Examine the role of economic factors in causing two wars, each chosen from a different region.

Candidates should focus primarily on economic causes of wars, which could have taken a number of forms. In the course of examining economic causes, candidates may make a judgment on the seriousness of economic issues, or they may consider these in relation to other causes.

Indicative content

• Countries may have engaged in wars in order to retain or obtain resources and/or territory vital to the national interest.
• A country may have been in economic difficulty and war was a way of diverting attention from domestic problems.
• Adverse economic circumstances could have contributed to the emergence of aggressive and/or expansionist leaders.
• In the case of civil wars, sections of the population may have been suffering economically.

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.

[20 marks]