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paper 4 history

The document outlines guidelines for writing Paper 4 answers, detailing the structure for both 15 and 25 marker questions. It also provides a historical account of the German Revolution of 1918 and the Munich Putsch, emphasizing the strategic shift in Nazi tactics from violent revolution to legal political methods. The impacts of these events on the Weimar Republic and the Nazi Party's evolution are discussed, highlighting the significance of public perception and internal organization.

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5 views

paper 4 history

The document outlines guidelines for writing Paper 4 answers, detailing the structure for both 15 and 25 marker questions. It also provides a historical account of the German Revolution of 1918 and the Munich Putsch, emphasizing the strategic shift in Nazi tactics from violent revolution to legal political methods. The impacts of these events on the Weimar Republic and the Nazi Party's evolution are discussed, highlighting the significance of public perception and internal organization.

Uploaded by

aahanag10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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March 2024 42

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Spec paper 4 2024


How to write paper 4 answers
15 marker:
-​ 3-4 paragraphs detailing the sequence of events of the given topic
-​ No analysis, no evaluation, only knowledge in a sequential format
-​ Stay focused on the given topic throughout the answer
-​ No intro or conclusion
-​ Connect paragraphs in chronological order
25 marker:
-​ _______ had many important impacts/was important for many reasons. Firstly,......
-​ 4-5 facets/body paragraphs
-​ Topic sentence “one impact/this was important because….”
-​ Explain why the selected facet is important
-​ What caused it/what did it lead to?
-​ Depth of impact/scale of impact
-​ Conclusion
-​ State which of the facets is the most significant
-​ Explain in terms of the one facet
-​ Compare with other facets based on scale/depth to prove point
Answer: specimen paper question 3
3 (a)
In September 1918, The German military General Erich Ludendorff was on the frontlines and
conceded that Germany could not win World War 1 and would have to surrender. Bringing this
issue to rise, the military demanded that the Kaiser, its virtual dictator who had been leading
Germany through the war, should abdicate, as well as for Germany to become a Socialist
Republic like the one in Russia. Alongside them, German Citizens marched into the Berlin City
Centre and protested against the Kaiser's Government. When the Kaiser refused to abdicate,
The German Revolution of 1918 began as soldiers on the port of Kiel mutinied, refusing to go
out on sea as a suicide mission against the British Navy. ​
​
On 9th November 1918, the Kaiser finally abdicated and moved to neutral Holland to spend the
rest of his life there in exile. Prince Max, the appointed Chancellor under the Kaiser,
announced this to the public and a Socialist Government was hastily formed under Freidrich
Ebert. This was known as the Weimar Republic, because it was formed and met in the city of
Weimar instead of Berlin, where there was too much social outrage to discuss any political
matters. On 11th November, the Weimar Republic signed the Armistice, signalling the end of
the war and Germany’s loss. Ceasefire began only 6 hours later. The German public hated
Weimar for surrendering, and so did the military, believing their casualties and
disillusionment were all gone to waste. The German Revolution also led the Weimar Republic
to include women’s suffrage rights in the electoral bill.

In January 1919, free elections took place in Germany for the very first time. Ebert’s party won
the largest share of the vote, meaning he was the first President of the Weimar Republic. They
signed the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919, and Ebert signed the Weimar Constitution in
August 1919. The constitution clearly replaced the German president with the Kaiser as head of
state, with re-elections to take place every 7 years. The Reichstag parliament was given
re-elections every 4 years, with proportional representation, proving Germany to develop into
a democratic country.
Answer: March 2024 42
3 (b)
One of the most significant impacts of the Munich Putsch was the shift in Nazi strategy from
violent revolution to legal political methods. Before the putsch, Hitler believed that the Weimar
Republic could be overthrown through force, inspired by Mussolini’s successful March on
Rome in 1922. However, the failure of the putsch, the lack of military support, and the swift
suppression by the authorities demonstrated that a direct coup was impossible. During his
trial, Hitler used the courtroom as a propaganda platform, realizing that public opinion and
institutional control were more powerful tools than outright rebellion. After his release from
prison, he focused on gaining power through elections, reorganizing the Nazi Party to function
as a legitimate political movement. This strategic shift was the most important long-term
consequence of the putsch, as it allowed the Nazis to exploit democracy to destroy democracy,
culminating in Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in 1933.

Another major impact was the effect of the trial and Hitler’s imprisonment on his personal
status and the Nazi Party’s public image. Instead of being dismissed as a failed revolutionary,
Hitler emerged as a nationalist hero in the eyes of many Germans. The trial gave him a
national platform to justify his actions, denounce the Treaty of Versailles, and portray himself
as a patriot fighting against the "traitorous" Weimar government. He received only a lenient
sentence of five years (of which he served just nine months), reinforcing the perception that
right-wing extremism was tolerated more than left-wing threats. While in prison, Hitler wrote
Mein Kampf, outlining his vision for Germany, which later became the ideological foundation
of the Nazi movement. Without the trial and imprisonment, Hitler might have remained a
fringe figure, but instead, he gained unprecedented recognition, which later helped in the Nazi
Party’s electoral rise.

The putsch also had a critical impact on the internal structure and discipline of the Nazi Party.
Before 1923, the Nazis were a relatively disorganized paramilitary group relying on violence
and intimidation. The failure of the putsch forced Hitler to rethink this approach, leading to
the restructuring of the party into a more centralized and disciplined organization. He
established a hierarchical leadership model under his sole authority (Führerprinzip), ensuring
that all party decisions aligned with his vision. The SA (Stormtroopers), though still active,
became more controlled, while the Nazi propaganda machine was strengthened. The creation
of regional branches (Gauleiters) and the use of propaganda transformed the party from a
radical street movement into a formidable political force. This structural reorganization was
vital in enabling the Nazis to expand their support base and dominate German politics in the
1930s.
A final impact of the putsch was the way it contributed to Nazi mythology and the idea of
martyrdom. Despite its failure, the Nazis later framed the putsch as a noble sacrifice for
Germany. The 16 Nazis who died were glorified as martyrs, with annual commemorations and
marches reinforcing the narrative of Nazi struggle and resilience. The event was woven into
Nazi propaganda, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among members. This mythology
helped strengthen loyalty to Hitler, as he was portrayed as a leader who had personally risked
everything for Germany. The Nazi Party used this to maintain its image as a revolutionary
force, even as it pursued power through legal means. Without this carefully cultivated
narrative, the party may have struggled to maintain internal cohesion and ideological
commitment during the years before its electoral success.

Overall, the most important impact of the Munich Putsch was the strategic shift from violent
revolution to legal political maneuvering. While the other effects—Hitler’s rise in status, the
restructuring of the Nazi Party, and the creation of Nazi mythology—were crucial, they all
contributed to this fundamental change in approach. The Nazis’ ability to use democratic
institutions to dismantle democracy itself was a direct consequence of the lessons learned
from 1923. Without the putsch, Hitler may have continued to rely on force, likely leading to
further failures and suppression rather than political dominance.

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