Evaluate the significance of individuals to the origins of industrialization in two countries.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the significance of individuals to the origins of industrialization, weighing up their importance or otherwise. The two countries may or may not be from the same region. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the number of individuals appraised from each country or they may vary the number selected. Additionally, the period of industrialization discussed from each country may not be contemporaneous. Candidates may appraise the significance of scientists in contributing to new discoveries and theories, for example James Watt; business owners such as Matthew Boulton or Henry Ford; or entrepreneurs such as Richard Arkwright, who facilitated industrialization. Responses may appraise the significance of key political figures in enabling industrialization for example Mao attempting industrialization in the Great Leap Forward. Other individuals appraised could include those who moved, emigrated or otherwise transmitted their ideas to another country and therefore contributed to its industrialization, for example John Dickson’s role in bringing the steam engine to Australia. Candidates’ opinions and conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the significance of individuals to the origins of industrialization in two countries, weighing up their importance or otherwise. There were a few responses seen to this question but, for the most part, these consisted of rather general comments with only limited reference to either individuals or the origins of industrialization in the chosen examples.