Examiner’s Specific Advice

This question requires an essay-type answer, so it is quite demanding. You must use both the sources and your own knowledge to get to a high level. In the process of displaying your knowledge and understanding of the topic, there is no obligation to use all three sources equally. However, you should refer to the sources, either with brief quotations or by summarising their arguments as appropriate. To earn the highest marks you must answer the specific question, with a judgement. ‘How important’ is the key phrase. It is not enough just to list types and examples of Nazi propaganda, although of course these are relevant. You must relate what you know about propaganda to the issue of support for the Nazi regime, and make a judgement on its impact. This is one possible approach.

There is another possible approach, which is to consider propaganda, but also consider other factors which may have contributed to securing support for the Nazis. If you do this, do not neglect the importance of propaganda – it should still be the main focus of the question, whatever your overall judgement on its importance. Whilst you can bring in other factors, for example genuine enthusiasm for Nazi policies, or the fear of the police state, it is certainly not an opportunity for you simply to write down all you know about the Nazi regime.

There is no right or wrong answer to the question. The key thing is that you back up your arguments with evidence. Whether you state your argument clearly at the start of your answer, or let the conclusion arrive naturally towards the end, having discussed all your evidence, is entirely up to you. But do remember, good answers are those that are relevant, do more than just describe events or state facts, and answer the specific question set. There is no ideal length, but a good answer is likely to be a mini-essay of several paragraphs in order to cover the necessary material.

Exemplar Question

Read the sources and then answer the questions that follow.

Use Sources A, B and C and your own knowledge.

1 (02) ) How important was propaganda in securing support for the Nazi regime before 1939? [24 marks]

Plan

• Introduction – nature and role of propaganda in Nazi Germany – how it was used
• Possible other factors which won support – success of economic and foreign policies; failure of previous regime; role of force (police state); role of education, youth movements etc.
• Evidence from the sources
• Conclusion/judgement – how important was propaganda as a governing tool?

View Exemplar Answer 1

View Exemplar Answer 2