“Opposition to industrialization was limited.” Discuss with reference to two countries, each from a different region.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that opposition to industrialization in two countries was limited. The two countries must be from different regions. Candidates may offer equal coverage of both countries, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. However, both countries will be a feature of the response. Candidates should identify the nature of opposition to industrialization and its extent. Candidates may refer to the growth in opposition as a result of, for example, changes in the composition of the workforce, declining working conditions, impact on urban centres or environmental concerns. Candidates may also comment on the growth or decline in opposition as a result of, for example, the introduction of legal reforms to safeguard workers, the changes in role and status of women, state support of industrialization, as well as growing local and global pressure to protect the environment. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the differences in the regions and periods of industrialization and their impact on the extent of opposition. 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 opposition to industrialization was limited in two countries, each chosen from a different region. There were a few responses seen to this question. For the most part, detailed knowledge was limited with candidates resorting to rather general comments and rather poorly supported assertions demonstrating little understanding of the demands of the question. In some cases, the term "opposition" was interpreted by candidates as referring to political opposition or opposition from enemy states during wartime.