The People and the State (J410/02) - War and its legacy 1939–1955: Initial…

The idea

This topic traces German experience from 1939 to 1955. Learn the initial public reaction to the outbreak of war in 1939, then how Germany's fortunes changed: early gains and colonisation in the East gave way to retreat and defeat. Study the growing impact of war on civilians, including Allied bombing of cities. Weigh the extent of support for the war effort against opposition during the war, such as dissent and resistance. Follow the escalation of racial persecution that led to the Holocaust. Then cover defeat and occupation in 1945 and the Allied policy of de-Nazification, including its methods and impact. Finally, compare the differing experiences of people in East and West Germany between 1945 and 1955, for example through denazification, reconstruction and division.

What earns the marks

• Identifies the initial reaction to the outbreak of war in 1939 as a required element of the topic.
• Explains how German fortunes changed from early gains and colonisation in the East to retreat and defeat.
• Describes the growing impact of war on civilians, including Allied bombing.
• Assesses the extent of support for the war effort alongside evidence of opposition during the war.
• Traces the escalation of racial persecution that led to the Holocaust.
• Explains defeat and occupation in 1945 and the methods and impact of Allied de-Nazification.
• Compares the differing experiences of people in East and West Germany between 1945 and 1955.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treats the war as a single unchanging experience.

  Put it right: Separate the phases from 1939 gains to 1945 defeat.

• Confuses de-Nazification with the later division of Germany.

  Put it right: Keep the Allied policy distinct from the East–West split.

• Assumes all Germans supported the war.

  Put it right: Weigh support against opposition as the topic requires.

• Dates the East and West Germany comparison outside 1945–1955.

  Put it right: Keep examples inside that range.

Exam tips

• Read the question stem carefully to see which part of the topic it targets before choosing an option.
• Eliminate options that fall outside the 1939–1955 period or confuse de-Nazification with division.
• Link each option to a named element such as bombing, opposition or occupation rather than guessing.
• Check that a chosen option addresses the whole clause, for example both methods and impact of de-Nazification.