Paper 2 Practice Questions (Session 2022)

Empire & the emergence of world powers, 1870–1919

Reasons for British Overseas Expansion in the Late Nineteenth Century

Explain why people in Britain supported overseas expansion in the late nineteenth century

The late nineteenth century saw a surge in British overseas expansion, driven by various factors:

Economic Interests

• Britain's industrial revolution had created a demand for raw materials and new markets for manufactured goods.

• The acquisition of colonies provided access to resources such as rubber, palm oil, and minerals.

• The colonies also provided captive markets for British goods, as well as opportunities for investment and trade.

Nationalism and Prestige

• The idea of the British Empire as a symbol of national pride and power was popularized by politicians, writers, and the media.

• The acquisition of colonies was seen as a way to expand British influence and prestige on the world stage.

Strategic Interests

• The British navy required coaling stations and bases to maintain its global dominance.

• The acquisition of colonies also provided strategic advantages in terms of defense and security.

Missionary and Humanitarian Motivations

• Many Britons believed that they had a moral duty to spread Christianity and Western civilization to "uncivilized" peoples.

• Humanitarian concerns, such as the abolition of slavery and the suppression of the slave trade, also played a role in justifying overseas expansion.

In conclusion, the reasons for British overseas expansion in the late nineteenth century were complex and multifaceted, encompassing economic, political, strategic, and ideological factors.

The United States and the Spanish-American War

‘The United States went to war with Spain in 1898 in support of the independence movement in Cuba.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

The United States went to war with Spain in 1898, which is often attributed to their support of the independence movement in Cuba. However, there were other factors that contributed to the decision to go to war.

Factors leading to the war

• Yellow journalism: Sensationalized news stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba, published by newspapers such as William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, helped to stir up public sentiment in favor of war.

• Economic interests: The United States had economic interests in Cuba, including sugar plantations and investments in railroads and mines. The war provided an opportunity to protect these interests and gain access to new markets.

• Naval power: The United States had been building up its naval power and saw the war as an opportunity to demonstrate its strength and expand its influence.

The role of the independence movement in Cuba

While the independence movement in Cuba was a factor in the decision to go to war, it was not the primary reason. The United States had been interested in Cuba for decades, and the independence movement provided a convenient pretext for intervention.

Indicative content

Whilst there had been a civil war in Cuba for several years with some support for the independence movement from the US there were also a lot of ulterior motives.

Agree

Civil war began in 1895 and Spain adopted extreme measures to try and crush the rebellion. McKinley described the tactics used as ‘not civil war but extermination’. Public sympathy was raised by the ‘yellow press’ which condemned Spain and agitated public opinion with dramatic reporting of Spanish atrocities. This led to growing public pressure for intervention to help the Cubans gain their independence in line with the founding principles of the US.

Disagree

There were other considerations in the US decision to go to war. It supported the underlying principles of the Monroe Doctrine. US government did not want war and tried to reach a negotiated settlement between the two sides. But when, despite repeated promises, Spain failed to make any progress towards reform, US patience ran out. Some US industrialists saw a growing role for US business in the Caribbean now that the occupation of territory in the West had been completed (closing of the Frontier). The trigger was the sinking of the US battleship Maine in Havana harbour which the US government blamed on the Spanish authorities and used as a ‘casus bellum’ though the cause of the incident has never been conclusively demonstrated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the United States did go to war with Spain in 1898 in part to support the independence movement in Cuba, there were other factors at play. The war was driven by a combination of economic interests, naval power, and sensationalized journalism.

The League of Nations and international relations in the 1920s

Poland's Problems in the 1920s as a Successor State

Explain why Poland, as a successor state, faced problems in the 1920s

Poland, as a successor state, faced numerous problems in the 1920s. Some of the reasons for these problems are:

• Territorial Disputes: Poland faced territorial disputes with its neighbors, particularly Germany and Soviet Russia. These disputes led to border conflicts and wars, which drained Poland's resources and weakened its economy.

• Economic Instability: Poland's economy was in shambles after World War I. The country faced hyperinflation, high unemployment, and a shortage of basic necessities. The government struggled to stabilize the economy, which led to social unrest and political instability.

• Political Instability: Poland's political system was fragile and unstable in the 1920s. The country had a weak government, which was unable to control the various political factions and interest groups. This led to frequent changes in government and a lack of continuity in policy-making.

• Ethnic and Religious Diversity: Poland was a diverse country with various ethnic and religious groups. The government struggled to maintain unity and harmony among these groups, which led to social tensions and conflicts.

• Lack of Infrastructure: Poland lacked basic infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and communication networks. This made it difficult for the government to govern effectively and for businesses to operate efficiently.

In conclusion, Poland faced numerous problems in the 1920s as a successor state. These problems were caused by territorial disputes, economic instability, political instability, ethnic and religious diversity, and a lack of infrastructure.

The League of Nations and international relations in the 1930s

Hitler: Long-Term Plans

To what extent was the outbreak of war in 1939 a result of Hitler’s long-term plans?

• Hitler's long-term plans were a significant factor in the outbreak of war in 1939 (WWII 1939-45)

  • Undo Treaty of Versailles

    • Rearmament

      • 1935: Hitler rearmed Germany, military conscription was introduced

    • Expand german territory/repossess land

      • Austria (Anschulls)

      • Sudetenland

        • September 1938

          British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain meets Hitler in Germany. Britain, France and Italy sign the Munich Agreement which gives the Sudetenland (German populated borderlands of Czechoslovakia), to Germany.

      • Poland

        • This annexation caused WWII

    • Restore dominant position

      • Withdrew germany from the league of nations in 1933

• Hitler's aggressive foreign policy aimed to expand Germany's territory and establish a dominant position in Europe.

• Hitler's rearmament program, which began in the 1930s, allowed Germany to build up its military strength and prepare for war.

• Hitler's annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland in 1938 demonstrated his willingness to use force to achieve his goals.

• Hitler's signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union in 1939 allowed him to avoid a two-front war and gave him the confidence to invade Poland.

• Hitler's belief in the superiority of the Aryan race and his desire to create a "New Order" in Europe also contributed to the outbreak of war.

• However, other factors such as the failure of appeasement, the weakness of the League of Nations, and the complex web of alliances and treaties also played a role in the outbreak of war.

World Disarmament Conference: Failure

Explain why the World Disarmament Conference ended in failure.

• The World Disarmament Conference was held in Geneva from 1932 to 1934, with the aim of reducing the military power of the major powers and preventing another world war.

• The conference failed to achieve its objectives due to several reasons:

  • Lack of commitment from major powers: The major powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, were not committed to disarmament and were more interested in maintaining their military power.

  • Disagreements over disarmament: The major powers could not agree on the terms of disarmament, with each country wanting to maintain some level of military power.

  • Rise of Nazi Germany: The rise of Nazi Germany and its rearmament program made other countries hesitant to disarm, as they feared Germany would become too powerful.

  • Economic concerns: Many countries were hesitant to disarm as they believed it would harm their economies, particularly during the Great Depression.

• The failure of the World Disarmament Conference was a significant factor in the lead up to World War II, as it demonstrated the inability of major powers to work together to prevent another war.