33, estimated 3-5 million deaths)
- Great Purges (1936-1938): Show trials and executions of Old Bolsheviks (Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin); estimated 700,000+ executed; millions sent to Gulag labour camps
- Terror and repression: Secret police (NKVD) created a climate of fear; arbitrary arrests; family members denounced each other; no freedom of speech or political opposition
- Living standards: Consumer goods were neglected in favour of heavy industry; housing shortages, queues for basic goods; quality of life remained low for most
- Cultural destruction: Religion persecuted; churches destroyed; traditional cultures suppressed
Arguments that Stalin's rule was NOT entirely disastrous:
- Industrialisation (Five-Year Plans): USSR transformed from backward agrarian economy to industrial power; steel production, electricity, railways expanded massively; this enabled USSR to defeat Nazi Germany in WWII
- Military strength: Industrial base allowed production of tanks, aircraft, and weapons; USSR emerged as a superpower after 1945
- Education and literacy: Mass education campaigns; literacy rates rose dramatically; technical training expanded
- Social mobility: Workers and peasants could rise through the Communist Party; opportunities for women in workforce
- National pride: Many Russians felt pride in USSR's achievements (industrialisation, victory in WWII, space programme)
- Full employment: Unlike capitalist countries during the Great Depression, the USSR had no unemployment
Conclusion:
- In terms of human cost (millions dead, terror, loss of freedom), Stalin's rule was undoubtedly disastrous
- However, the USSR was transformed into an industrial and military power, which some saw as necessary for survival
- The assessment is complex: the same policies that caused suffering also built the foundations of Soviet power
- Overall, the human cost was so enormous that "disastrous" is a fair characterisation, even acknowledging the achievements
Question 7: "Japan's defeat in World War II was caused primarily by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki." How far do you agree? [20 marks]
Marking Scheme:
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 1-5 | Describes events without analysing causation |
| L2 | 6-10 | One-sided argument; some evidence but limited balance |
| L3 | 11-15 | Balanced argument with evidence on both sides; attempts evaluation |
| L4 | 16-20 | Well-balanced, analytical argument; strong evidence; clear conclusion with nuanced judgment |
Expected Essay Framework:
Introduction:
- Define "primarily": Were the atomic bombs the main cause, or one factor among many?
- State position: The atomic bombs were a significant factor in Japan's surrender, but Japan's defeat was already inevitable due to multiple other factors
Arguments that atomic bombs WERE the primary cause:
- The bombs caused unprecedented destruction: Hiroshima (6 August 1945) killed ~80,000 instantly; Nagasaki (9 August 1945) killed ~40,000; total deaths estimated at 200,000+
- The psychological shock was immense: a single bomb could destroy an entire city
- Emperor Hirohito specifically cited the atomic bombs in his surrender broadcast (15 August 1945): "the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb"
- The bombs broke the deadlock in the Japanese government: the Supreme War Council was split 3-3 on surrender; the bombs tipped the balance
- The Soviet declaration of war (8 August 1945) occurred between the two bombs, but the bombs were the decisive factor for the Emperor
Arguments that OTHER factors were more important:
- Japan was already defeated militarily: The US island-hopping campaign had captured Okinawa (June 1945), putting Japan within bombing range; the Japanese navy and air force were largely destroyed
- Naval blockade (Operation Starvation): US submarines and mines had cut off Japan's supply lines; Japan was starving and could not import oil, food, or raw materials
- Conventional bombing: The firebombing of Tokyo (March 1945) killed ~100,000 in one night—comparable to the atomic bombs; 67 Japanese cities had been heavily bombed
- Soviet declaration of war (8 August 1945): The USSR invaded Manchuria, destroying Japan's last hope of a negotiated peace through Soviet mediation; this was arguably as important as the bombs
- Japan's industrial weakness: Japan could not match US production; by 1945, the US was producing vastly more ships, planes, and weapons
- The Emperor's role: Some historians argue the Emperor was looking for a way to surrender while preserving the imperial institution; the bombs provided a face-saving reason
Conclusion:
- The atomic bombs were a dramatic and visible cause of Japan's surrender, but they were not the primary cause of Japan's defeat
- Japan's defeat was the result of cumulative factors: naval blockade, conventional bombing, industrial inferiority, and loss of territory
- The bombs accelerated the surrender and may have prevented a costly invasion (Operation Downfall), but Japan was already defeated
- The Soviet entry into the war was arguably equally important, as it eliminated Japan's last diplomatic option
- Overall, the atomic bombs were a significant but not primary cause; Japan's defeat was already assured by mid-1945
END OF ANSWER KEY