Over the last few years I have worked on creating a bank of possible essay questions to allow my students to practise and prepare for Part A style questions. My students have been using these to aid their revision in the run up to the exam. For each question they review the knowledge needed to answer each question by producing a mind map using their notes and the textbook/blog. They then produce a detailed plan in direct response to the question. Some students will then go on to write out the full essay; others have used it to practise writing an effective paragraph or a conclusion. Whatever approach you decide to take it is important that you practise incorporating both the knowledge and specific essay skills required for Part A.
Topic 1: Second Reich
‘The Kaiser’s power was absolute in the years between 1900 and 1914’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Weltpolitik was the principle factor which shaped German foreign policy in the years up to 1914’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Germany went to war in 1914 to settle domestic issues’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
To what extent was Germany a parliamentary democracy in the years 1900-1914? (June 2012)
‘The impact of the First World War merely heightened existing social and political tensions which had divided Germany before 1914.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? (Sample)
Topic 2: Weimar Republic
‘The Treaty of Versailles was very damaging for the Weimar Republic in the years up to 1924’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Revolution in Germany in 1918 was instigated ‘from above’ rather than ‘from below’. How far do you agree with this judgement?
‘The Weimar Constitution was the main reason for German instability in the year up to 1924’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
To what extent was the effective government of Germany in the years 1919-33 handicapped by the Weimar Constitution? (June 2011)
‘The period between 1924 and 1929 was one of economic, social and political stability.’ How far do you agree with this opinion?
Topic 3: The Rise of the Nazis
‘The formation of the SA was a crucial development in the history of the Nazi Party’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘The success of the Nazi Party between 1928 and 1932 was due to Hitler’s leadership’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘The transformation in the fortunes of the Nazi Party in the years 1930-1933 was largely because of Hitler’s remarkable talents as a politician’. How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2012)
‘Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 because he was leader of the most popular party in Germany.’ How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2010)
Topic 4: Life in Wartime Germany
‘Opposition was so limited in Germany during WW2 because of the use of terror’. How far do you agree with this view?
To what extent did the Nazi Regime face serious opposition within Germany during the years 1939-45? (June 2011)
‘The chaotic nature of the Nazi governmental structure explains the failures in German war production during the Second World War.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? (Sample)
‘The Final Solution evolved because of the chaotic nature of the Nazi Regime in the years 1939–42.’ How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2010)
Topic 1: Second Reich
‘The Kaiser’s power was absolute in the years between 1900 and 1914’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Weltpolitik was the principle factor which shaped German foreign policy in the years up to 1914’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Germany went to war in 1914 to settle domestic issues’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
To what extent was Germany a parliamentary democracy in the years 1900-1914? (June 2012)
‘The impact of the First World War merely heightened existing social and political tensions which had divided Germany before 1914.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? (Sample)
Topic 2: Weimar Republic
‘The Treaty of Versailles was very damaging for the Weimar Republic in the years up to 1924’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘Revolution in Germany in 1918 was instigated ‘from above’ rather than ‘from below’. How far do you agree with this judgement?
‘The Weimar Constitution was the main reason for German instability in the year up to 1924’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
To what extent was the effective government of Germany in the years 1919-33 handicapped by the Weimar Constitution? (June 2011)
‘The period between 1924 and 1929 was one of economic, social and political stability.’ How far do you agree with this opinion?
Topic 3: The Rise of the Nazis
‘The formation of the SA was a crucial development in the history of the Nazi Party’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘The success of the Nazi Party between 1928 and 1932 was due to Hitler’s leadership’. How far do you agree with this opinion?
‘The transformation in the fortunes of the Nazi Party in the years 1930-1933 was largely because of Hitler’s remarkable talents as a politician’. How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2012)
‘Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 because he was leader of the most popular party in Germany.’ How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2010)
Topic 4: Life in Wartime Germany
‘Opposition was so limited in Germany during WW2 because of the use of terror’. How far do you agree with this view?
To what extent did the Nazi Regime face serious opposition within Germany during the years 1939-45? (June 2011)
‘The chaotic nature of the Nazi governmental structure explains the failures in German war production during the Second World War.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? (Sample)
‘The Final Solution evolved because of the chaotic nature of the Nazi Regime in the years 1939–42.’ How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2010)
