Paper 3 Section 13: Europe and the First World War (1871-1918)

To what extent was the decline of the Ottoman Empire the most significant long-term cause of the First World War? Nov 2020

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the view that the decline of the Ottoman Empire was the most significant long-term cause of the First World War.

Candidates may refer to the decline of the Ottoman Empire as a major reason for geopolitical expansion on the part of all, or nearly all, the major powers.

Some may argue that the importance of the "Eastern Question" and the rivalry between Russia and Austria-Hungary that developed as a consequence of the decline of Ottoman power was a major cause of the war. These tensions were also fuelled by key political and economic interests in the region.

Some candidates may mention that the political vacuum that the Ottoman Empire left, after the loss of Balkan territories in the Balkan Wars, had an emboldening effect on Slavic nationalism which contributed to the outbreak of war.

Some may argue that Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908 angered the Russian Empire and increased tensions between the two major alliances.

Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, German imperialism and expansionism, or the general atmosphere of militarism linked to the arms race, but with a focus on the issue in the question.

Candidates' opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

"The strategic errors of the Central Powers were the most significant reason for their defeat in 1918." Discuss. Nov 2020

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the strategic errors of the Central Powers were the most significant reason for their defeat in 1918.

Candidates may refer to military tactics and errors such as the Schlieffen Plan; events such as the battle of the Marne or Verdun; or unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, which could be considered a cause of the US entry into the war and significant to their defeat.

Some may argue that the continuation of German offensives in 1917-1918 contributed to their defeat or that the weakness and different power balance between the Central Powers and the Entente was a significant reason.

Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, the internal domestic challenges within the Central Powers, the crumbling of Germany's allies or the differing levels of economic resources on both sides.

Candidates' opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Evaluate the impact of the Congress of Berlin on the European Alliance system. Nov 2019

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of the Congress of Berlin on the European Alliance system.

Candidates may refer to the increasing tensions between Austria-Hungary and Russia and the fracturing of the Dreikaiserbund. Consequently, Bismarck signed the Dual Alliance with Austria in 1879 and temporarily revived the Dreikaiserbund in 1881.

Candidates may discuss Russia being thwarted with regard to its Pan-Slavism in the Balkans, damaging its relations with Austria and Germany, and limiting the importance of the Dreikaiserbund.

Some may argue that the impact was long term and contributed to the FrancoRussian Alliance 1894.

The main impact of the Congress was the establishment of the long lasting Dual Alliance.

Candidates may refer to Britain and Austria finding ways of expanding their spheres of influence.

While other relevant factors, for example the role of the Ottoman empire, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.

Compare and contrast the impact of the First World War on the civilian populations in two countries up to 1918. Nov 2019

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences of the impact of the First World War on the civilian populations in two countries up to 1918, referring to both throughout.

Candidates may refer to similar experiences of citizens in terms of their rights and freedoms being curbed due to government policies.

Candidates may refer to citizens being exposed to intense nationalist feeling and euphoria early on.

Candidates may refer to different levels of intensity and disruption of daily life across social, economic or political factors.

Candidates may refer to the impact varying for urban and rural populations.

Candidates may refer to similarities or differences in terms of economic mobilization and impact.

Both similarities and differences must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on each.

German foreign policy did not lead to the outbreak of the First World War." Discuss. May 2019

"The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement.

Candidates may refer to Balkan nationalism as a key cause, along with the Alliance System which arguably made it easier for a local conflict to lead to a generalised war.

Some may argue that it was Germany's clumsy diplomacy, for example the Moroccan Crises, that caused tension, rather than the policies themselves.

To disagree, it could be argued that Weltpolitik and the naval race with Britain contributed to a suspicion of Germany's intentions.

Candidates may also argue that it was a failure to resolve the July Crisis in 1914 that led to the outbreak of the war.

Discuss the factors that led to the defeat of Germany and the other Central Powers in the First World War. May 2019

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the factors that led to the defeat of Germany and the other Central Powers.

Candidates may refer to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan and other strategic and tactical errors made by Germany and the other Central Powers. These may include the decision to invade Belgium bringing Britain into the war, unrestricted U-boat warfare which antagonized the US, and the failure of the Spring Offensive in 1918.

Domestic instability and weak governments in the Central Powers may also be considered.

Economic factors such as the impact of the Allied Blockade could be discussed.

The entry and role of the US was also important, as it brought in new resources against the weakened and war-weary Central Powers.

Evaluate the importance of the long- and short-term causes of the First World War. Nov 2018

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the short- and long-term reasons for the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.

Candidates may separate the causes into two distinct groups (long-term and short-term). However, it is expected that candidates identify that causes did not work in isolation and that they were interconnected.

Long-term causes that may be mentioned include rising militarism, the Alliance System, imperialism, and aggressive nationalism in the major powers and other territories in Europe such as the Balkans.

Short-term causes may include the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the July Crisis and the failure of diplomacy.

Other short-term causes could include the impact of war plans, such as the Schlieffen Plan, widening the conflict.

To what extent did US entry into the First World War contribute to Allied victory? Nov 2018

The question requires that candidates consider how far the entry of the US into the First World War contributed to the Allied victory.

They may identify a range of factors that support the view that US entry was a major factor in Allied victory.

Some may propose an alternative thesis and argue that other factors were more important, for example the overwhelming strength in numbers of the Allied forces, especially following the entry of Italian forces in 1915 and the impact of British Imperial and dominion forces.

Economic factors, including the blockade, the failed war economy in Germany, the weakness of German allies and the domestic instability within the Central Powers, may also be considered.

Nevertheless, the bulk of the response must deal with the significance or otherwise of US entry into the war.

To what extent was Balkan nationalism a significant cause of the First World War? May 2018

Candidates are required to consider the view that Balkan nationalism was a major cause of war. While other factors will be considered to provide context, the focus of the response must be on Balkan nationalism.

When discussing this issue, candidates may refer to the long-term decline of the Ottoman Empire leading to nationalist aspirations and resentment of Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which eventually contributed to the outbreak of war.

On the other hand, candidates could also argue that the impact of Balkan nationalism could have been limited to a possible third Balkan War if other factors had not intervened. Other factors that turned a Balkan conflict into a wider war may include the alliance system, the "blank cheque", Russia's decision to mobilize and, arguably, Britain's failure to clarify its position if Germany attacked France.

Some may argue that German nationalism was more significant than Balkan nationalism.

With reference to the period up to 1918, discuss the reasons for, and the impact of, US entry into the First World War. May 2018

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for and significance of US entry into the war. There may be some imbalance but both elements should be discussed.

Reasons for may include unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmerman Telegram, inclination of the US to enter the war on the side of Britain and France, and events in Russia, which made it possible to describe the war as a "fight for democracy".

When considering the significance of US entry arguments may vary.

Some will argue the impact of fresh US troops led to Allied victory, while others could stress the contribution in military supplies and financial support, arguing that the military significance of US troops was limited.

It may be argued that other factors, such as Germany's weak allies, the naval blockade and Allied victories in 1918 (Amiens) had a greater impact on the outcome of the war.

"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

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the 1878 Congress of Berlin was the high point of European diplomacy.

Some may focus on the Congress itself, others may compare the Congress against other events or factors that had a positive impact on European diplomacy.

It could be argued that the Congress achieved the resolution of tensions over the Eastern Question avoiding conflict particularly between Russia and Austria-Hungary and avoided war in the Balkans for several decades.

Alternatively, it could be argued that it stored up tensions for the future by allowing Austria control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The hostility of Russia contributed to the establishment of the alliance system and ultimately the First World War. Some may argue that there were other greater diplomatic achievements such as the resolution of the two Moroccan crises.

"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

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the outbreak of the First World War was the result of the failure to manage the July Crisis of 1914.

The key crisis must be discussed; however, the extent of this discussion may vary based on each candidate's interpretation of events.

Some may focus almost entirely on the events of the July Crisis whereas others may seek to place it in the wider context and offer a comprehensive assessment of other factors, for example militarism, colonial rivalry or the alliance system.

Some may argue that failure to manage the crisis brought the alliance system into play, escalating a crisis in the Balkans into a European and later world war.

Some may also point out that previous crises such as Morocco or Bosnia had been successfully managed and war avoided.

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

Candidates will consider the impact of Kaiser Wilhelm II's foreign policy on Britain, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary.

Candidates may focus on how relations between these powers and Germany were affected by the Kaiser's foreign policy.

They may also discuss whether the four countries' wider foreign relations (for example with each other and other powers) were altered because of the Kaiser's policy as well as any other effects it may have had on each or all of them.

Candidates may consider how Britain became increasingly unlikely to form an alliance with Germany, noting the impact of issues such as the Kruger Telegram, the naval race and the Moroccan crises.

Candidates may argue that the Kaiser's foreign policy contributed to the Dual Alliance between France and Russia.

They may also refer to the actions taken by Austria-Hungary that were supported by Germany, such as the Bosnian Crisis (1908) and the "blank cheque" (1914).

While this is not a question about the causes of the First World War, candidates may argue that the wider impact of Wilhelm's policies was the division of Europe into two opposing alliance systems.

"Domestic instability was the main factor in Germany requesting an armistice in 1918." Discuss. May 2017

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that domestic problems were the main factor behind Germany requesting an armistice in 1918.

When considering domestic problems there will be clear links as to how these affected the prosecution of the war.

Evidence of domestic instability may include food riots after the "Turnip Winter", major disturbances in industrial areas between January and February 1918, the Kiel Mutiny of October 1918 and the fear of revolution.

These may all have contributed to the decision to request an armistice. Military factors discussed may include the failure of the Ludendorff Offensive and the Battle of Amiens.

The fact that the military leaders had less influence on policy, made an armistice more likely.

The strength of the Allies and the belief that peace negotiations would be based on Wilson's Fourteen Points could also be considered as relevant factors.

Evaluate the claim that German foreign policy was the main cause of the First World War. (Specimen 2017)

Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements of the question and effectively deploy knowledge of the key issue(s) raised by the question; in this case examination of various causes of the First World War and a consideration of the significance of German foreign policy in provoking the war.

Points discussed may include:

•Weltpolitik, "Place in the sun"; examples could include the First and Second Moroccan crises, naval race with Britain;

• German failure to renew the Reinsurance Treaty and greater support for Austria-Hungary (egthe Bosnian crisis of 1908-9 and the "blank cheque" of July 1914);

• Some may argue that the erratic nature of German foreign policy was due to some extent to the character of Wilhelm II and that this led to distrust of Germany

;• Looking at other causes of the war, candidates could discuss the development of "two armed camps" between the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance;

• Broader problems of increased nationalism, particularly in the Balkans, led to instability as did the decline of the Ottoman Empire;

• There could be an examination of the failure to manage the July 1914 crisis successfully by all the major powers (war had been averted in previous crises);

• Some may argue that many nations were willing to go to war in 1914 as a distraction from domestic problems (egGermany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Britain, France);

• Responses achieving marks in the top bands will provide a clear judgment on the claim that German foreign policy was the main cause of the First World War.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses; however, it is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the "best fit" to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

Discuss the effects of the First World War on the civilian population in any one European country.

Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements of the question and effectively deploy knowledge of the key issue(s) raised by the question; in this case candidates should focus clearly on effects of the war on the civilian population in their chosen country and avoid discussion of military events.

Points discussed may include:

• Britain, Germany, France and Russia are likely to be popular choices, but candidates may write about any other European country;

• Initial national unity and support for respective governments;

• The impact of conscription including the movement of women into the workforce;

• Economic impact; increased government control of the economy;

• Health of the population and rationing; civilian casualties where appropriate;

• Growth of labour unrest and political radicalism, especially in Germany and Russia;

Responses achieving marks in the top bands will provide a clear judgment on the effects of the First World War on the civilian population in the country selected for discussion.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses; however, it is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the "best fit" to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

Evaluate the impact of imperial expansion in Africa and Asia on European diplomacy. May 2021

Mark scheme not available as yet, what do you believe the response should be?

To what extent did domestic instability in the Central Powers contribute to their defeat in 1918?

Mark scheme not available as yet, what do you believe the response should be?