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Comparing interpretations of the Nazis' rise to power
How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the Nazis' rise to power? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
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Marking points
- 1 Identifies a valid difference between the two interpretations' content about why the Nazis rose to power.
- 2 Uses what Interpretation A says, not provenance, to support the comparison.
- 3 Uses what Interpretation B says, not provenance, to support the comparison.
- 4 Develops the comparison by explaining how the two stated reasons differ.
Full-mark answer
Interpretation B differs from Interpretation A because B argues that the Nazis rose to power mainly because democratic and traditional parties failed. It says parties such as the Social Democrats did not work together effectively against the Nazis or Communists and that few Germans supported the Weimar Republic. Interpretation A, by contrast, focuses on Hitler's appeal to ordinary Germans: his promises of prosperity, patriotic language and use of fear against Jews won support. So B stresses political weakness and failure, while A stresses Hitler's promises and methods of attracting support.
Why this answer loses marks
Interpretation A is by Hunt and Interpretation B is by Herwarth, so they differ.
This answers using provenance rather than the content difference. The examiner report notes that some Question 1 answers failed because they discussed provenance or copied the interpretations instead of explaining differences in what they said.