AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY DEMOCRACY AND NAZISM PAPER 2O
(THIS HAS ALL THE PAST PAPERS FROM 2017 TO 2024, AND ALL THE SPECIMEN PAPERS AND
MARK SCHEME AND ANSWERS FOR REVISION.)
,AQA ALEVEL MARK SCHEME AND GENERAL GUIDIANCE
THE ABOVE IS FOR QUESTION 1 WHICH IS THE SOURCE QUESTION AND THE SECOND MARK
SCHEME GUIDIANCE IS FOR QUESTION 2, QUESTION 3 AND QUESTION 4.
Target: AO2 Analyse and evaluate appropriate source material, primary and/or contemporary to
the period, within the historical context.
Generic Mark Scheme
L5: Shows a very good understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and
provenance and combines this with a strong awareness of the historical context to present a
balanced argument on their value for the particular purpose given in the question. The answer
will convey a substantiated judgement. The response demonstrates a very good understanding
of context. 25–30
L4: Shows a good understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and provenance
and combines this with an awareness of the historical context to provide a balanced argument on
their value for the particular purpose given in the question. Judgements may, however, be partial
or limited in substantiation. The response demonstrates a good understanding of context. 19–24
L3: Shows some understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and provenance
together with some awareness of the historical context. There may, however, be some imbalance
in the degree of breadth and depth of comment offered on all three sources and the analysis may
not be fully convincing. The answer will make some attempt to consider the value of the sources
for the particular purpose given in the question. The response demonstrates an understanding of
context. 13–18
L2: The answer will be partial. It may, for example, provide some comment on the value of the
sources for the particular purpose given in the question but only address one or two of the
sources, or focus exclusively on content (or provenance), or it may consider all three sources
but fail to address the value of the sources for the particular purpose given in the question. The
response demonstrates some understanding of context. 7–12
L1: The answer will offer some comment on the value of at least one source in relation to the
purpose given in the question but the response will be limited and may be partially inaccurate.
Comments are likely to be unsupported, vague or generalist. The response demonstrates limited
understanding of context. 1–6
Nothing worthy of credit. 0
,THIS IS FOR QUESTION 2, 3, AND 4 of every year and its paper.
Target: AO1 Demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse
and evaluate the key features related to the periods studied, making substantiated judgements
and exploring concepts, as relevant, of cause, consequence, change, continuity, similarity,
difference and significance.
Generic Mark Scheme
L5: Answers will display a very good understanding of the full demands of the question. They will
be well-organised and effectively delivered. The supporting information will be well-selected,
specific and precise. It will show a very good understanding of key features, issues and
concepts. The answer will be fully analytical with a balanced argument and well substantiated
judgement. 21-25
L4: Answers will display a good understanding of the demands of the question. It will be
well-organised and effectively communicated. There will be a range of clear and specific
supporting information showing a good understanding of key features and issues, together with
some conceptual awareness. The answer will be analytical in style with a range of direct
comment relating to the question. The answer will be well-balanced with some judgement, which
may, however, be only partially substantiated. 16-20
L3: Answers will show an understanding of the question and will supply a range of largely
accurate information which will show an awareness of some of the key issues and features, but
may, however, be unspecific or lack precision of detail. The answer will be effectively organised
and show adequate communication skills. There will be a good deal of comment in relation to the
question and the answer will display some balance, but a number of statements may be
inadequately supported and generalist. 11-15
L2: The answer is descriptive or partial, showing some awareness of the question but a failure to
grasp its full demands. There will be some attempt to convey material in an organised way
although communication skills may be limited. There will be some appropriate information
showing understanding of some key features and/or issues, but the answer may be very limited
in scope and/or contain inaccuracy and irrelevance. There will be some, but limited, comment in
relation to the question and statements will, for the most part, be unsupported and generalist.
6-10
L1: The question has not been properly understood and the response shows limited
organisational and communication skills. The information conveyed is irrelevant or extremely
limited. There may be some unsupported, vague or generalist comment. 1-5
Nothing worthy of credit. 0
, A-level HISTORY Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 Paper 2O Specimen 2014 Morning
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes Section A Answer Question 01. Source A
Source A
From a newspaper article by Ernst Röhm, published in June 1933.
The SA and the SS are the foundation pillars of the coming National Socialist state. The SA and the SS are the
militant-spiritual bearers of the Will of the German Revolution. Anyone who only wanted to be a fellow traveller during
shining torchlight processions and impressive parades with rumbling drums, with blaring trumpets and under waving flags
and believes he has ‘taken part’ in the German Revolution – he can go home! The fighters in the simple brown service shirts
of the SA and the SS will not miss him on their path forwards to the German Revolution; just as they did not miss him when
in long years marked by sacrifices and blood, they fought their passionate fight for a new Germany. We, the SA, will not
tolerate the German Revolution going to sleep or being betrayed at the half way stage by non-combatants. For the Brown
Army is the last fighting force of the nation, the last bastion against Communism. If the German Revolution is wrecked by
reactionary opposition, by incompetence or idleness, the German people will fall into despair. If bourgeois simpletons think
it is enough that the state apparatus has received a new sign, if they think the ‘national’ revolution has already gone on too
long, then for once we agree with them. It is in fact high time that the national revolution stopped and became the National
Socialist one.
Source B
From a speech by Franz von Papen, the German Vice Chancellor, at Marburg 17 June 1934.
No nation can afford an eternal revolt from below if that nation wishes to continue to exist. At some time the movement
must come to an end; at some time a firm social structure must emerge and it must be supported by an incorruptible
judiciary and an uncontested state authority. Permanent dynamism cannot shape anything lasting. We must not let
Germany become a train tearing along the way to nowhere. The German government is well informed concerning the
selfishness, beastliness and arrogance that are now spreading under the disguise of the German Revolution.
Source C
From ‘Knaves, Fools and Heroes’, the memoirs of Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, published in 1974. In 1934 Wheeler-Bennett
was a young Englishman living in Berlin who had good contacts with the British Embassy and with leading officers in the
German Army.
The impact of Papen’s Marburg speech upon the Nazi hierarchy was one of nearpanic, as rumours reached them that
Papen’s warning, with its barely concealed attack on Goebbels, had the backing of Field Marshal Hindenburg and the Army
I am not likely to forget those last two weeks of June 1934 in Berlin. The atmosphere, both meteorologically and politically,
was stormy. Oppressive thunderstorms worked their way up and down the River Spree, without actually breaking. In the
same way, apprehensive rumours flew around the capital, as was only possible in Berlin. I was deeply depressed and not a
little fearful. Everyone seemed to feel that a storm was about to burst. The days went on, the days of awful waiting. Would
there be an anti-climax? Or would Hitler strike? And against whom?
(THIS HAS ALL THE PAST PAPERS FROM 2017 TO 2024, AND ALL THE SPECIMEN PAPERS AND
MARK SCHEME AND ANSWERS FOR REVISION.)
,AQA ALEVEL MARK SCHEME AND GENERAL GUIDIANCE
THE ABOVE IS FOR QUESTION 1 WHICH IS THE SOURCE QUESTION AND THE SECOND MARK
SCHEME GUIDIANCE IS FOR QUESTION 2, QUESTION 3 AND QUESTION 4.
Target: AO2 Analyse and evaluate appropriate source material, primary and/or contemporary to
the period, within the historical context.
Generic Mark Scheme
L5: Shows a very good understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and
provenance and combines this with a strong awareness of the historical context to present a
balanced argument on their value for the particular purpose given in the question. The answer
will convey a substantiated judgement. The response demonstrates a very good understanding
of context. 25–30
L4: Shows a good understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and provenance
and combines this with an awareness of the historical context to provide a balanced argument on
their value for the particular purpose given in the question. Judgements may, however, be partial
or limited in substantiation. The response demonstrates a good understanding of context. 19–24
L3: Shows some understanding of all three sources in relation to both content and provenance
together with some awareness of the historical context. There may, however, be some imbalance
in the degree of breadth and depth of comment offered on all three sources and the analysis may
not be fully convincing. The answer will make some attempt to consider the value of the sources
for the particular purpose given in the question. The response demonstrates an understanding of
context. 13–18
L2: The answer will be partial. It may, for example, provide some comment on the value of the
sources for the particular purpose given in the question but only address one or two of the
sources, or focus exclusively on content (or provenance), or it may consider all three sources
but fail to address the value of the sources for the particular purpose given in the question. The
response demonstrates some understanding of context. 7–12
L1: The answer will offer some comment on the value of at least one source in relation to the
purpose given in the question but the response will be limited and may be partially inaccurate.
Comments are likely to be unsupported, vague or generalist. The response demonstrates limited
understanding of context. 1–6
Nothing worthy of credit. 0
,THIS IS FOR QUESTION 2, 3, AND 4 of every year and its paper.
Target: AO1 Demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse
and evaluate the key features related to the periods studied, making substantiated judgements
and exploring concepts, as relevant, of cause, consequence, change, continuity, similarity,
difference and significance.
Generic Mark Scheme
L5: Answers will display a very good understanding of the full demands of the question. They will
be well-organised and effectively delivered. The supporting information will be well-selected,
specific and precise. It will show a very good understanding of key features, issues and
concepts. The answer will be fully analytical with a balanced argument and well substantiated
judgement. 21-25
L4: Answers will display a good understanding of the demands of the question. It will be
well-organised and effectively communicated. There will be a range of clear and specific
supporting information showing a good understanding of key features and issues, together with
some conceptual awareness. The answer will be analytical in style with a range of direct
comment relating to the question. The answer will be well-balanced with some judgement, which
may, however, be only partially substantiated. 16-20
L3: Answers will show an understanding of the question and will supply a range of largely
accurate information which will show an awareness of some of the key issues and features, but
may, however, be unspecific or lack precision of detail. The answer will be effectively organised
and show adequate communication skills. There will be a good deal of comment in relation to the
question and the answer will display some balance, but a number of statements may be
inadequately supported and generalist. 11-15
L2: The answer is descriptive or partial, showing some awareness of the question but a failure to
grasp its full demands. There will be some attempt to convey material in an organised way
although communication skills may be limited. There will be some appropriate information
showing understanding of some key features and/or issues, but the answer may be very limited
in scope and/or contain inaccuracy and irrelevance. There will be some, but limited, comment in
relation to the question and statements will, for the most part, be unsupported and generalist.
6-10
L1: The question has not been properly understood and the response shows limited
organisational and communication skills. The information conveyed is irrelevant or extremely
limited. There may be some unsupported, vague or generalist comment. 1-5
Nothing worthy of credit. 0
, A-level HISTORY Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 Paper 2O Specimen 2014 Morning
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes Section A Answer Question 01. Source A
Source A
From a newspaper article by Ernst Röhm, published in June 1933.
The SA and the SS are the foundation pillars of the coming National Socialist state. The SA and the SS are the
militant-spiritual bearers of the Will of the German Revolution. Anyone who only wanted to be a fellow traveller during
shining torchlight processions and impressive parades with rumbling drums, with blaring trumpets and under waving flags
and believes he has ‘taken part’ in the German Revolution – he can go home! The fighters in the simple brown service shirts
of the SA and the SS will not miss him on their path forwards to the German Revolution; just as they did not miss him when
in long years marked by sacrifices and blood, they fought their passionate fight for a new Germany. We, the SA, will not
tolerate the German Revolution going to sleep or being betrayed at the half way stage by non-combatants. For the Brown
Army is the last fighting force of the nation, the last bastion against Communism. If the German Revolution is wrecked by
reactionary opposition, by incompetence or idleness, the German people will fall into despair. If bourgeois simpletons think
it is enough that the state apparatus has received a new sign, if they think the ‘national’ revolution has already gone on too
long, then for once we agree with them. It is in fact high time that the national revolution stopped and became the National
Socialist one.
Source B
From a speech by Franz von Papen, the German Vice Chancellor, at Marburg 17 June 1934.
No nation can afford an eternal revolt from below if that nation wishes to continue to exist. At some time the movement
must come to an end; at some time a firm social structure must emerge and it must be supported by an incorruptible
judiciary and an uncontested state authority. Permanent dynamism cannot shape anything lasting. We must not let
Germany become a train tearing along the way to nowhere. The German government is well informed concerning the
selfishness, beastliness and arrogance that are now spreading under the disguise of the German Revolution.
Source C
From ‘Knaves, Fools and Heroes’, the memoirs of Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, published in 1974. In 1934 Wheeler-Bennett
was a young Englishman living in Berlin who had good contacts with the British Embassy and with leading officers in the
German Army.
The impact of Papen’s Marburg speech upon the Nazi hierarchy was one of nearpanic, as rumours reached them that
Papen’s warning, with its barely concealed attack on Goebbels, had the backing of Field Marshal Hindenburg and the Army
I am not likely to forget those last two weeks of June 1934 in Berlin. The atmosphere, both meteorologically and politically,
was stormy. Oppressive thunderstorms worked their way up and down the River Spree, without actually breaking. In the
same way, apprehensive rumours flew around the capital, as was only possible in Berlin. I was deeply depressed and not a
little fearful. Everyone seemed to feel that a storm was about to burst. The days went on, the days of awful waiting. Would
there be an anti-climax? Or would Hitler strike? And against whom?
