July Plot

Why did the July Plot of 1944 fail? (8 marks)

Mark scheme — Levels 1–4. Key points:

• Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb was moved by an officer behind a heavy oak table leg.
• Hitler survived with minor injuries.
• Conspirators in Berlin were slow to act, waiting for confirmation of Hitler's death.
• Generals receiving false telegrams hesitated.
• Goebbels rallied the Reserve Army; Major Remer arrested the conspirators.
• ~5,000 executed in revenge; Stauffenberg shot the same night.
• The plot revealed deep divisions in the army but came too late to alter the war.