Any Questions?

If anyone has any questions about the assignment or about anything covered so far do not hesitate to post a question here and I will endeavour to answer it. The period between 1919-23 witnessed a great many events that overlapped so don't be afraid of seeking clarification.

Stabbed in the Back?

The next lessons will take up the story of Germany in 1919.

Germany's lost World War I, they have a new government and there's trouble on the streets.

Then there's the Treaty of Versailles... when will the suffering end?

The French Prime Minister, Clemenceau. Did he kick Germany when it was down?

Much of Friday will be devoted to the Treaty of Versailles.

Your first essay will be due in for Friday 7 October 2011 (there will also be a short test on the Treaty)

Title:

'Why was the Treaty of Versailles unpopular in Germany?' (12)

You may use the following in your answer and any information of your own.

• Hitler called the Treaty of Versailles 'The Dictated Peace'
• The Treaty of Versailles reduced the German Army to 100,000 men
• Germany had to pay reparations

How the question will be marked

Level 1   1-4    Simple statements - Some relevant knowledge.

Level 2  5-8   Statements will be developed with support from material which is mostly relevant and accurate.

Level 3   9-12  Sufficient accurate and relevant detail. Top of level for range of factors explored or the links between factors shown.

Just to show you how much you are loved as a class I have dusted off some tips to help you do the best you can

1. Plan your answer

2. Use of paragraphs is important. Each paragraph should have a ‘big idea’ – first sentence in each paragraph which is linked back to the central question set and precisely outlines what the paragraph is to be about. Make sure each paragraph has a central theme.

3. Work out what your big ideas are then precisely support them with appropriately selected knowledge.

4. Be analytical – analyse, don’t narrate.

5. In answers try to show both sides of an argument / balance. Use terms like however,…nevertheless, on the other hand etc.

6. Link points together ( this was made worse by the fact that,….at the same time x was happening which made the problem worse as it meant that….)

7. Explain points carefully – use terms like because, this meant that, as a result of this.

8. Refer to all of the three areas in the question, but you must also refer to other factors.

9. Ensure your written communication is a clear and sophisticated as possible.

10. In the introduction define any key terms (what, when, where etc.) then direct (show where the answer is going) – define and direct.

11. Reach a balanced conclusion which is a logical extension of your earlier points. If relevant try to reach a hierarchy of causation, effect etc. This / these were the most crucial factors because they meant that….

12. Use specialist historical terms.

There are probably important points I’ve forgotten, but these are some crucial ones.

You have the potential to do well - you need to start reaching it now. Don’t rush work - each assignment will allow you to have a chance to review important areas of work which often come up in the examination - if you do your best you’ll have the chance to get good feedback if it is rushed, you won’t.

Friday 16 September 2011

Flag of Krgyzstan

Not only is Friday 16th met with trepidation by the people of  Krrgyzstan  but it also the date of your next lesson.   

The lesson will commence with an exam / test / quiz on the material covered in the first set of lessons. Thirty marks will be on offer - 15 on 'Ideology' and 15 on 'Germany and World War I'. The questions will focus on what you covered in class - you do not need to find out everything there is to know about the Battle of Verdun or the internal workings of German Socialism.

Later in the lesson you will have the opportunity to carry out some real work of the historian by undertaking some source analysis. You will also address some of the early postwar unrest and the formation of the new Republic.

Remember by the next lesson you need to have:

1. Stuck in the necessary sheets (in order and neatly).
2. Completed the political compass test and posted the results here.
3. Revised for the examination.

Where are you on the Political Compass?

Where are you on the Political Compass?

Have you any questions / comments on political ideology?

Germany 1919-1945

OK I am biased, but German History from 1919-1945 has to be one of the most fascinating and tragic periods in the history of mankind. And I don't make such claims idly.

The period is bookended by the loss of World War I and the total defeat of Germany in 1945 at the end of the World War II.

Just think someone born in Germany in the late Nineteenth Century would have lived in Imperial Germany, experienced the horrors of World War I, suffered the difficult postwar period including hyperinflation before being plunged into the depression. The period up to 1933 would have been hard enough, but then the person in question would have had to experience the barbarism of twelve years of Nazi Germany which would include further horrors in World War II. The person in question could then have found themselves in the German Democratic Republic (aka East Germany).

German Twentieth Century History is almost ridiculously rich and the period you are studying is the richest of all. I would honestly say studying the period is invaluable and will stay with you. However, some parts will have you thinking 'do I really want to be studying this'?