GCSE History Paper One
Germany 1890-1945 Democracy and Dictatorship Exam Questions
1. Interpretation “spot the differences” question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. How does Interpretation A differ from Interpretation B about…
Hint: Think about what the interpretations suggest or say about the topic. Read
the interpretations carefully!
2. Interpretation “explain the differences” question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different
interpretation about…
Hint: Use the authors’ backgrounds, experiences, dates of writing, purpose of
writing to explain why they give different interpretations.
3. Convincing interpretation question (8 marks = 10 minutes)
e.g. Which interpretation do you find more convincing about…
Hint: Use your own knowledge to support the ideas in both interpretations and
then reach a conclusion.
4. Describe two question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. Describe two…
Hint: Identify a relevant issue and then extend it with subject knowledge.
5. Change question (8 marks = 10 minutes)
e.g. In what ways were…
Hint: Give multiple examples of changes and use specific subject knowledge.
6. “Bullet point essay” (12 marks = 15 minutes)
e.g. Which of the following…
Explain your answer with reference to both…
Hint: Have a separate paragraph for each bullet point and then reach a conclusion.
, Interpretation A
Everything about him was reasonable and ordinary looking; he was no shrieking fanatic in a uniform. He
spoke passionately; it was hypnotic and persuasive. We were carried on a wave of enthusiasm. It swept
away our doubts. Here, it seemed was hope, new ideals, a new understanding. The peril of communism
could be stopped.
Albert Speer, writing in his book, ‘Inside the Third Reich’ written in 1960. He remembers hearing
Adolf Hitler speak in January 1931 at Berlin University. Albert Speer went on to become the Nazi
Minister for weapons. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison after the war and released in 1966.
Interpretation B
If there is one point on which we all agree, it must be surely that Hitler owes his rise and ultimate
victory to the World Economic Crisis. Hitler appealed to the despair of the unemployed workers; the
young people who had no future; to the middle class businessman and craftsman heading for
bankruptcy and to the farmers threatened with a fall in agricultural prices.
Victor Schiff, in an article written in 1950 where he explains Hitler's rise to power. Schiff was a
German journalist and socialist who worked as the Paris correspondent for the American ‘Daily Herald’
newspaper in the 1930s.
1. How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Hitler’s appeal to the people of
Germany? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
Interpretation A suggests that…
However, Interpretation B suggests that…
2. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about Hitler’s
appeal to the people of Germany? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual
knowledge.
Interpretation A was written by...
This would mean that…
Interpretation B was written by…
This would mean that…
,3. Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about Hitler’s appeal to the people of
Germany? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A
and B.
In one way, Interpretation A is convincing because…
However, Interpretation B is convincing because….
In conclusion, I think that Interpretation A/B is most convincing because…
, Interpretation A
At the time, it was smashing. When we went on our marches the police stopped the traffic and
passers-by had to give the Nazi salute. We were poor and suddenly had fine uniforms. I’d never been
on holiday; now they were taking us to camp by lakes and mountains. I am ashamed to say now that, to
us, Hitler was the greatest human being in the world. At rallies we couldn’t hear what he was saying –
but we all screamed anyway. When war came I was so excited. I thought, ‘Now, I can show the Fuhrer
what I’m made of’.
Henrik Metelmann in his book called ‘Through Hell for Hitler’, published in 1970. Metelmann was a
member of the Hitler Youth in the 1930s and he is referring to his experiences in this extract.
Interpretation B
We could not believe it. I remember that the leaders had told Hans that his songs were not allowed.
Why should he be forbidden to sing those songs just because they had been created by other races?
Then came the racial legislation and our Jewish classmates had to leave school. We were living in a
society then, where hate and lies had become normal. No one was safe from arrest for the slightest
unguarded remark, and some disappeared forever for no good reason. Unseen ears seemed to be
listening to everything that was spoken in Germany.
Inge Scholl in her book called ‘Students Against Tyranny’ published in 1952. Inge Scholl’s brother
Hans and her sister Sophie were members of the White Rose group. They were arrested and executed
by the Nazi police state in 1943. Inge is referring to what happened when Hans returned from a
Hitler Youth rally in the 1930s.
1. How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about life for young people in Nazi Germany?
Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
Interpretation A suggests that…
However, Interpretation B suggests that…
2. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about life for
young people in Nazi Germany? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual
knowledge.
Interpretation A was written by...
This would mean that…
Interpretation B was written by…
This would mean that…
Germany 1890-1945 Democracy and Dictatorship Exam Questions
1. Interpretation “spot the differences” question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. How does Interpretation A differ from Interpretation B about…
Hint: Think about what the interpretations suggest or say about the topic. Read
the interpretations carefully!
2. Interpretation “explain the differences” question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different
interpretation about…
Hint: Use the authors’ backgrounds, experiences, dates of writing, purpose of
writing to explain why they give different interpretations.
3. Convincing interpretation question (8 marks = 10 minutes)
e.g. Which interpretation do you find more convincing about…
Hint: Use your own knowledge to support the ideas in both interpretations and
then reach a conclusion.
4. Describe two question (4 marks = 5 minutes)
e.g. Describe two…
Hint: Identify a relevant issue and then extend it with subject knowledge.
5. Change question (8 marks = 10 minutes)
e.g. In what ways were…
Hint: Give multiple examples of changes and use specific subject knowledge.
6. “Bullet point essay” (12 marks = 15 minutes)
e.g. Which of the following…
Explain your answer with reference to both…
Hint: Have a separate paragraph for each bullet point and then reach a conclusion.
, Interpretation A
Everything about him was reasonable and ordinary looking; he was no shrieking fanatic in a uniform. He
spoke passionately; it was hypnotic and persuasive. We were carried on a wave of enthusiasm. It swept
away our doubts. Here, it seemed was hope, new ideals, a new understanding. The peril of communism
could be stopped.
Albert Speer, writing in his book, ‘Inside the Third Reich’ written in 1960. He remembers hearing
Adolf Hitler speak in January 1931 at Berlin University. Albert Speer went on to become the Nazi
Minister for weapons. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison after the war and released in 1966.
Interpretation B
If there is one point on which we all agree, it must be surely that Hitler owes his rise and ultimate
victory to the World Economic Crisis. Hitler appealed to the despair of the unemployed workers; the
young people who had no future; to the middle class businessman and craftsman heading for
bankruptcy and to the farmers threatened with a fall in agricultural prices.
Victor Schiff, in an article written in 1950 where he explains Hitler's rise to power. Schiff was a
German journalist and socialist who worked as the Paris correspondent for the American ‘Daily Herald’
newspaper in the 1930s.
1. How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Hitler’s appeal to the people of
Germany? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
Interpretation A suggests that…
However, Interpretation B suggests that…
2. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about Hitler’s
appeal to the people of Germany? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual
knowledge.
Interpretation A was written by...
This would mean that…
Interpretation B was written by…
This would mean that…
,3. Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about Hitler’s appeal to the people of
Germany? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A
and B.
In one way, Interpretation A is convincing because…
However, Interpretation B is convincing because….
In conclusion, I think that Interpretation A/B is most convincing because…
, Interpretation A
At the time, it was smashing. When we went on our marches the police stopped the traffic and
passers-by had to give the Nazi salute. We were poor and suddenly had fine uniforms. I’d never been
on holiday; now they were taking us to camp by lakes and mountains. I am ashamed to say now that, to
us, Hitler was the greatest human being in the world. At rallies we couldn’t hear what he was saying –
but we all screamed anyway. When war came I was so excited. I thought, ‘Now, I can show the Fuhrer
what I’m made of’.
Henrik Metelmann in his book called ‘Through Hell for Hitler’, published in 1970. Metelmann was a
member of the Hitler Youth in the 1930s and he is referring to his experiences in this extract.
Interpretation B
We could not believe it. I remember that the leaders had told Hans that his songs were not allowed.
Why should he be forbidden to sing those songs just because they had been created by other races?
Then came the racial legislation and our Jewish classmates had to leave school. We were living in a
society then, where hate and lies had become normal. No one was safe from arrest for the slightest
unguarded remark, and some disappeared forever for no good reason. Unseen ears seemed to be
listening to everything that was spoken in Germany.
Inge Scholl in her book called ‘Students Against Tyranny’ published in 1952. Inge Scholl’s brother
Hans and her sister Sophie were members of the White Rose group. They were arrested and executed
by the Nazi police state in 1943. Inge is referring to what happened when Hans returned from a
Hitler Youth rally in the 1930s.
1. How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about life for young people in Nazi Germany?
Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
Interpretation A suggests that…
However, Interpretation B suggests that…
2. Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation about life for
young people in Nazi Germany? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual
knowledge.
Interpretation A was written by...
This would mean that…
Interpretation B was written by…
This would mean that…
