A-level HISTORY Component 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991

A-level HISTORY Component 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991 Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes Materials For this paper you must have: • an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen. • Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7042/1L. • Answer three questions. In Section A answer Question 01. In Section B answer two questions. Information • The marks for questions are shown in brackets. • The maximum mark for this paper is 80. • You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice • You are advised to spend about: – 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A – 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B. 2 IB/M/Jun21/7042/1L Section A Answer Question 01. Extract A Wilhelm II was an inconsistent, nervous person, incapable of personal rule. He was unable to work hard, listen to others, or think problems through systematically. Over time, many of those who saw him in action, or heard the monarch make silly remarks during their daily contact with him, began to pose ever more seriously the question of whether he was perhaps unbalanced. Those who came to believe this considered it their duty to support the Kaiser emotionally and politically. His chancellors, and his inner circle of friends and advisers, began to ‘handle’ the monarch, not only because they felt a deep personal loyalty toward him, but also because they held the firm conviction that the monarchy was the best possible system of government imaginable. Thus, they tried to prevent him from committing blunders. They shielded him from uncomfortable situations and public criticism, constantly fearing that he might have a nervous breakdown. Adapted from VR Berghahn, Imperial Germany 1871–1918, 1994