AQA A-level HISTORY Component 2O Democracy and Nazism:
Germany, 1918–1945
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, 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
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?
, (01) With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the events leading up
to ‘Night of the Long Knives’, 30 June 1934. [30 marks]
Section B
Answer two questions.
(02)‘By 1928, the Weimar Republic was both economically prosperous and politically
stable.’
Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
(03)'The Nazi economic miracle was the main reason for the popularity of Hitler’s
regime in the years 1933 to 1940.’
Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
(04) To what extent did the Nazi regime bring about a social revolution in Germany in
the years 1933 to 1945? [25 marks]
END OF QUESTIONS
Germany, 1918–1945
PAST PAPERS FROM 2014 SPECIMEN PAPER TO 2024 PAPER.
7042/ PAPER 2O.
, 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
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?
, (01) With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the events leading up
to ‘Night of the Long Knives’, 30 June 1934. [30 marks]
Section B
Answer two questions.
(02)‘By 1928, the Weimar Republic was both economically prosperous and politically
stable.’
Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
(03)'The Nazi economic miracle was the main reason for the popularity of Hitler’s
regime in the years 1933 to 1940.’
Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
(04) To what extent did the Nazi regime bring about a social revolution in Germany in
the years 1933 to 1945? [25 marks]
END OF QUESTIONS
