ACTUAL 2025 AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY Component 1L The Quest for Political Stability:
Germany, 1871–1991 Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 23 May 2025
[VERIFIED]
IB/M/Jun25/G4007/V6 7042/1LR
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
Extract A not reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.
The extract is adapted from pages 131 – 133 of A History of Germany 1815–1985 by William Carr,
printed by Edward Arnold in 1987, ISBN 0713164956.
Adapted from W Carr, A History of Germany 1815–1985, 1987
Extract B
Extract B not reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.
The extract is adapted from pages 50, 53, 56 and 57 of Bismarck and Germany 1862–1890 by DG
Williamson, printed by Longman in 1986, ISBN 0582354137.
Adapted from DG Williamson, Bismarck and Germany 1862–1890, 1986
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1LR
, 3
Extract C
It is necessary to ask why the parties of the Reichstag did not realise that Bismarck was
dependent upon them, and why they did not use the tactic of stubborn resistance to
increase their influence in the state. The Reichstag’s rights to debate laws and to vote on
them were important powers. Furthermore, under the constitution, the Reichstag could
not be closed indefinitely and new elections had to follow promptly upon its dissolution. 5
However, there was limited use by the parties of the Reichstag’s constitutional powers
to obstruct legislation, and they were ineffective when they tried. This is to be
explained in large part by the nature of the parties’ membership and their attitude
towards the role of parliament in the state. Parties within the Reichstag never acquired
the self-confidence to challenge the government in matters of political importance. 10
Even though there was an increasing number of professional politicians, the parties only
tended to serve particular economic and sectional interests.
Adapted from GA Craig, Germany 1866–1945, 1981
0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the
arguments in these three extracts are in relation to German political parties in the
years 1871 to 1890.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1LR Turn over ►
Germany, 1871–1991 Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 23 May 2025
[VERIFIED]
IB/M/Jun25/G4007/V6 7042/1LR
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
Extract A not reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.
The extract is adapted from pages 131 – 133 of A History of Germany 1815–1985 by William Carr,
printed by Edward Arnold in 1987, ISBN 0713164956.
Adapted from W Carr, A History of Germany 1815–1985, 1987
Extract B
Extract B not reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.
The extract is adapted from pages 50, 53, 56 and 57 of Bismarck and Germany 1862–1890 by DG
Williamson, printed by Longman in 1986, ISBN 0582354137.
Adapted from DG Williamson, Bismarck and Germany 1862–1890, 1986
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1LR
, 3
Extract C
It is necessary to ask why the parties of the Reichstag did not realise that Bismarck was
dependent upon them, and why they did not use the tactic of stubborn resistance to
increase their influence in the state. The Reichstag’s rights to debate laws and to vote on
them were important powers. Furthermore, under the constitution, the Reichstag could
not be closed indefinitely and new elections had to follow promptly upon its dissolution. 5
However, there was limited use by the parties of the Reichstag’s constitutional powers
to obstruct legislation, and they were ineffective when they tried. This is to be
explained in large part by the nature of the parties’ membership and their attitude
towards the role of parliament in the state. Parties within the Reichstag never acquired
the self-confidence to challenge the government in matters of political importance. 10
Even though there was an increasing number of professional politicians, the parties only
tended to serve particular economic and sectional interests.
Adapted from GA Craig, Germany 1866–1945, 1981
0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the
arguments in these three extracts are in relation to German political parties in the
years 1871 to 1890.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1LR Turn over ►
