'Economic depression was the main reason Hitler came to power', to what extent do you agree? (16 marks)

When answering a GCSE 16 mark question it is important to make sure you plan the main points you are going to use in your answer. Your plan does not have to be extensive, it can be a simple list or spider diagram, by doing this, you can firstly ensure that you do not leave out any important information for answering the question. For a 16 mark question, you should be writing a short introduction, a main body that includes around 7 or 8 different points and then a short conclusion to summarise your points and reinforce your argument. Think carefully about what the question is asking you, break it down into 'economic depression', 'main reason Hitler came to power', and 'do you agree'. You are expected to make, explain and justify your own opinion, chose if you want to agree or disagree with the statement using the information you have available. Throughout your essay use the PEE method (Point, Evidence, Explanation) to make sure that the examiner or teacher can easily follow your answer. In your introduction you need to make it clear to what extent you agree with the statement, give some background information to show that you know your facts and acknowledge the other reasons Hitler came to power. For example 'I believe that the economic depression which reached its climax in 1933, had a huge effect on Hitler's rise to power and plays a crucial role in the chain of events which all contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis'. Points to think about in the main include: how economic depression contributed to the rise to power and why it was more significant than the other reasons. Propaganda, policies that were appealing to the public, the role of other politicians such as Von Papen and Hindenburg, Reichstag fire, emergency powers and enabling act, the night of the long knives and finally Hindenburg's death. In the conclusion, reinforce how a chain of events led to Hitler's rise to power, but reinforce your opinion that economic depression was the main cause.