a) What was the Warsaw Pact?
(4 marks)
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its communist
allies as a response to NATO. It included the USSR, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania. The Pact aimed to unite the Eastern Bloc
militarily, ensuring Soviet control over its satellite states. It also acted as a defensive
agreement, stating that an attack on one member was an attack on all. The Warsaw Pact was
also used to justify Soviet military interventions, such as in Hungary (1956) and
Czechoslovakia (1968), when communist governments were threatened by uprisings.
(b) Why was Germany a source of dispute after the Second World War? (6
marks)
Germany became a major source of tension between the USA and USSR because both
superpowers had different visions for its future. The Western Allies wanted a democratic and
economically strong Germany, while the USSR wanted a weak, communist Germany to
prevent future threats. This led to the division into four occupation zones (controlled by the
USA, Britain, France, and the USSR). However, disagreements arose over economic policies,
as the Western powers merged their zones into Bizonia (1947) and Trizonia (1948), angering
Stalin.
The conflict escalated when Stalin imposed the Berlin Blockade (1948-49) to cut off supplies to
West Berlin. In response, the USA and its allies launched the Berlin Airlift, successfully
delivering supplies for nearly a year until Stalin lifted the blockade. The growing tensions
resulted in the creation of two separate states in 1949: West Germany (FRG), a capitalist
democracy, and East Germany (GDR), a communist state controlled by the USSR. The
economic success of West Germany, supported by the Marshall Plan, made it a key Cold
War battleground, as the USSR feared its influence on the East.
(c) ‘The Marshall Plan was designed to ensure the domination of the USA
over Europe.’ How far do you agree? (10 marks)
The Marshall Plan played a major role in securing American influence over Europe, but it also
aimed to rebuild war-torn nations and prevent the spread of communism.
The Marshall Plan, introduced in 1947 by US Secretary of State George Marshall, offered $13
billion in financial aid to help European countries recover from World War II. The USA
believed that economic hardship made countries more vulnerable to communism, and by
strengthening Western Europe, it could limit Soviet influence. However, this aid came with
conditions—countries had to commit to free-market economies, which aligned them with
American interests. This strengthened US political and economic ties with Europe, particularly in
West Germany and France, securing long-term allies against the USSR.
Furthermore, the Marshall Plan benefited the USA by creating trade opportunities. A
recovering Europe meant increased demand for American goods and services, boosting the
US economy. Additionally, the USSR and its allies were excluded from the aid, deepening
Cold War divisions. Stalin responded by tightening control over Eastern Europe and creating
COMECON (1949) as a Soviet alternative to economic cooperation.
However, the plan was not purely about US control. It also prevented economic collapse,
which could have led to political instability and another war. The devastation in Europe was
severe—industries were destroyed, food shortages were common, and people struggled to
rebuild. The aid allowed Europe to recover faster, improving living conditions and restoring
stability.
In conclusion, the Marshall Plan significantly increased US influence over Western Europe, but it
also had genuine humanitarian and economic benefits. While it strengthened the capitalist bloc
in the Cold War, it was also essential in preventing further conflicts and rebuilding European
economies.
(a) Describe how Germany reacted to the French occupation of the Ruhr. (4
marks)
In 1923, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr, Germany’s industrial heartland, because
Germany failed to pay reparations. In response, the German government ordered passive
resistance, instructing workers to go on strike rather than cooperate with the French. The
government continued to pay workers’ wages, but since no goods were being produced,
Germany’s economy collapsed. To cover costs, the government printed more money, leading
to hyperinflation—prices soared, and the German currency became worthless. Some German
civilians also sabotaged factories and railways, while the French responded harshly by
arresting strikers and using force to maintain control.
(b) Why did the Freikorps attempt to take control of Germany in 1920? (6
marks)
The Freikorps, a paramilitary group of ex-soldiers, attempted to overthrow the Weimar
government in the Kapp Putsch (1920) because they opposed the Treaty of Versailles and
wanted to restore authoritarian rule. One major cause was their resentment towards military
restrictions, as the treaty forced Germany to reduce its army to 100,000 soldiers, leading to
the disbandment of the Freikorps. Many of them felt betrayed by the government, believing
the ‘November Criminals’ had surrendered unnecessarily in 1918.
The crisis began when the Weimar government tried to disband two Freikorps brigades
(12,000 men). In response, Freikorps leader Wolfgang Kapp and General Lüttwitz marched
into Berlin and declared a new right-wing government. The Reichswehr (army) refused to
stop them, with many officers sympathizing with the coup. However, the putsch ultimately failed
because the Weimar government called for a general strike, paralyzing Berlin. Without public
support, Kapp fled, and the Freikorps uprising collapsed after four days. Despite its failure, the
Kapp Putsch showed that Weimar faced serious threats from right-wing extremists.
(c) How important was Stresemann to the survival of the Weimar Republic?
(10 marks)
Stresemann played a crucial role in stabilizing the Weimar Republic, particularly through
economic recovery and international diplomacy, but other factors also contributed to its survival.
One of his most significant achievements was ending hyperinflation in 1923 by introducing the
Rentenmark, a new stable currency that restored confidence in the German economy. He also
negotiated the Dawes Plan (1924) with the USA, securing loans and reducing reparations
payments, which helped German industry recover. Under his leadership, Germany’s economy
improved, reducing unemployment and social unrest.
Stresemann also improved Germany’s international standing through diplomacy. The
Locarno Treaties (1925)normalized relations with France and Belgium, ensuring Germany’s
western borders remained stable. This led to Germany being admitted into the League of
Nations in 1926, restoring its status as a major power. His policies reassured both Germans
and foreign investors, further strengthening the Republic.
However, Weimar’s survival was not solely due to Stresemann. The general strike against the
Kapp Putsch (1920)showed that the public could still support democracy. Additionally,
American loans and foreign investment played a significant role in stabilizing the economy,
meaning Stresemann’s policies depended on external factors. Finally, extremist threats from
the Nazis and Communists were temporarily weak in the 1920s, allowing Weimar to
consolidate power.
In conclusion, Stresemann was vital to Weimar’s survival, particularly in fixing the economy and
improving diplomacy, but structural factors like public resistance to coups and foreign support
also helped. While his policies were successful, they relied on continued economic stability,
which ultimately collapsed after his death in 1929.
