Evaluate the role of war as a cause for the rise of two independence movements, each from a different region.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the role of war as a cause of the rise of two independence movements, weighing up the importance or otherwise. The two independence movements must be from different regions. The war or wars may predate the timeframe but must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of each independence movement, or they may prioritize their evaluation of one of them. However, both independence movements will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the role of war in the colonial government and/or weakening the metropolitan power, for example, the relationship between the Spanish war against Napoleon and the Spanish–American independence movement. Other factors may be addressed, for example, the discontent with the colonial rule. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the role of war as a cause of the rise of two independence movements, each chosen from a different region. A few responses were seen although, for the most part, these were rather disappointing. Weaker responses tended to focus on wars fought to achieve independence rather than war as a cause of the rise of independence movements and so demonstrated only limited understanding of the demands of the question.