“Political change was the most significant short-term effect of war.” Discuss with reference to two wars.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that political change was the most significant short-term effect of two wars that may or may not be chosen from the same region. Candidates may agree with the statement by discussing the October Revolution as a short-term effect of the First World War. The political change brought about by the victors of the Spanish and Chinese civil wars may be discussed. A discussion of the political change brought about in Argentina after its defeat in the Malvinas/Falklands War would be appropriate. Links may be made between the Second World War, French colonies and the policy decisions made at the Brazzaville Conference of 1944. Candidates may challenge the statement by arguing that such short-term effects as economic crises or population transfer were of greater significance than political change. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that political change was the most significant short-term effect of two wars that may or may not be chosen from the same region. There were some responses seen to this question, with the two World Wars (in different regions) being the most popular examples chosen. Better responses dealt quite well with the concept of "political change", with the shift from autocracies to republics after the First World War, and the ideological changes, including decolonisation, which followed the Second World War, being discussed.