Paper 2 Mark Scheme

Nov 2010

2. Analyse the causes of either the Spanish Civil War (19361939) or the
Falklands/Malvinas War (1982).

Whichever conflict is selected, better answers will consider the multi-causal nature of the
war. A thematic approach would be a suitable approach for this type of question. The
identification of causes should be accompanied however by an analysis of such causes. This
means a level of critical commentary should be present in relation to the causes identified.
For Spain, reference could be made to: the social and economic divisions which affected
Spanish society in the early twentieth century and which were reflected in a political system
heavily skewed in favour of vested interests pre-1931; the polarization of political life (1931
1936) as legislation challenging the established order was at first resented then
repealed/resisted; the growth of political extremism of Left and Right mirroring not only
events in Spain but divisions in Europe; the role of the army in Spains political life, the role
and use of religion as an excuse for a Crusade against Godless anticlericalists; etc.

May 2010 (TZ1)

2. Analyse the reasons for, and the results of, either the Spanish Civil War (19361939)
or the Chinese Civil War (19461949).

The question requires candidates to identify and make critical commentary on both
causation and consequences of either war.
Reasons could include reference to the problems (political, economic, religious, and social)
of the existing regime and the polarization of the population.
Results could include reference to the physical impact of the war, the outcome and reasons
for that outcome, the nature of the new regime, i.e. the changes which occurred (political,
economic, religious, social, etc.).

May 2010 (TZ2)

1. Analyse the principal causes of either the Algerian War (19541962) or the Spanish
Civil War (19361939).

This question requires that candidates produce an analysis which focuses clearly on the
important causes of either war. A simple narration of events will not be well rewarded.
The principal causes of the Algerian war may include: a desire for self-rule, which began
after the First World War and was encouraged by the Fourteen Points of Woodrow Wilson;
the poor economic and political conditions in which most Algerians lived they had little
land, were often unemployed, 75% were illiterate and had virtually no political rights; power
was in the hands of European immigrants to Algeria who controlled the economy and
political system and reacted violently to any suggestion of change in the system; religious
factors played a role as the Algerian population was mostly Muslim while the Europeans
were primarily Christians; the French failed to keep a promise that they had made during the
Second World War to give Algeria independence; the severe repression by the French of all
Algerian protest movements after the Second World War when militants formed the MNA
party and the FLN.
The principal causes of the Spanish Civil War may include: the increasingly bitter reforms
between the left-wing and right-wing in Spanish politics and society; Spain became a
Republic and reforms alienated traditional supporters of the monarchy, the Church and the
army; the seizure of Church property and the separation of the Church and state produced
bitterness in traditional sectors of society; proposals to redistribute large estates alienated
landowners and business men; revolts and strikes against the government met with violent
suppression; Catalonia became semi-autonomous which led to fears about the break-up of
Spain; the 1936 elections were won by the Popular Front whose policies brought
considerable opposition from the right and this led to a revolt by a faction of the Army. The
government opposed the attempted coup and civil war resulted.

May 2009 (TZ2)

4. To what extent did foreign involvement affect the outcome of either the Spanish
Civil War, or the Vietnam War?

For the Spanish Civil War candidates need to assess to what extent the foreign powers
aiding the Nationalists, that is mainly Germany and Italy, were responsible for victory, and to
what extent those aiding the Republican side, such as the Soviet Union, and communists
and left wing supporters, e.g. in the International Brigade, were responsible for its failure.
Another area to consider is non-intervention. To what extent also invites candidates to
consider the strengths and weaknesses of the nationalists and Republicans (economically,
military and politically).

Nov 2008

1. Analyse the causes of one of the following: the Spanish Civil War (19361939); the
Arab-Israeli wars (1948/9 and 1956); the Nigerian Civil War (19671970).

Whichever war is chosen, a thematic approach is more likely to produce a better response.
Depending upon the example selected candidates could identify reasons for the divisions
within the state such as ideological differences; regionalism / separatist tendencies; ethnic,
religious and economic causes (land ownership, inequitable division and allocation of
resources, etc.) The resistance of vested interests to change could also be considered a
factor, for example in the case of Spain: the Catholic Church; the landed gentry and the
military. The Arab-Israeli wars of 1948/9 and 1956 could be seen (in the longer term) as a
result of vacillating Mandate policies practised by Britain, as a product of rival nationalisms
(Zionism and Palestinian nationalism), as wars influenced and prolonged by outside
intervention, and also as a result of mutual security fears concerning the strategic borders of
the new Israeli state and the future of Palestinians affected by the refugee exodus from
1948/9 which provided the basis for Fedayeen activity in the period after 1948. There is
much to consider, but responses need to go beyond descriptive narratives of the wars
themselves and concentrate on the issues of causation.

May 2007

2. Examine the impact of foreign intervention on either the Chinese Civil War or the
Spanish Civil War.

Foreign intervention could cover causes, course and results of the chosen civil war. As no
dates are given, candidates can either use the long-term civil war in China 1927 to 1949, or
concentrate on the period 1946 to 1949. Mao and the CCP received some assistance from
communist supporters, but their main strength was their own people, whereas the
Kuomintang or KMT/GMD was aided by the USA (which had tried to mediate between the
two sides), and lost support because of this foreign element. The role played by Japan in the
period up to 1945 could also be examined and commented upon. Both sides in the Spanish
Civil War received foreign help, but the German and Italian support for Franco and the
Nationalists was more useful than the Soviet, socialist and anarchist support given to the
Republicans.

Nov 2006

4. Compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of
the following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Korean War.

Motives for foreign involvement and the effect of such involvement are the chief areas for
examination. The response does not require a narrative coverage of the chosen wars.
For reasons: issues such as ideology, war by proxy, strategy, economic gain, enforcement of
collective security etc. could be considered and compared/contrasted.
For impact: consideration could be given to issues such as the way in which involvement
prolonged the war, the nature/level of destruction, the extent to which external involvement
proved decisive in shaping the outcome of the conflict.

May 2006

4. Analyse the causes of either the Spanish Civil War or the Korean War.

The Spanish Civil War (1936-9) was caused by various political, social, economic and
religious problems: the failure of the monarchy, and of Republican attempts to govern;
separatism and the wish of various parts (Catalonia and the Basque Districts) for greater
autonomy; antagonism between left and right; the gap between the aristocracy and the
peasants; lack of economic development and modernisation; the Catholic Church which was
powerful, but resented and
regarded as backward by many. Details and examples of the above should be given and
analysed, as well as the actual outbreak, with the rising of the Spanish army in Morocco
under Franco, which spread to the mainland, under Mola.

The Korean War (1950-3) could be said to be a war between communists and non-
communists, and also a civil war between the two parts of Korea. Korea was partitioned at
the 38th parallel, in 1945. The Soviets dominated the North and the US the South. Separate
governments were established in 1948. A series of border clashes took place and the North
invaded the South. An appeal was made to the UN, and member states were asked to
provide troops. A force (consisting of members from 15 states was collected), drove the
invaders back to the Chinese border. China then entered the war to support the communist
north.
Whichever war is chosen, analysis of at least some of the above must be made.

Nov 2005

4. Compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of
the following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Chinese Civil War.
Each war offers the opportunity to identify motives, nature and extent of outside intervention
in civil wars and to assess the extent of such involvement in deciding the outcome whether
the war was won or lost due to the level of support provided for one side as opposed to the
lack of support (financial/military) provided to the other or whether other factors may be
considered as being instrumental in achieving victory for example, internal unity of one
side, superior military forces, economic advantages, strategic/geographical advantages.
Reasons for foreign involvement areas for comparisons/contrasts could include,
depending on the wars chosen ideology (i.e. providing support for rival domestic factions);
economic benefits to be gained in event of victory of one particular side;
geopolitical/strategic benefits for the future.
Impact of foreign involvement could include consideration of: extent of damage caused;
effect on the duration of the conflict; economic costs as a result of foreign involvement;
significance of contribution of outside aid to eventual victory/defeat of one side.

May 2005

2. Examine the impact of foreign intervention on either the Chinese Civil War or the
Spanish Civil War.

Foreign intervention could be concerned with causes, course and results of the chosen civil
war. As no dates are given, candidates can either use the long term civil war in China, or
concentrate on the period 1946 to 1949. Mao and the CCP received some assistance from
communist supporters, but their main strength was their own people, whereas the
Kuomintang or KMT/GMD was aided by the USA (which had tried to mediate between the
two sides), and lost support because of this foreign element.
Both sides in the Spanish Civil War received foreign help, but the German and Italian
support for Franco and the Nationalists was more useful than the communist, socialist,
anarchist etc. support given to the Republicans.