Sample question - breakdown of international order
(a) Describe what happened in Guernica in April 1937. (4)
- e.g. ‘Guernica was bombed.’
- ‘Germany used the Luftwaffe/Condor Legion.’
- ‘Over 1500 civilians were killed.’
- ‘The Germans were attacking to support the efforts of Franco.’
- ‘The Germans used blitzkrieg tactics.’
- ‘The town was devastated with waves of bombing.’
- ‘Planes bombed and strafed targets in Guernica.’
- ‘The Germans used thermite as an incendiary to create a firestorm in the centre of the town.’ ‘The attack took place in daylight.’
- ‘The attack was a test for the German air force.’
(b) Why did Hitler want to remilitarise the Rhineland? (6)
e.g. ‘One key reason for the remilitarising of the Rhineland was Military. Hitler’s foreign policy aims was to pursue an aggressive policy in the east, taking over Poland and the west of the USSR. Germany was vulnerable from the west and so to achieve his aims meant he had to make the Rhineland secure.’ (One exp)
The following, if combined & explained can be other acceptable reasons answers
e.g. ‘One key reason for the remilitarising of the Rhineland was Military. Hitler’s foreign policy aims was to pursue an aggressive policy in the east, taking over Poland and the west of the USSR. Germany was vulnerable from the west and so to achieve his aims meant he had to make the Rhineland secure.’ (One exp)
The following, if combined & explained can be other acceptable reasons answers
- e.g. ‘To break the Treaty of Versailles.’
- ‘To strengthen Germany’s western frontier.’
- ‘To test the desire for war held by the British and the French.’
- ‘He knew many people in Britain thought it was ‘his own back yard’.’
- ‘It was part of his foreign policy.’
- ‘He wanted to test the League.’ / ‘To show that the League did not see his actions as important.’
- ‘He wanted to gain the support of the German public.’
(c) ‘The Nazi-Soviet Pact was more advantageous to Stalin than it was to Hitler.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
Stalin certainly benefited from the Nazi Soviet Pact in a number of ways. From a military perspective the USSR was not ready for a war. The USSR's 5 Year plans had not been concentrating on rearmament until the late 1930s and Stalin's purges had meant a lot of his former officers had been killed. Stalin knew Hitler was anti-communist and believed that the USSR would have to fight Germany in the future. So the The Pact gave him time to build up his military strength. He also gained strategically in that occupying part of Poland would also give Stalin a buffer zone between Germany and the USSR which would make it more difficult for Hitler to invade when he did (in 1941), plus he gained a sphere of influence over the Baltic states. Economically, there were also useful oil fields and he made trade deals with Germany. Ultimately, if he had made an alliance with Britain and France he would almost certainly have been dragged into a war over Poland at a time he did not want.
Whilst Stalin clearly benefitted, so too did Hitler. Like Stalin there were definite military and strategic benefits. Hitler had committed himself to an expansionist foreign policy and wanted lebensraum in the East. Although he had been appeased the British had promised to support Poland (after Munich) so he could not be certain a general war would break out, so he wanted to avoid a war on two fronts at all costs. By making a deal with Stalin he would avoid this as under the terms of the agreement the USSR would remain neutral. He basically prevented a general coalition being formed against him. So the signing the Pact also made Hitler more confident as he knew he would not have to worry about his Eastern borders. This was especially important as Hitler's army was not yet at full strength The plan proved very effective as when Germany invaded on 1st September using blitzkrieg (lightening war) it caught the West by surprise and the defeat of Poland was rapid. Hitler did not have to face any immediate response from the Allies.
Overall, they both benefited, but it was Hitler who wanted war so you could argue he gained most at the time as it allowed him to continue his foreign policy. Also, the communism world and the Allies were shocked that communism and fascism could do a deal, so this brought Stalin criticism and it later contributed to the suspicion and mistrust that helped start the Cold War. In the end however, it is arguable Stalin benefitted the most in the long term for when Germany finally invaded the USSR in 1941 they were able to defend themselves and Soviet resistance was vital in Germany's eventual defeat.
Stalin certainly benefited from the Nazi Soviet Pact in a number of ways. From a military perspective the USSR was not ready for a war. The USSR's 5 Year plans had not been concentrating on rearmament until the late 1930s and Stalin's purges had meant a lot of his former officers had been killed. Stalin knew Hitler was anti-communist and believed that the USSR would have to fight Germany in the future. So the The Pact gave him time to build up his military strength. He also gained strategically in that occupying part of Poland would also give Stalin a buffer zone between Germany and the USSR which would make it more difficult for Hitler to invade when he did (in 1941), plus he gained a sphere of influence over the Baltic states. Economically, there were also useful oil fields and he made trade deals with Germany. Ultimately, if he had made an alliance with Britain and France he would almost certainly have been dragged into a war over Poland at a time he did not want.
Whilst Stalin clearly benefitted, so too did Hitler. Like Stalin there were definite military and strategic benefits. Hitler had committed himself to an expansionist foreign policy and wanted lebensraum in the East. Although he had been appeased the British had promised to support Poland (after Munich) so he could not be certain a general war would break out, so he wanted to avoid a war on two fronts at all costs. By making a deal with Stalin he would avoid this as under the terms of the agreement the USSR would remain neutral. He basically prevented a general coalition being formed against him. So the signing the Pact also made Hitler more confident as he knew he would not have to worry about his Eastern borders. This was especially important as Hitler's army was not yet at full strength The plan proved very effective as when Germany invaded on 1st September using blitzkrieg (lightening war) it caught the West by surprise and the defeat of Poland was rapid. Hitler did not have to face any immediate response from the Allies.
Overall, they both benefited, but it was Hitler who wanted war so you could argue he gained most at the time as it allowed him to continue his foreign policy. Also, the communism world and the Allies were shocked that communism and fascism could do a deal, so this brought Stalin criticism and it later contributed to the suspicion and mistrust that helped start the Cold War. In the end however, it is arguable Stalin benefitted the most in the long term for when Germany finally invaded the USSR in 1941 they were able to defend themselves and Soviet resistance was vital in Germany's eventual defeat.