IBDP History: The Americas (1980–2005)-IB Style questions-HL option 2 -Paper 3

Question

Evaluate the impact of Reagan’s foreign policy on Latin America.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans:

Candidates are required to appraise the impact of US actions in Latin America. The impact of Reagan’s actions could be positive or negative depending on countries and policies; however, candidates should reach a substantiated conclusion.

Indicative content
• The impact of the Reagan Doctrine, a restatement of the Truman Doctrine, applied overt and covert aid in the region in an attempt to drive out communism.
• In general, the US returned to the policy of supporting any government that was anti-communist
• The invasion of Grenada in 1983 removed a supposed Marxist government.
• Reagan supported right wing governments in El Salvador and Guatemala, in spite of human rights abuses.
• US diplomacy initially attempted to stay neutral on the Falklands/Malvinas War, but shifted to supporting the United Kingdom.
• Reagan opposed the Sandinistas in Nicaragua; overtly with economic sanctions and covertly by aiding the contras.
• In Haiti, the US supported a coup to remove Duvalier.
• Reagan was supportive of democratic transitions in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Honduras and Uruguay.

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

Discuss the social and economic effects of globalization on one country in the Americas during the period from 1980 to 2000.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans:

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the effects of globalization on society and the economy of one country in the region within the given time period. The effects vary greatly depending upon the country chosen. A possible approach could be to identify the characteristics of globalization in order to review its benefits and limitations.

Indicative content
Economic effects
• Globalization gave access to new markets.
• Employment levels were either positively or negatively affected.
• Many countries experienced modernization of communications and transportation.
• Growth of transnational trade, the extension of regional economic integration, such as the North America Free Trade Association (NAFTA) and Mercado Comun del Sur, Mercosur (the Common Market of the South) could all be considered.
• The role of multinational corporations, capital flight, and greater competition could be included.
• Globalization also resulted in increased environmental concerns.

Social effects
• New immigration patterns, especially to the US, developed.
• Greater cultural diversity and challenges to local cultures were also results of globalization.
• The growth of consumerism and new opportunities in education occurred.
• In some countries, globalization may have created greater social inequality.
• There was a rise of social movements opposed to globalization, such as Zapatistas in Mexico.

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

With reference to their impact on the Americas, compare and contrast the policies of Bush and Clinton up to 2000.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans:

Bush was elected in 1988 and was defeated by Clinton in 1992. Clinton served until January 2001. Candidates are likely to focus on Bush’s invasion of Panama, along with his initiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In respect to Clinton, the likely focus will be on relations with Mexico, Haiti and Cuba.

Indicative content
• Bush and Clinton were alike in their support for NAFTA, which was controversial across party lines. Bush initiated the agreement and Clinton supported its ratification by the US Congress. While trade among the participants was greatly expanded, criticisms persist as to whether NAFTA caused the loss of industry and jobs in the US and Canada.
• Bush invaded Panama based on claims of Noriega’s increasing involvement in drug trafficking and suppression of political opposition. Noriega’s capture and conviction in the US was seen as a violation of international law and denounced by the Organization of American States (OAS), though there was little support in Latin America for the Noriega administration. Clinton threatened to invade Haiti in response to Cedras’s removal of the democratically elected Aristide. Through diplomatic pressure (and threats of force), Clinton was able to secure the removal of Cedras and Aristide was restored to office.
• Bush initiated trade sanctions against Haiti in response to Cedras’s removal of Aristide and these were continued by Clinton, when he took office. Clinton also continued Bush’s policy of returning most Haitian refugees who attempted to enter the US.
• Clinton responded to the Mexican “peso crisis” by seeking Congressional approval for direct aid, fearing the economic impact on the US economy if the Mexican economy collapsed. When Congress refused, he used executive authority to provide US$20 billion in loans.
• Bush largely supported the continuation of the trade embargo with Cuba but Clinton was more active in altering US policy toward Cuba. Clinton allowed 20,000 refugees housed at Guantanamo Bay to enter the US; however he initiated the “wet-foot/dry foot” policy and, after two civilian aircraft were shot down by Cuba, he strengthened the embargo with the Helms-Burton Act.

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

Compare and contrast the factors that contributed to the democratization of two Latin American countries between 1980 and 2005.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans:

Candidates will give an account of the similarities and differences in the factors leading to the transition to democracy of two countries in the given period referring to both countries throughout. Candidates may, for example, choose to address the comparisons and contrasts in discrete groups, or they may choose to focus on individual arguments. In doing so, they may refer to both internal and external contributing factors. Candidates may refer to economic factors such as foreign debt, recession, unemployment and inflation. They might discuss the loss of legitimacy of authoritarian leaders due to economic failures, violation of human rights or foreign policy failures, which contributed to demands for democratization. Candidates might also refer to the influence of the Catholic Church, the ending of the Cold War and the role of trade unions and businesses. The factors that contributed to democratization and their relative importance will vary depending on the countries chosen.

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