Question
Evaluate the main challenges to the establishment of political systems in the emerging nations of Latin America.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to focus their responses on the problems faced by the newly independent Latin American nations. These challenges could be identified as economic, political or social, although that is not mandatory. The key is to appraise the challenges as they relate to the establishment of governments.
Indicative content
Economic factors
• Some countries started off in debt as a result of loans acquired during the wars of independence.
• Overseas trade had virtually ceased between 1810 and 1826. This, alongside increased military expenditure and difficulties that were experienced when trying to collect taxes, meant that budget deficits increased further.
• Although, after 1830, trade with Europe improved in some areas, local manufacturers were negatively affected by foreign competition.
• The lack of national banking systems and infrastructure, including transportation, communication and access to clean water, was a bar to development.
• The decimation of the male population in some regions and the devastation of economic resources were also problematic.
Political factors
• Candidates may stress that many leaders were unable to enforce liberal constitutions.
• Further, the rise and rule of caudillos and the existence of militarized societies posed a significant challenge.
• Regional political division and disparity both conspired against nation building and led to increased opportunities for the outbreak of civil wars and revolutions.
Social factors
• Social equality remained largely an ideal; there was discrimination against indigenous populations and mestizos, and non-whites only exceptionally reached positions of influence.
• Slavery was not abolished immediately after independence in some countries.
• The uneven distribution of land could be seen to imply that there were no significant social changes.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Evaluate the arguments used to oppose Canadian Confederation.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to appraise the many objections by various Canadians to Confederation. They may include opposition arguments from the Maritimes, French Canadians, farmers in West Canada and from British Columbia.
Indicative content
• The concerns of individual groups varied but included fear of increased taxation by a central government and the loss of political control to a larger national government.
• Other arguments could include the lack of a popular vote, forced support for a trans-Canadian Railway, a concern that the Maritimes would be a financial burden, and fear that local needs would be ignored by national government.
• French Canadians and other groups were fearful of losing their cultural differences or of being discriminated against because of them.
• British Columbia felt far removed from the rest of Canada and saw little need for joining.
• Anti-confederation positions in the Maritimes could include Joseph Howe’s Brotherton Letters, Prince Edward Island’s concern about funding projects that would have no benefit for them and Newfoundland’s refusal to join. Candidates might also include a fear of the Maritimes in losing their ties to the United Kingdom.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so
Question
Examine the impact of the War of 1812 on British North America and the United States.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must focus on the impact, rather than the causes, of the War of 1812; however consideration of the conduct of the war may be relevant in illustrating aspects of the “impact”. Remain open to both immediate and longer-term effects of the war.
Indicative content
• The Treaty of Ghent (1815) restored pre-war territorial holdings in North America and illustrated the war’s conclusion as a military stalemate.
• Native American confederations, which had largely supported British North America, were forced to cede territory and, as a consequence, were unable to resist future US territorial expansion east of the Mississippi River.
• The Federalist Party in the US, which had opposed the war, lost nearly all political power. While the US conduct of the war had evidenced sectionalism and disunity, the exit from the war led to an extended period of nationalism.
• Both British North America and the US benefitted economically from the war. British North America experienced a trade boom in the Maritimes and prosperity in the St Lawrence fur trade. In the US, manufacturing grew due to the British naval blockade, leading to greater economic self-sufficiency.
• The war promoted the unity of British-Canadians and French-Canadians due to their cooperation in resisting the US invasion and their bond with Britain was strengthened.
• The war led to the signing of the Rush-Bagot Treaty (1817), which demilitarized the Great Lakes and contributed to a long-standing peaceful US-Canada border relationship.
• Future President Andrew Jackson gained a great deal of national fame as a result of the battle of New Orleans. His earlier actions helped lead to the acquisition of Spanish Florida.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so
Question
To what extent did the new nations improve the social and economic conditions of one or more social groups such as Native Americans, mestizos and immigrants?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must gauge the impact of new nations on the conditions of a social group or range of social groups in any country or countries of the region. Candidates may choose to write on Native Americans, mestizos or any other relevant example(s), but this would need to be supported with relevant detailed knowledge. The depth and detail of the response should be evaluated in respect to whether candidates address only one group or more than one group.
Indicative content
• Most new nations were traditional societies and remained hierarchical after independence. The elites remained in control and resisted a broad notion of social equality.
• Generally, in the case of Native Americans and mestizos, neither of these social groups gained significant access to land and property, which continued to be largely in the hands of traditional creole families.
• Following independence, the tribute system continued to be imposed on the Native Americans and the legal status of some communal landholding was challenged. Thousands of Native Americans lost their land and were forced to relocate and were offered menial employment opportunities.
• There was an absence of protection for the civil rights of Native Americans in the region. In many places, gradual depopulation took place.
• In many countries, opportunities for the education of mestizos and Native Americans were limited.
• For balance, candidates could argue that in some countries, social equality became part of the legislation (for example race classifications were removed from censuses and official records) and mestizos found less opposition to their social mobility. In areas where there were not enough creoles, mestizos had the opportunity to fill some important positions.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so