1. Paper 2- A2 - Origins and Course of WW1

2. Question (a) Inference Question Asks you to give THREE statements that can be inferred from a source. Worth 3 marks so spend about 5 minutes on it.
What is an inference?
You work something out from a source that the source doesn't actually tell you.
DO NOT just write down what you can see in the source.
You need to make inferences from the sources based on the information shown in that source. DO NOT include your own background knowledge.
Begin each answer with the phrase ‘We can learn form this source that..’

3. Source: Right Wing political cartoon from German newspaper 1924
What can we infer from this cartoon about German sentiment towards politicians who signed the armistice ?
Let’s practise one
We can infer from this source that German military were betrayed by their politicians and that they were not expecting it. We can see this from the way in which the soldiers are facing away from the politicians who are stabbing them in the back, which is a classic representation of betrayal.
Source: Right Wing political cartoon from German newspaper 1924

4. B5 (a) Target: Source comprehension, inference and inference support (AO2) (3)
Descriptor Mark
One inference 1 mark
Two inferences 2 marks
Three inferences 3 marks
e.g. We can infer from this source that German military were betrayed by their politicians and that they were not expecting it. We can see this from the way in which the soldiers are facing away from the politicians who are stabbing them in the back, which is a classic representation of betrayal. 3 Marks

5. Question B- Cross referencing question
Looking at TWO sources and working out what parts of each source is saying the SAME thing and which part of the source is saying something CONTRADICTORY and which parts don't match up at all. DEVELOP statements by explaining them and using an EXAMPLE from the source to support your claim.
Highlight areas of support (SAME) in each source. Explain these similarities.
In a different colour, highlight any areas of challenge (CONTRADICTIONS) in what the sources say. Explain the differences.
MUST make a EVALUATION statement regarding OVERALL EXTENT to which sources are similar/supporting each other or contradictory.

7. Question C- asks you to reference (use) sources and your own knowledge to evaluate a representation/statement.
You will be asked if you agree with the statement and you need to use the SOURCES AND OWN KNOWLEDGE to offer a sustained argument which offers a balanced judgement.
15 MARKS - so expect to spend 25 minutes on this section.
It is a mini essay.
You must make a JUDGEMENT to what extent you agree or disagree with initial statement and this must be supported by the EVIDENCE you presented.

8. How to plan your answer
Decide which sources can be used to support the statement. To achieve top mark band MUST use 3 or more of the sources overall.
Decide which sources can be used to challenge (CONTRADICT) the view. (Some might give both points of view)
Use ALL sources to stimulate your own knowledge.
Ensure you write a balanced answer that uses one or more sources (plus your own knowledge) to support the statement AND one or more sources (plus your own knowledge) to challenge the statement.
Write a CONCLUSION in which you make a final judgement on the statement given in the question.

9. Structure
Introductory paragraph “ Whilst the action of the French at the battle of the Marne was one of the reasons for the failure of the Schleiffen Plan it was not the only reason. Other events played an important part in the ultimate failure and these included the initial unexpected resistance by Belgium, the Battle of Mons and the reallocation of German troops to the Eastern front before the ultimate goal of Paris had been reached by the German forces. “ Paragraph 2 reference source A cartoon of Belgium defending thoroughfare slowing German advance also giving time for BEF to get to the front. Paragraph 3 reference Source B and C regarding Battle of Mons highlighting similarities and differences and how this battle also forced German forces to deviate from initial plans. Paragraph 4 referencing Source D about Battle of Marne use source and own knowledge to indicate how this battle ultimately halted German advance to Paris. Concluding statement “ Thus arguments provided above do lead to the conclusion that the Battle of Marne whilst ultimately halting the German advance was not the only factor that derailed the Schlieffen plan, Belgium’s resistance and the Battle of Mons both factored in significantly adding to the failure of the plan.”

10. ‘The main cause of the outbreak of war between Austria-hungary and Serbia was the assassination of franz Ferdinand’
Introductory paragraph “ Whilst the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the spark that ignited war between Austria – Hungary and Serbia in 1914, it is clear from both the sources and my own knowledge that other long term events had created a situation where both sides were waiting for an excuse to start a conflict. These events were… Paragraph 2 – POINT? [AGREE WITH STATEMENT] EXAMPLE [SOURCE / O.K] ANALYSE [HOW DOES THIS ANSWER THE Q?] LINK [TO NEXT POINT] Paragraph 3 – POINT? [FIRST REASON TO DISAGREE] Paragraph 4 – POINT? [SECOND REASON TO DISAGREE] Concluding statement: Should match the introduction and directly answer the question – i.e. by how much do you agree with the statement