AHS 2026 HIST PRELIM P1 QP+MS

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2 Section A (Source-Based Case Study) Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates Study the background information and all the sources carefully and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 (a) Study Source A. Why was this source published in 1939? Explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Sources B and C. Having read Source B, are you surprised by Source C? Explain your answer. Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Source D. What can you learn from this source about Hitler’s foreign policy? Explain your answer. [5] (d) Study Source E. How useful is this source as evidence about Hitler’s foreign policy? Explain your answer. [6] (e) Study all the sources. “Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War was motivated by ideology.” How far do the sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]

3 Hitler’s Foreign Policy BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was a major conflict between the Republican government, which was supported by communist groups, and the Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco. Hitler supported General Franco and the Nationalists forces against the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. Germany saw the conflict as an opportunity to advance fascism, prevent the spread of communism, strengthen ties with a potential ally, and test new military technology and tactics before World War II. Germany's intervention significantly boosted the Nationalists’ power and contributed to Franco's eventual victory in 1939. How far was Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War motivated by ideology? Source A: A cartoon published in the United States in 1939, just after the end of the Spanish Civil War. The caption of the cartoon reads ''Whose Victory?''. *Moorish mercenaries refers to Moroccan soldiers hired by Franco to fight for the Nationalist cause during the Spanish Civil War.

4 Source B: Adapted from General Franco’s Victory Parade speech in Madrid, 1939. We are proud to state that even through the most difficult moments of the war, Spain never ceased to stay true to her roots. We must pay homage of gratitude to Italy and Germany, the nations who formed the forefront of our movement. Our exceptional geographical position was the object of the ambitions of certain countries and most certainly communism. Our victory today represents the triumph of sound economic principles in opposition to these old unfounded theories. We must be prepared, therefore, to defend ourselves and to resist encirclement. Our ground is solid, and righteousness is on our side. Wherever the fight may take place, we must always have faith in our victory and in the unity and discipline of our ranks. Source C: Adapted from a Spanish historian’s article during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939, published in 1999. The Spanish Civil War gave Nazi Germany the opportunity to expand their influence in the peninsula. By the end of August 1936, the German intervention escalated with the deployment of the Condor Legion which increased the number of German fighters in Spain from 600 in mid-October 1936 to 5000 by the end of the year. But underlying Germany’s entry into the Spanish Civil War was the acquisition of mineral resources and ores that were vital to German armament industry. Goering also urged Hitler to give support to the Spanish Nationalists not just as a matter of being comrade-in-arms but to also test the combat efficiency of the Luftwaffe. Source D: Adapted from an extract of a speech by Spanish Republican and communist ‘La Pasionaria’ in 1936. People of Spain, on your feet! Women, defend the lives of your children. Defend the freedom of your men. Be ready to make unimaginable sacrifices than allow the forces of oppression to triumph. In the face of fascist terror, we are ready to fight to the bitter end to defend our liberty. Together we march, determined not to end the struggle until the enemy is defeated. The whole Spanish people, socialists, communists and anarchists alike have taken up arms against the fascist revolt. It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees! Source E: Adapted from Hitler’s speeches regarding the Spanish Civil War in 1936. If there had not been the danger of the communism overwhelming Europe, I would not have intervened in Spain. The brutal mass-slaughters of National Socialist fighters, the massacre of National Socialist women and children in Spain, are intended to serve as a warning to us. If their methods are successful, we will sink into a sea of blood and mourning. These communists should know that before the gate of Germany stands the new German Army. I have won my successes simply because

5 in the first place I endeavoured to see things as they are and not as one would like them to be.

6 Source F: Adapted from a letter by Emma Goldman, published in an English newspaper, October 1936. Goldman was a sympathiser on the Republican side in Spain. It is not out of love that Hitler and Mussolini have been supplying Franco with war material and money. European Governments must realize, as the rest of the thinking world already has, that there is a pact between the Spanish Fascists and their Italian and German friends in the unholy alliance of Fascism. It is an open secret that the imperial ambitions of Hitler and Mussolini are not easily satisfied. If they show limitless generosity to their Spanish friends, it must be because of strategic advantages agreed to by Franco. It hardly requires much vision to predict that this arrangement would put all of Europe in the palm of Hitler and Mussolini.

7 Section B: Essays Answer two questions. 2 “British intervention in Perak occurred because the British had the opportunity to intervene.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 3 “The Nazis relied more on coercion to maintain control in Germany.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 4 “The Great Depression created the opportunity for militarists to gain power in Japan.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] - End of Paper – ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright Acknowledgements: Source A: https://tampabay.newspapers.com/search/results/?date=1939&keyword=whose+vict