AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (1AB), June 2025: Question 3

03 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about why Germans supported

the Nazi Party?

Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in

Interpretations A and B.

[8 marks]

The indicative content is designed to exemplify the qualities expected at each

level and is not a full exemplar answer. All historically relevant and valid

answers should be credited.

Target Analyse individual interpretations (AO4a)

Evaluate interpretations and make substantiated judgements in the

context of historical events studied (AO4d)

Level 4: Complex evaluation of interpretations with sustained judgement based 7–8

on contextual knowledge/understanding

Extends Level 3.

Students may progress from a developed evaluation of interpretations by

analysis of the relationship between the interpretations supported by factual

knowledge and understanding.

For example, Interpretations A and B both have convincing opinions in a way

because in the 1930s all Germany suffered from the Depression and Hitler

offered simple solutions to the problems of unemployment and poverty. Hitler

criticised the Treaty of Versailles for being unfair and did not want Germany to

become Communist. The Nazis seemed to be a safe choice to bring order to

Germany against the Red Front.

Level 3: Developed evaluation of both interpretations based on contextual 5–6

knowledge/understanding

Extends Level 2.

Answers may assert one interpretation is more/less convincing.

Students may progress from a simple evaluation of the interpretations by

extended reasoning supported by factual knowledge and understanding.

For example, Interpretation A is a more convincing opinion about the reasons

for support of the Nazis because the Depression of 1929 affected all of

Germany. Bruning reduced unemployment pay and the wages of civil–– –

servants. Everyone felt the pain and the politicians could not agree on how to

help.

Level 2: Simple evaluation of one interpretation based on contextual 3–4

knowledge/understanding

There may be undeveloped comment about the other interpretation.

Students may progress from a basic analysis of interpretations to simple

evaluation, supported with factual knowledge and understanding.

For example, Interpretation B is convincing because Hitler exploited in his

speeches how badly Germany had been treated at the end of the First World

War. He knew how to appeal to different audiences, young, old, workers or

farmers.

Level 1: Basic analysis of interpretation(s) based on contextual 1–2

knowledge/understanding

Answers show understanding/support for one/both interpretation(s), but the

case is made by assertion/recognition of agreement.

For example, Interpretation A is more convincing because it was hard during

the Depression when so many people were out of work. The moderate political

parties lost support so only the communists and Nazis remained.

Students either submit no evidence or fail to address the question 0