INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAURÉAT
BACHILLERATO
BACCALAUREATE
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNACIONAL
MARKSCHEME
April 2009
HISTORY
Standard Level
Paper 1
Section A
Subject: The Terms of the Treaty of
Versailles
1. a) Why according to Source A, were the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles viewed as ‘Diktat” by the people of Germany?
The reasons given in Source A are Territorial losses, Reparations, Secrecy,
Colonial losses, Article 231 and Demilitarisation. All of these resulted in the anger
and public outcry against the Treaty of Versailles. Award [1 mark] for simple
comprehension, and the other [2 marks] for explanations of at least 2 of the
terms. The terms of the treaty of Versailles can be viewed as diktat by the
Germans as the reparations damaged the economy of German for years to ocme,
the Article 231 (War Guilt clause) publicly humiliated them and made Germany
the enemy of all those damaged by the war. Also the great territorial losses in
which Germany lost 13% of its total land, all of her colonies and 7 million of its
population was incredibly harsh. Along with this the secrecy is which the treaty
was signed created even greater uproar in Germany and the obvious threat of
invasion that demilitarisation brought upon Germany was incredibly daunting for
its population.
b) What message is conveyed in Source B?
Award
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[1 mark] for a simple explanation referring to one of the following:
The German Government were going to sign the treaty
But did not want to take responsibility of WW1
And did not want to deliver the war criminals to the Allies
Award [2 marks] for two of the above or for more sophisticated comment, note
the anger of the German’s and their reluctance to not sign these two agreements
and sign the reparations and territorial losses etc.
2. Compare and contrast the views on the Treaty of Versailles
expressed in Sources C and E.
For comparison:
 Both sources are from the period of time that the treaty occurred and
therefore portrayed the primary reactions and actions towards the Treaty
of Versailles
 Source E calls for a harsh punishment of Germany and source C is clearly
depicting this.
 Both sources portray the cruel treatment of Germany and Germany’s
inability to change the outcome of the Treaty
For Contrast:
 Source E is portrayed as though the Treaty is a necessity and justice must
be harsh upon the German and totally defensible and adequate
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Source C is portrayed as though the Treaty was unfair and unbearable for
the Germans who were rebuilding their economy and working class.
Source E is more formal and a speech addressed to masses therefore
using resounding language to emphasise the point of the argument
Source C is a cartoon with no discussion on relevant events, just a
drawing open for interpretation
Source E is before the actual implementation of the Treaty of Versailles
Source C is directly after the Treaty was put into place and is epitomising
the extreme view against the Treaty.
If only one document is addressed, award a maximum of [2 marks]. Brief
descriptions of both sources will be worth around [3 marks] if the comparative
element is only implicit, and [4 marks] with explicit linkage. If the linkage is
excellent or there is detailed material in a comparative framework [5 or 6
marks] could be scored.
3. With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the value and
limitations for historians studying the harshness of the terms of the
Treaty of Versailles, of Sources D and A
The origin of Source D is that it is an Article from the Treaty of Versailles. It is
Article 231, Germany accepting responsibility for WW1. The purpose of the article
is to outline exactly the terms of the guilt clause. The value of the source is that it
is an extract from the original document and therefore its authenticity is
guaranteed. The limitations of the source are that there is no German viewpoint
is included and does not state factual evidence of Germany’s complete
responsibility.
The origin of Source A is that it is an extract from a Historical Textbook called
Essential Modern World History first published in 2001 by Nelson Thornes LTD. Its
purpose is to inform readers about the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Utilizes
multiple sources and as it is published in 2001 the historians would have used
access to archives of information and therefore higher chance of accuracy.
However its publication date is also a limitation as opinions may have been
distorted over time. Also as a western publication the structure and text may be
bias. The political stance of the author is not stated and this could also make the
text subjective.
Ideally each source will be marked out of [3 marks] but if only one source is
addressed then mark out of [4 marks]. For a maximum mark of [6 marks]
student must refer - with relevant points - to the origin, purpose, value and
limitation for both sources.
4. Using these sources and your own knowledge express to what extent you agree with the
verdict on the Treaty of Versailles expressed in Source A as “dictated peace”.
Source A lists the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and highlights the harsh,
deceitful and merciless way in which the Germans were dealt with after WW1.
Source B shows a weak resistance to some of the more embarrassing terms of
the Treaty of Versailles and highlights how the Germans were horrified and feelin
oppressed by the Treaty
Source C depicts the common feeling of Germans after the Treaty of Versailles. A
cruelty imposed upon them that burdened and ‘dictated’ their lives.
Source D record the terms of Article 231 the Guilt Clause. The humiliation of
accepting responsibility for the greatest war in history to date and the deaths of
millions was the most deterring term of the Treaty for the Germans.
Source E describes the French view on the way in which Germany should be
dealt with. It calls for justice to the dead; furthermore it suggests that the Treaty
would be relentless on German society.
Own knowledge could include statistics and further evidence and details of the
Treaty of Versailles being harsh on the population of Germany. It could be
discussed in relation to events in the war or following the implementation of the
Treaty of Versailles.
If only source material or only own knowledge is used, the maximum mark that
can be obtained by the candidate is [5 marks]. To obtain full marks, there must
be an assessment and the source material should be referenced. For [8 marks]
expect arguments, synthesis of documentary material and own knowledge, and
the sources referenced.