0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
Cambridge IGCSE™
HISTORY 0470/23
Paper 2 Document Questions May/June 2025
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
* 7 6 8 4 3 1 1 7 9 8 *
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question on one option only.
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
Option B: Twentieth century topic
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 343099/2
© UCLES 2025 [Turn over
0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
, 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
2
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
1 Why did the Frankfurt Parliament fail?
Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all parts of
Question 1.
Background Information
The Frankfurt Parliament, which first met in May 1848, was the result of the revolutions
across Germany. In May 1849, it was driven out of Frankfurt to Stuttgart, and in June it was
forcibly dispersed by soldiers. To explain its eventual failure, some historians have pointed to
developments outside the Parliament such as the recovery of the German princes and the lack
of interest in the Parliament by the German people. Other historians have focused on problems
within the Parliament itself.
Did the Frankfurt Parliament fail because of factors internal to the Parliament itself?
SOURCE A
The members of the Frankfurt Parliament were freely elected from the 39 German states and
were elected by 75 per cent of the adult male population. It was an achievement to have got the
Parliament elected and ready to work in just over a month. The members worked well together,
united by a sense of mission. The Parliament made some important decisions. In December 1848 it
introduced fundamental rights, which were later an important influence on the Weimar Constitution.
These rights included equality before the law and freedom of the press. The Parliament’s position
became less secure in early 1849 when the Princes recovered their authority, but as late as March
1849 the Parliament was united enough to agree the Imperial Constitution, which was intended
to establish a unified German state. However, the rejection of the Imperial Crown by Frederick
William IV of Prussia in April 1849 was a fatal blow and persuaded many members to leave
Frankfurt. Across Germany, the counter-revolutionary forces were recovering. The Parliament did
not have its own army and it was forced to move to Stuttgart, where it was dispersed by force in
June 1849. Despite this, it had important achievements.
From a recent history book.
SOURCE B
The Frankfurt Parliament was not very representative of the people as a whole. The vast majority
of members were middle-class: lawyers, professors and government officials. There were few
artisans and almost no peasants, despite these groups playing a key part in the revolution. In
December 1848 it issued the Fifty Articles, promising legal equality and greater press freedom. In
March 1849 Frederick William rejected the offer of the crown of Germany. This, and the rejection of
the proposed German constitution by some German states, contributed to its weakness. Although
the Princes gradually recovered their power and authority, the Parliament was mainly responsible
for its own downfall. Its members were politically inexperienced and too academic. There were
disagreements between the liberals, nationalists and radicals. This meant it acted slowly – it took
almost a year to draft a constitution. It also lacked power. It could not raise taxes and did not have
its own army. The Frankfurt Parliament was a missed opportunity.
From a recent study of the Frankfurt Parliament.
© UCLES 2025 0470/23/M/J/25
0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
Cambridge IGCSE™
HISTORY 0470/23
Paper 2 Document Questions May/June 2025
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
* 7 6 8 4 3 1 1 7 9 8 *
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question on one option only.
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
Option B: Twentieth century topic
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 343099/2
© UCLES 2025 [Turn over
0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
, 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
2
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
1 Why did the Frankfurt Parliament fail?
Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all parts of
Question 1.
Background Information
The Frankfurt Parliament, which first met in May 1848, was the result of the revolutions
across Germany. In May 1849, it was driven out of Frankfurt to Stuttgart, and in June it was
forcibly dispersed by soldiers. To explain its eventual failure, some historians have pointed to
developments outside the Parliament such as the recovery of the German princes and the lack
of interest in the Parliament by the German people. Other historians have focused on problems
within the Parliament itself.
Did the Frankfurt Parliament fail because of factors internal to the Parliament itself?
SOURCE A
The members of the Frankfurt Parliament were freely elected from the 39 German states and
were elected by 75 per cent of the adult male population. It was an achievement to have got the
Parliament elected and ready to work in just over a month. The members worked well together,
united by a sense of mission. The Parliament made some important decisions. In December 1848 it
introduced fundamental rights, which were later an important influence on the Weimar Constitution.
These rights included equality before the law and freedom of the press. The Parliament’s position
became less secure in early 1849 when the Princes recovered their authority, but as late as March
1849 the Parliament was united enough to agree the Imperial Constitution, which was intended
to establish a unified German state. However, the rejection of the Imperial Crown by Frederick
William IV of Prussia in April 1849 was a fatal blow and persuaded many members to leave
Frankfurt. Across Germany, the counter-revolutionary forces were recovering. The Parliament did
not have its own army and it was forced to move to Stuttgart, where it was dispersed by force in
June 1849. Despite this, it had important achievements.
From a recent history book.
SOURCE B
The Frankfurt Parliament was not very representative of the people as a whole. The vast majority
of members were middle-class: lawyers, professors and government officials. There were few
artisans and almost no peasants, despite these groups playing a key part in the revolution. In
December 1848 it issued the Fifty Articles, promising legal equality and greater press freedom. In
March 1849 Frederick William rejected the offer of the crown of Germany. This, and the rejection of
the proposed German constitution by some German states, contributed to its weakness. Although
the Princes gradually recovered their power and authority, the Parliament was mainly responsible
for its own downfall. Its members were politically inexperienced and too academic. There were
disagreements between the liberals, nationalists and radicals. This meant it acted slowly – it took
almost a year to draft a constitution. It also lacked power. It could not raise taxes and did not have
its own army. The Frankfurt Parliament was a missed opportunity.
From a recent study of the Frankfurt Parliament.
© UCLES 2025 0470/23/M/J/25
0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf 0470_s25_qp_23.pdf
