Answering the ‘Explain’ question

Answering the‘Explain’ question Click to continue

You will get a question that asks you to explain something, for example: • ‘Why did the League of Nations fail to solve the Abyssinian crisis?’ Click to continue

The mark scheme says that this is how you will earn marks: • ‘One explained reason 3–4 marks; two or more explained reasons 4–6 marks’ • So it wants you to be able to: • cite two reasons why something happened • be able to explain how each worked and provide relevant facts Click to continue

So, to get full marks, you need to: • give a reason why something happened explain how it worked to cause what it caused cite a fact or two to illustrate this repeat this for a second reason Click to continue

So… Let’s prepare our thoughts about this question… Can you think (off the top of your head) of any reasons the League failed in Abyssinia? • Why did the League of Nations fail to solve the Abyssinian crisis? Click to continue

I can think of loads! But you only need to think of two! The League objected but Italy ignored it In 1936, Hitler marched into the Rhineland • Why did the League of Nations fail to solve the Abyssinian crisis? Mussolini was determined to increase his empire The League’s secretariat was too small The League did not have the support of the USA The League did not impose sanctions Italy was too strong for the League The League had only ‘moral persuasion’ The Depression made countries less prepared to compromise The League did not close the Suez canal Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy As a member of the Council, Italy had a veto The League banned arms sales (which harmed Abyssinia) Click to continue

Let’s take just one of them… Can you think of a fact to go with it? And how did it work to make the League fail? • betrayed it • discredited it • even its leaders • ignored it • gave Italy the • go-ahead And you’re ready to write… • Why did the League of Nations fail to solve the Abyssinian crisis? Hoare–Laval Pact Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy The League banned arms sales (which harmed Abyssinia) Click to continue

betrayed it • discredited it • even its leaders • ignored it • gave Italy the • go-ahead Start off… • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because… • Why did the League of Nations fail to solve the Abyssinian crisis? Hoare–Laval Pact Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy Click to continue

betrayed it • discredited it • even its leaders • ignored it • gave Italy the • go-ahead Add the reason… • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy. Hoare–Laval Pact Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy Click to continue

betrayed it • discredited it • even its leaders • ignored it • gave Italy the • go-ahead Add the fact… • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy. • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy (the Hoare–Laval Pact). Hoare–Laval Pact Click to continue

betrayed it • discredited it • even its leaders • ignored it • gave Italy the • go-ahead Finally, add the explanation… • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy (the Hoare–Laval Pact). • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy (the Hoare–Laval Pact). This betrayed the League and Abyssinia. It discredited the League, showing that even its leaders ignored it. And it essentially gave Italy the go-ahead to disobey and ignore the League. Click to continue

…is the second reason. And now all you need… (Your teacher might advise you to add a third reason.) • The first reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because Britain and France secretly agreed to give Abyssinia to Italy (the Hoare–Laval Pact). This betrayed the League and Abyssinia. It discredited the League, showing that even its leaders ignored it. And it essentially gave Italy the go-ahead to disobey and ignore the League. • The second reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because… • A third reason the League failed in Abyssinia was because… Mussolini was determined to increase his empire The League banned arms sales (which harmed Abyssinia) Click to continue

Answering the ‘Explain’ question