Comparing Interpretations Questions (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note

Summary of Question 3 (b)

• Question 3 (b) asks you to explain the difference between Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2

• The interpretations used in Question 3 (b) will be the same interpretations used in Questions 3 (c) and (d)

• An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

• In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in Weimar and Nazi Germany:

  Year of Exam	Question Topic
  2018	The challenges facing the Weimar Republic in the years 1919 -23 (opens in a new tab)
  2019	Nazi policies towards women (opens in a new tab)
  2020	Support for the Nazi regime in the years 1933-39 (opens in a new tab)
  2021	Support for the Nazi Party in the years 1924- 28 (opens in a new tab)
  2022	Why Hitler became Chancellor in 1933 (opens in a new tab)
  2023	Cultural changes in the Weimar Republic in the years 1924 - 29 (opens in a new tab)
  2024	Nazi methods of controlling people, 1933–39

What is an interpretation question?

• An interpretation is someone’s point of view about a historical event, person or time period

  • Interpretations focus on different ideas or evidence, so they may not always agree

• These interpretations could be written:

  • After the event 

  • By people who were there at the time 

  • By historians

• You will be given two interpretations from the Sources/ Interpretations Booklet

  • This is a separate booklet from your answer paper

  • It includes the key interpretations you’ll need for Section B

Question 3 (b) - "What is the main difference?"

• The interpretations used in in Question 3 (b) will always be different from one another

• In the Edexcel Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918- 1939, interpretations are different based on the following themes:

  • Political developments e.g. Weimar or Nazi policies

  • Social and cultural developments e.g. Weimar or Nazi culture

  • Economic developments e.g. the effects of hyperinflation or the Wall Street Crash

"What is the main difference?" question structure

• Your answer needs to:

  • Identify and explain the main difference in content between Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 (In)

  • Support your explanation with a short quote or clear summary from each interpretation (In)

• To achieve full marks, you need to include both Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 in your answer

Worked example of a "What is the main difference?" question

Summary of Question 3 (c)

• Question 3 (c) asks you to explain why the interpretations are different

• You should not repeat what you have written in Question 3 (b)

• The interpretations used in Question 3 (c) will be the same interpretations used in Questions 3 (b) and (d)

• You can use Sources B and C in this question

  • However, if you choose not to use them, you can receive full marks

• An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

• In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in Weimar and Nazi Germany:

  Year of Exam	Question Topic
  2018	The challenges facing the Weimar Republic in the years 1919 -23 (opens in a new tab)
  2019	Nazi policies towards women (opens in a new tab)
  2020	Support for the Nazi regime in the years 1933-39 (opens in a new tab)
  2021	Support for the Nazi Party in the years 1924- 28 (opens in a new tab)
  2022	Why Hitler became Chancellor in 1933 (opens in a new tab)
  2023	Cultural changes in the Weimar Republic in the years 1924 - 29 (opens in a new tab)
  2024	Nazi methods of controlling people, 1933–39

Question 3 (c) - "Why are interpretations different?"

• Both Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 may have different interpretations due to:

  • The types of sources they have used

    • For example, some interpretations may have placed more weight on political sources whereas others may use more economic sources

  • The authors focus on short, medium or long-term developments or effects

    • For example, some interpretations may have focused on the short-term effects of an event, such as the Wall Street Crash

    • Others may focus on the long-term effects

• Do not refer to provenance

  • You will not receive any marks for an explanation focused on the provenance

"Why are the interpretations different?" question structure

• The most common way of structuring this answer is by using Sources B and C

  • One of the sources will support the argument made in Interpretation 1

  • The remaining source will agree with the argument given in Interpretation 2

  • Do not use Source A in your answer as you will not receive any marks

• Using this method, you would use the following structure in your answer:

  • State that the historians' viewpoints differ because they have given weight to different sources (In)

  • For Interpretation 1, state that they have looked at sources like Interpretation 1's matching source (either Source B or C)

  • Use quotes or details from the source and from Interpretation 1 to show how the connect (In)

  • Repeat this structure for Interpretation 2, using its matching source

• Do not use irrelevant information from the interpretations that are not based on the question

  • For example, a student may focus on the mention of Nazis in Interpretation 1, and discuss Hitler's rise to power

  • This is not relevant and will not receive marks

Worked example of a "Why are the interpretations different?" question