“Gaining independence improved the economy.” With reference to either the US or one Latin American country, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the statement. The response may take any position with respect to the question. Factors which may be employed to determine the level of improvement may involve trade and investment, increases in territory, acquisition of resources and population, elimination of mercantilist restrictions on producers and merchants and the elimination of taxes from the mother country. On the other hand, it may be argued that independence led to the loss of access to the wealthier colonial power and other colonies in its empire, which may have made trade difficult for the independent country. It might also have brought additional costs such as defence and protection that had formerly been assumed by the colonial power, as well as led to conflicts with neighbouring states as the newly independent state was no longer protected by the colonial power.