It was a pretty decent exam.
WWI - pretty standard, probably even easier compared to some of the other papers, sources gave enough to sustain responses.
National Study - I did Germany, the first question on how effectively the Nazis dealt with the political, economic and social issues that Weimar left. I thought it was a little bit different, but had a good knowledge of the issues and then twisted knowledge I had from nazi consolidation etc to show that they pretty effectively dealt with it. Talked about, for economics, the war economy, infrastructure investment, Hjalmar Scacht, Autarky, and how the Nazis basically fixed most of the problems Weimar left, and then some. Political & Social I talked about the whole one party state thing, liquidation of the SA basically got rid of previous instability, divisions, changes in gov and the army being a state within a state. Then the material benefits of nazism a little for social - showed that they had a pretty widespread appeal, especially with hitler pulling Germany out of the depression. Hoping I do alright, thought I mounted a decent argument after I got my head around the question, but I may have spent a little too long establishing the Weimar issues.
Personality - part a was standard, found part b a little challenging as Riefenstahl didn't really have any massive life challenges, so I just twisted her response to the request to be Hitler's filmmaker, later life controversies to be the challenges, and showed how her personal response to them was what shaped her reputation, contribution etc. Was a little rushed as I did it last.
Conflict in Europe - questions were both a little unusual but appeasement was good. Basically went with the statement, argued that yes appeasement aimed to forestall war, not to maintain peace, but further argued that in doing so, it really failed as it perpetuated the growth of aggressive dictators, contributed to the failure of the league, and basically actually drew war nearer. Tried to focus on the statement, and then go further and look at how it failed to do what it was intended to in each sort of paragraph, used Munich conference and Abyssinia as my main examples. Looked at both sides of the policy too, the actual concessions and the non-intervention
Hoping I did okay, really would like to go well. Anyone wanna tell me if they think my arguments seem valid enough to get me up there?