“The economic cost of the wars of independence had a significant impact on society.” Discuss with reference to two societies.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the economic cost of the wars of independence had a significant impact on society. Candidates may support the statement by considering the amount of resources allocated for military campaigns, which exhausted the limited resources of the new states and forced them to go into debt. During the battles, many resources (goods, lands, ports, etc.) were destroyed while the number of casualties reduced the available workforce. The campaigns also dislocated traditional commercial channels, leaving the new states without the benefits of trade or the supply of necessary products. To challenge the statement, candidates may argue that the wars allowed the new states to gain new territories with valuable resources. They also helped to reshape the countries’ frontiers, allowing governments to apply better economic management. The period of battles also served to establish relationships with other European countries, like Great Britain and France, which became new partners in lucrative business. The period of war also allowed for the expropriation of belongings and properties that were in the hands of Spanish and English families, growing the treasury of the new states. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the economic cost of the wars of independence had a significant impact on society. Responses missed the demands of the question and focused on the causes of the American Revolution.