Higher Paper 2

The SkillsA Way Forward

Significance of Paper 2

• Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 25 minutes.

• Paper 2 counts for 30 out of the 110

marks for the external assessment.

• Paper 2 will have 5 primary and/or

secondary sources and 5 questions.

Typical format of questions

1.    How useful / accurate / reliable is the source?

•2.  Comparing sources•3.  How typical is the point of view expressed in the source?•4.   How fully does one source explain a

development, event or point of view?•5. How fully do three sources explain a

development, event or point of view?

Type 1: Evaluating the usefulness / value / reliability of

a source• How useful is source A in explaining …?• How well does source A illustrate the

development of …?• Assess the value of source A as

historical evidence.• NB. Different wording but testing

same skill of evaluating the origin, purpose and content of source in context.

Source A is a report by the heads of the three armed services on their ability to

fight a war against Germany in 1936 • In view of the gravity of the position

resulting from the German occupation of the Demilitarised Zone, we met on the 12 March 1936, without instructions but with the knowledge and approval of the Prime Minister, to examine the military aspects of the situation.

Q. How reliable is Source A as evidence of Britain’s weak military position in 1936?

(5)

This is an extract

only Taskof

Question?

Topicof

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Significance?

Structure of your answer1. Introduce your answer by considering the context in which the source was produced – remilitarisation of the Rhineland. 2. Discuss who made the speech, when it was made and what was its purpose – how do these affect its usefulness? (origins &

purpose) i. e. provenance of source

Recall here can include further details about the author, purpose, etc.

3. Consider content of the source – what points are being made? Use own

words but can use short quotes. Is it accurate, is it biased?

Bring in some of your knowledge to support or argue against information

in the source. How does the source’s accuracy affect its usefulness? (content)

5. You must conclude your answer by commenting on the usefulness. One or two sentences can serve as a conclusion.

Points I must consider (From source + from recall)• Author

• Date

• Purpose{nature of document}

• Content

Authority on …Informed as to …

1936 at time of …

To supply accurate & confidential info. to …

Recognition of policyof appeasement

Exaggeration?

Consistency (with other evidence) ?

Accuracy?Recall

(own knowledge)

Type 2: Comparing Sources

Questions comparing sources include:

• Compare the views in Sources A and B about …

• Compare the attitudes towards the reoccupation of the Rhineland expressed in Sources B and C.

• In what ways and for what reasons so Sources C and D differ over …?

• Explain why Sources C and D differ about …

i.e. different wording – same skill - comparison

These two ask for reasons for differences

Source A is from a speech by Hugh Dalton, a leading member of the Labour

Opposition, in Parliament, 20 March 1936 It is only right to say bluntly and frankly that public opinion in this country would not support and certainly the Labour Party would not support, the taking of military sanctions or even economic sanctions against Germany at this time … Public opinion here does, I think, draw a clear distinction between the actions of Signor Mussolini in resorting to aggressive war and waging it beyond his frontiers and the actions, up-to-date at any rate of Herr Hitler, which, much as we may regard them as reprehensible, have taken place within the frontiers of the German Reich

Q. Explain the different attitude towards the Rhineland crisis expressed in Sources A and B. (5)

Taskof

Question?

Topicof

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Context?

Attitude means the way a person viewssomething or tends to behave towards it

Source B is from an article by Harold Macmillan, a Conservative MP, on the same problem in ‘The Star’ newspaper, 20th March 1936.This is the tragic feature of the present crisis. There will be no war now. But unless a settlement is made now – a settlement that can only be made bay a vigorous lead from this country – there will be a war in 1940 or 1941. And unless there is a new European system built now – a system of Peace, the acid test of which is the principle of declared armaments, internationally inspected and supervised, based upon agreements upon territorial and economic questions – we shall have a period of frantic rearmament, with intense jealousy and rivalry, which will inevitably lead to war. For we must face these issues now. If Germany is sincere in her protestations about Peace, let us build the new Peace system now. If she refuses reasonable terms of accommodation, and is proved to be insincere, let us coerce her now. – whilst she is relatively weak – instead of waiting until 1940 or 1941, when she will be immensely strong.

Structure of your answer1. Introduce your answer by considering

the context in which the source was produced – remilitarisation of the Rhineland.

2. Outline the attitude in each source using own words

3. Discuss main differences in sources. If Q asks you to explain the difference you should consider provenance of each & reasons for different opinions.

4. Conclude by highlighting key differences and, if necessary, reasons for differences.

Points I must consider Context

Do I need to explain differences?

Put into own words

1936 at time of …

Recall(own knowledge)

99% of time YES

It is only right to say bluntly and frankly that public opinion in this country would not support and certainly the Labour Party would not support, the taking of military sanctions or even economic sanctions against Germany at this time … Public opinion here does, I think, draw a clear distinction between the actions of Signor Mussolini in resorting to aggressive war and waging it beyond his frontiers and the actions, up-to-date at any rate of Herr Hitler, which, much as we may regard them as reprehensible, have taken place within the frontiers of the German Reich

Source A is from a speech by Hugh Dalton, a leading member of the Labour Opposition, in

Parliament, 20 March 1936

What is Hugh Dalton’s attitude towards Germany & the

remilitarisation of the Rhineland?

Pacifist

Source B is from an article by Harold Macmillan, a Conservative MP, on the same problem in ‘The Star’ newspaper, 20th March 1936.This is the tragic feature of the present crisis. There will be no war now. But unless a settlement is made now – a settlement that can only be made bay a vigorous lead from this country – there will be a war in 1940 or 1941. And unless there is a new European system built now – a system of Peace, the acid test of which is the principle of declared armaments, internationally inspected and supervised, based upon agreements upon territorial and economic questions – we shall have a period of frantic rearmament, with intense jealousy and rivalry, which will inevitably lead to war. For we must face these issues now. If Germany is sincere in her protestations about Peace, let us build the new Peace system now. If she refuses reasonable terms of accommodation, and is proved to be insincere, let us coerce her now. – whilst she is relatively weak – instead of waiting until 1940 or 1941, when she will be immensely strong.

Germany’s actions not

acceptable – do something

now

What is Harold Macmillan’s attitude

towards Germany & the remilitarisation of the

Rhineland?

Type 3: How typical is the point of view?

How fully does source C explain …

How widely held were the views expressed in

source C about …?

How typical were the views in source C of attitudes in Britain towards …?

How much support was there at the time for the views expressed in source C?

Focus: understanding the source and context

It is only right to say bluntly and frankly that public opinion in this country would not support and certainly the Labour Party would not support, the taking of military sanctions or even economic sanctions against Germany at this time … Public opinion here does, I think, draw a clear distinction between the actions of Signor Mussolini in resorting to aggressive war and waging it beyond his frontiers and the actions, up-to-date at any rate of Herr Hitler, which, much as we may regard them as reprehensible, have taken place within the frontiers of the German Reich

Source A is from a speech by Hugh Dalton, a leading member of the Labour Opposition, in

Parliament, 20 March 1936

Q. How well did Hugh Dalton, in source A, reflect public opinion at the time? (6)

1. Identify point of view expressed in source and the context of the source.

Structure of your answer

Reoccupation of the Rhineland2. Use your own knowledge to refer to other

opinions similar to those in source A.

3. Use your own knowledge to refer to any different opinions to those in source A.

4. Conclude your answer by summing up the extent to which the attitudes in source A reflect opinion at that time.

It is only right to say bluntly and frankly that public opinion in this country would not support and certainly the Labour Party would not support, the taking of military sanctions or even economic sanctions against Germany at this time … Public opinion here does, I think, draw a clear distinction between the actions of Signor Mussolini in resorting to aggressive war and waging it beyond his frontiers and the actions, up-to-date at any rate of Herr Hitler, which, much as we may regard them as reprehensible, have taken place within the frontiers of the German Reich

Source A is from a speech by Hugh Dalton, a leading member of the Labour Opposition, in

Parliament, 20 March 1936

Reoccupation of the Rhineland

2 weeks later

Contemporary Viewpoints

Support• Lord Lothian

– “they are only going into their back garden.”

• Public Opinion– 1933 East Fulham

by-election result– Oxford debate

• Labour pacifist

Alternative• Harold Macmillan

MP– Stronger stand– Feared future war– Minority view

• ‘Daily Telegraph’ only newspaper to support Macmillan.

• Churchill– anti-appeasement

Type 4: How fully does one source explain a development, event or point of view?

How well does source A explain … ?

How fully does source B explain …?

In what ways does source C justify …?

To what extent does source D explain …?

How far do you accept the explanation in source E for …?

Focus: Ability to interpret and give balanced evaluation of a source. Requires recalled knowledge.

In my view the strongest force of all, one which grew and took fresh shapes and forms everyday was the force not of any one individual, but was that unmistakeable sense of unanimity among the peoples of the world that war must somehow be averted. The peoples of the British Empire were at one with those of Germany, of France, and of Italy, and their anxiety, their intense desire for peace, pervaded the whole atmosphere of the conference, and I believe that that, and not threats, made possible the concessions that were made.

Source A is from a speech by Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons, 5th

October 1938.

Q. How well does source A explain British government policy during the Munich crisis of

1938? (6)

This is an extract

only Taskof

Question?

Topicof

Question?

1. Give brief descriptionof context

Structure of your answer

Munich Crisis of 1938

2. Discuss Chamberlain’s explanation in source A.

3. Discuss other motives behind British government policy during the Munich crisis.

4. Conclude your answer by summing up the extent to which you accept the explanation given in source A.

In my view the strongest force of all, one which grew and took fresh shapes and forms everyday was the force not of any one individual, but was that unmistakeable sense of unanimity among the peoples of the world that war must somehow be averted. The peoples of the British Empire were at one with those of Germany, of France, and of Italy, and their anxiety, their intense desire for peace, pervaded the whole atmosphere of the conference, and I believe that that, and not threats, made possible the concessions that were made.

Source A is from a speech by Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons, 5th

October 1938.

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Alternative points of view?

Type 5: How fully do three sources explain a development, event or point of view?• To what extent do sources E, D and F illustrate

the changing attitudes of the British government towards Germany in the 1930’s?

• How fully do sources A, D and E explain why the British followed a policy of appeasement?

8 mark question tests wide range of skills:

• Interpreting sources• Source comparison• Setting sources in wider context• Recalling knowledge• Making balanced evaluation of sources

Notice broader sweep of questions

Taskof

Question?

Topicof

Question?

1. Set sources in context

Structure of your answer

2. Discuss the ways in which each source explains the policy of the British government.

3. Using recalled knowledge discuss other explanations not given in the sources, for example, British public’s fear of war.

Spanish Civil War

Give good explanation but not all reasons given

Not in position to fight war in military terms –lack of funding

Who would support Britain?

Devastation would be worse due to aerial combat – Guernica?

4. Conclude by directly answering the question whether or not the sources fully explain British Government policy.