Year 12 Modern - Recent Exam Questions

Hi folks. I thought I would post the Germany and Conflict in Europe essay questions that have been in the past three years' HSC exams. The new syllabus has only been examined since 2006, so these are the best questions to give you an idea of what they will ask you.

Read them, have a go at answering them, and focus on the wording of the questions, and the dot points that they cover.

Germany:

2008: (a) Account for the successes and failures of democracy in Germany in the period 1918– 1933. OR (b) To what extent can Nazism in power be seen as totalitarianism in the period 1933– 1939?

2007: (a) Explain how and why German social and cultural life changed in the period 1923-1939. OR (b) Assess the impact of Nazism on German foreign policy in the period 1933-1939.

2006: (a) Assess the importance of nationalism as a cause of the failure of democracy in Germany in the period 1918–1934. OR (b) To what extent was Hitler responsible for the development and implementation of Nazi racist policies in Germany in the period to 1939?

Conflict in Europe (only tested since 2006)

2008: (a) Evaluate the view that the air war determined the outcome of the European War. OR (b) Assess the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact to the outbreak of war in 1939.

2007: (a) Evaluate the view that Operation Barbarossa was the major turning point of the European war. OR (b) To what extent did Allied and Axis strategies during World War II affect civilians?

2006: (a) Evaluate the view that the dictators Hitler and Mussolini were primarily responsible for the tensions that led to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939. OR (b) To what extent was the Soviet Union (Russia) responsible for the Allied victory in the conflict in Europe?

Year 12 Modern - Trial Exam Advice

Well, the Trial HSC will be this Friday. A bit of last-minute advice for all you Modern students...

For WW1, focus on perspective, reliability and usefulness of sources. Be prepared to write extended responses on the larger topics: for example, the nature of warfare on the Western Front, the reasons for the stalemate, the changing attitudes of soldiers and civilians, the effects of 'total war' on civilians, the turning points of the conflict, and the aims of the Big Three at Versailles.

For Germany, remember you will have a choice of two essays. Usually, one will focus on Weimar, the other on Nazi Germany. Be sure that you know all about the problems faced by the Weimar Republic, how the Nazis achieved power, and the nature of Nazi society from 1933-1939, as well as Nazi foreign and religious policy.

For Speer, have a working knowledge of his career (maybe memorise ten important landmarks in his life). Make a list of all of his achievements and failures. Formulate an opinion on his significance as a historical personality. Be able to argue whether he was a successful person, or an unsuccessful person, and back it with evidence. Have an opinion on the guy!

For Conflict in Europe, know the steps leading to war (LA-SCRAMCUP, dictatorships, failure of the League of Nations), and the chronology of the war from 1939 to 1943. Have a detailed knowledge of the early successes of Germany (Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Yugoslavia, Greece) as well as the failed Barbarossa campaign up to and including the Battle of Stalingrad. Revise the Battle of Britain, the Battle of El Alamein, and the effects of the war on civilians in Britain and Germany. Make sure you know about Nazi racial policies in Europe.

Have a go at some practice exams on the BOS website. Try this link for last year's paper.

Most of all - good luck! Email me if you have any problems on thomas.griffith@det.nsw.edu.au

Year 12 Modern - Civilian Statistics

Hi Year 12. Here is a rather badly copied-and-pasted screenshot of the notes from yesterday's lesson. It gives a list of civilian-related statistics from WW2, for both Britain and Germany. You should be able to click on the image and see it in a higher resolution.

Year 12 Modern - Civilians in WW2

Hi folks. the trial is rapidly descending upon us, and so we move on to our last topic that could be in the exam: civilians in WW2. We will be looking at the social and economic effects of the conflict on civilians in BRITAIN and GERMANY, as well as the HOLOCAUST and NAZI RACIAL POLICIES.

For a good summary of the Home Front in Britain, check out this BBC History page - WW2 People's War. It covers topics such as the Blitz, rationing, and internment of enemy aliens, with a focus on the stories of survivors.

You could also try this other BBC page, with a more political focus.

Also useful is this government site with a focus on school activities, based on the collection of the British National Archives.

For Germany, you could try watching the World at War episode 'Inside the Reich', on youtube. here is the first instalment:

Year 12 Modern - Online Games on Germany

Here are a few fun little flash games that you can play in about 5 minutes...all of the questions are on Germany 1918-1939, and with the 'Walk the Plank' games, you even get to make an avatar of your teacher (that would be me), and make me 'walk the plank' if you get 10/10 questions right.

Hitler's Rise to Power

Democracy to Dictatorship

Germany 1918-1939

Year 12 Modern - Terror and Control

Once again, schoolhistory.co.uk has some useful resources on Nazi Germany. This is a simple, easy-to-follow PowerPoint by Mr. Huggins, on how the Nazis used terror to control the German population.

Year 12 Ancient/Modern - Latest Polls Closed

It's that time of the week again: the verdicts are in for the latest history polls...

75% of you agreed that Nazi Germany was indeed, a totalitarian dictatorship; and

70% of you thought that Spartan pottery was their finest type of art.

New polls as soon as I can think of a subject...

Year 12 Modern - Propaganda and Terror

Hi Nazi Germany experts...here is the PowerPoint on propaganda and terror in Hitler's Germany. Enjoy!


Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tomgriffith

Download the presentation here.

Year 12 Ancient/Modern - Latest Polls Closed

When did Germany take the fateful step to being a dictatorship? A huge percentage - 85% - said it was when the Enabling Act of March 1933 was passed...which is when Hitler had the power to make any law he wanted, so I think you were pretty spot on there.

For Sparta - 44% of you said the perioeci were most integral to the economy, and 33% went for the helots. Again, pretty much as expected, as these groups certainly did underpin the crafts/agriculture side of the economy, while the Spartiates were off training or waging war.

New polls up very soon!

Year 12 Modern - Triumph of the Will

Triumph of the Will was the documentary/propaganda film made by Leni Riefenstahl, as a record and celebration of the Nazi Party Conference held in Nuremburg in September 1934.

As a record of a truly historical event, it is quite amazing. When you recall that the Nazis had only been in power for just over 18 months, the scale of the celebrations and the rallies are quite stupendous.

One viewing of this film will stand you in good stead when it comes to discussing how the Nazis used propaganda and symbolism, and how Hitler could manipulate the masses.

Year 12 Modern - Sinking of the Lusitania

Source: www.flatrock.org.nz

Today marks 94 years since one of the major events of World War One: the sinking of the passenger liner Lusitania. The torpedoing of this civilian ship by a German U-boat very nearly dragged the USA into the war, and forced the Kaiser to call off his policy of unlimited submarine warfare. Click here to read an article (on the very informative site firstworldwar.com) all about this event.

Year 12 Modern - From Democracy to Dictatorship

Hitler was a very canny operator. He became Chancellor in January 1933, supposedly the puppet of Hindenburg and von Papen...but by April, he was able to pass any law he liked, and by mid-1934, he was the total ruler of Nazi Germany. How did this transformation occur?

Here is today's presentation, listing the 8 steps (Rigged German Election Leads To Psychopath Nazi Fuhrer):


Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tomgriffith

And here is the Youtube video, posted by mrjportman, on the 4 steps that took Hitler from Chancellor to dictator:

Year 12 Modern - Favourite Nazis...

OK, not many people voted - it was the holidays - but it seems that 2/3 of you are looking forward to studying Albert Speer...which is very fortuitous, as he happens to be our chosen Nazi personality for 2009. I bet you can't wait!

See you tomorrow, ready to learn lots about Germany in the 1930s.

Year 12 Ancient/Modern - Welcome Back!

Hi Ancient and Modern students. I hope it has been a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break for all of you. Now, back to work!

Term 2 will be a pretty tough one for all of you - there is a lot of content to cover, plus some assessment towards the end of term. Just to give you an idea, here is what we will be working on from Week 1:

MODERN: We will go straight into how Hitler turned Germany into a dictatorship in 1933-34. From there we will study some of the major policies of the Nazi Party, the nature of German society in the 1930s, and the forms of repression used by the Nazis. We will finish by examining the lead-up to World War Two.

These are the syllabus dot points we will cover:

– initial consolidation of Nazi power 1933–1934
– Hitler’s role in the Nazi state
– Nazism as totalitarianism
– the role of propaganda, terror and repression; SA and SS; opposition to Nazism
– social and cultural life in the Nazi state: role of Hitler Youth, women, religion
– Nazi racial policy; anti-Semitism: policy and practice to 1939
– nature of Nazi foreign policy: aims and strategies to September 1939
– impact of ideology on Nazi foreign policy to September 1939

This will take us into our conflict study for this year, the War in Western Europe. This overlaps with the Nazi Germany topic a bit, and covers the years 1935 until 1945. As well as the reasons for war, and the actual battles that were fought, we will be looking at the Holocaust, and the Nuremburg War Crimes trials.

This website is designed for school students, and has some excellent summaries of the major themes and concepts.


ANCIENT: We will spend the first few weeks of term finishing off Sparta - particularly focusing on everyday life, culture (art/literature/architecture), and the economy.

These are the syllabus dot points we shall cover (although some we have already looked at):

– land ownership: agriculture, kleroi, helots
– technology: weapons, armour, pottery
– economic roles of the periokoi (‘dwellers around’) and helots
– economic exchange: use of iron bars, trade
– art: sculpture, painted vases, bone and ivory carving
– architecture: Amyklaion, Menelaion, the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia
– writing and literature: Alcman and Tyrtaeus – Greek writers’ views of Sparta
– daily life and leisure activities – food and clothing – marriage customs
– occupations

This will lead us into our Period Study - the Greek World 500-440BC. This huge topic covers the Greco-Persian Wars (you know, Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis), as well as the lead-up to the Peloponnesian Wars, and the growth of Athenian democracy.

This website will introduce you to some of the most important people, places and themes associated with Ancient Greece during this time period.

Good luck in Term 2!

Year 12 Modern - Latest Poll Closed

What was it that enabled the Nazis to come to power in 1933? Well, according to those of you who voted, 50% put it down to the Great Depression, while 37% attributed it to Hitler's own personality and charisma. It was actually a complex interplay of factors that catapulted Hitler into the chancellorship, but certainly, without the Depression, he would never have made it.

New poll up soon.

Year 12 Modern - Happy Holidays!

Hi guys. Hope you are having a great holiday. I know you are probably spending this first week just relaxing and forgetting about the half-yearlies, but if you do feel the urge to do some revision/preparation next week, before coming back to school, then here you go:

This is a powerpoint designed by Mr Moorhouse, on Hitler's rise to power.

This is another powerpoint by a Mr Ellis, which charts how Hitler turned Germany into a Nazi dictatorship.

And here is a summary of how Hitler cemented his dictatorship from 1933 to 1934.

Year 12 Modern - Half-Yearly Advice

That time is upon upon us, Modern Historians...the half-yearlies start on Monday. I'm sure you will be spending the weekend preparing for your English exam, but History follows hot on its heels, so you should fit in some revision before doing some last-minute cramming on Monday night...

The exam will be in two sections:

1) World War One - a series of source-based sections, ranging from simple 1/2 mark questions where you select info from a source, to long, 8/10 mark questions which ask you to 'use the sources and your own knowledge' to discuss a feature of the War.

2) Weimar Germany 1918-1933 - a choice of two essays, both dealing with some aspect or aspects of Germany from the birth of Weimar (Nov 1918) to the beginning of Hitler's chancellorship (Jan 1933).

First, some tips based on what I saw from the last assessment:

1) Write more than one page for an essay! Leave plenty of time and try to squeeze out two pages. You are a lot more likely to get a pass mark.

2) ALWAYS mention ALL sources. they are presented to you for a reason - to assess your source analysis skills. Name the source, then briefly mention its PERSPECTIVE, how RELIABLE it is, and whether it is USEFUL.

3) When a question says 'use your own knowledge'...then do it! And plenty of it, too.

4) If in doubt about dates, or figures, then make them a bit more general. If you are not sure whether something happened in 1924, or 19925, then say, 'in the mid 1920s...'

5) If a question asks you to discuss two or more things, then discuss all of them, e.g. 'Describe the main social, political and economic issues...' means discuss all three of them, not just one. Be as obvious as starting each paragraph with something like, 'Germany faced many serious economic issues in the 1920s. The major one was hyperinflation...' etc.

6) Revise by writing a practice essay. The best way to do this is to compose a very general question which covers most of the topic, and then sit down and write it for 30 minutes, without consulting your notes. Afterwards, read through it, and then go to your notes to add or change any details. This way, you will have enough general info in your head to tackle any essay we throw at you - all you need to do is save some more facts in your head to modify your essay so that it fits the question in the exam.

A good general essay on Weimar might be something like:
"Describe the main issues faced by Weimar Germany from 1918 to 1933"
or "Evaluate how successful the Weimar Republic was as a democracy" (this one is harder)
Both essays cover the whole period and you could talk about anything.

A good general essay on WW1 could be:
"Describe the main features of the war on the Western Front"
or "Explain how Germany and Britain responded to the war on the Home Front"

Now, some links to help you:

This essay by Paul Kiem summarises the main events in Weimar until 1929. there are some activities that follow it.

This document by Stephen Tonge describes the period in more detail, and goes right up to 1933.

Finally, some practice essay questions. You can try these and email me them for comments/feedback.

From last year's HSC exam:

Assess the impact of tactics using new weapons in attempts to break the stalemate on the Western Front. (10 marks)

Account for the successes and failures of democracy in Germany in the period 1918– 1933. (25 marks)

From 2007's HSC exam:

To what extent was the failure of Ludendorff’s Offensive responsible for Allied victory and the German collapse? (10 marks)

From 2006's HSC exam:

Assess the importance of nationalism as a cause of the failure of democracy in Germany in the period 1918–1934. (25 marks)

Year 12 Modern - Assessment Week 8

Modern Historians, your first assessment will be this Thursday, so we will be doing a spot of revision in class tomorrow. However, for your home study, here are some resources you could use:

Try your hand at some past HSC papers. The World War One sections are always at the beginning.

2007 paper 2007 source booklet
2006 paper

And finally, the relevant syllabus dot points. You may be tested on any or all of the points below.

World War One

1 War on the Western Front

– the reasons for the stalemate on the Western Front

– the nature of trench warfare and life in the trenches dealing with experiences of Allied and German soldiers

– overview of strategies and tactics to break the stalemate including key battles: Verdun, the Somme, Passchendaele

– changing attitudes of Allied and German soldiers to the war over time

2 The home fronts in Britain and Germany

– total war and its social and economic impact on civilians in Britain and Germany

– recruitment, conscription, censorship and propaganda in Britain and Germany

– the variety of attitudes to the war and how they changed over time in Britain and Germany

– the impact of the war on women’s lives and experiences in Britain

3 Turning points

– impacts of the entry of the USA and of the Russian withdrawal

– Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive and the Allied response

4 Allied Victory

– events leading to the Armistice, 1918

– reasons for the Allied victory and German collapse

– the roles and differing goals of Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Wilson in creating the Treaty of Versailles

National Study: Germany

1 Weimar Republic

– emergence of the Democratic Republic and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles

– political, economic and social issues in the Weimar Republic to 1929

Year 12 Modern - Weimar Germany 1924-29

Hi Modern students...here is the powerpoint we did this week on Germany 1924-29:


Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tomgriffith

You can download the powerpoint here.

I will post some assessment stuff up in the next few days, ready for next Thursday's exam.

Year 12 Modern - Gustav Stresemann

Gustav Stresemann was considered perhaps the foremost politician of Weimar Germany. In fact, the years 1924-1929 are known as the 'Stresemann Era'. Many historians consider him the major force behind restoring democratic Germany after the chaotic early years of Weimar.

Stresemann won the Nobel peace Prize in 1926, for signing the Locarno Treaty, which guaranteed the borders of France, Belgium, and Germany.

Below is his biography, as listed on the Nobel Prize website:

Gustav Stresemann (May 10, 1878-October 3, 1929) was the son of a prosperous owner of a restaurant and tavern. In his early years he helped in the family business and, since he was a lonely boy, assiduously pursued his studies. After attending the Andreas Real Gymnasium in Berlin, Stresemann studied literature, philosophy, and political economy at Berlin and Leipzig. During these student days, he discovered that he had powers of leadership as well as a capacity for literary attainment. He wrote critical essays on the Utopia of Thomas More and the lyrics of D.F. Strauss, historical pieces on Bismarck (and later, on Napoleon), and acted as spokesman for his student association. His dissertation for his doctorate, an economic investigation of the bottled beer trade in Berlin, was both practical and theoretical, assessing the pressures of big business capitalism on the independent middle class of Berlin. [Full biography here...]

Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 1926