Discuss the importance of social and economic factors in the rise of one independence movement, up to the point of independence.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of social and economic factors to the rise of one independence movement up to point of independence. Reference may be made to the importance of economic factors such as the demand for greater control over income derived from the sale of natural resources such as oil; the demand for greater equal opportunities for employment and promotion; or reforms to unfair taxation. For social factors, candidates may consider the importance of the demand for religious equality; a recognition of linguistic or cultural identity; reforms to allow greater access to secondary and higher education; or the impact that the spread of nationalism had as a popular ideology. Examples may include independence movements in the former European or Japanese overseas empires or those that emerged within the Austrian or Russian Empires. Candidates must discuss the relative importance of social and economic factors upon the rise of the chosen independence movements. Candidates’ opinions and conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of social and economic factors to the rise of one independence movement up to point of independence. This was quite a popular question and candidates were able to discuss some relevant factors, although most responses seen focused on political rather than economic or social factors with significant events being narrated.