With reference to Africa and/or Asia, examine the impact of the Cold War on the success of two independence movements.

Candidates are required to consider the impact of the Cold War upon the development of independence movements in two states. These may be chosen from Asia alone, Africa alone or there may be one example from each continent. Responses may also consider other factors that led to independence in order to reach a judgment as to the impact of the Cold War.

Indicative content

• The appeal of the ideology of either the USSR or the US may have been important in providing the core belief of a nationalist movement. Communism may have appealed because of its antiimperialist ideology, leading to the rise of anti-colonialism and to calls for independence.
  The ideology of democracy may also have given support to calls for self-determination and independence.
• Support may have been given by either (or sometimes both) superpower in the form of financial and/or military aid and so assisted in eventual victory.
• The success of independence movements in neighbouring states may have facilitated the spreading of ideology and, on a more practical level, financial assistance or shelter for guerrilla movements as well as access to resources.
• Independence movements may have resulted in armed struggle that, in turn, became proxy conflicts with superpower support that was maintained until independence was achieved.

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]