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Date November 2021 Marks available 15 Reference code 21N.3op2.HL.TZ0.13
Level Higher level only Paper Paper 3 (History of the Americas) Time zone TZ0
Command term Discuss Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

Section 7: Nation-building and challenges (c1780–c1870)

“The outcome of the War of 1812 had a greater impact on the United States than on British North America.” Discuss.

Markscheme

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the outcome of the War of 1812 had a greater impact on the United States than it did on British North America. The impact may extend beyond the timeframe of the war, but it must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. The candidates may offer equal coverage of both the United States and British North America, or they may prioritize their discussion of one or the other. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the war being seen by the United States as a second war of independence. The Americans felt they won the war and this created a great sense of nationalism, unity and expansionism. For British North America, the war protected their homeland from US expansionism and resulted in increased nationalism, unity among the provinces and closer ties to Great Britain. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Examiners report

Only one weak response was recorded for the discussion of the statement: "The outcome of the War of 1812 had a greater impact on the United States than on British North America."

Syllabus sections

HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 2: History of the Americas » 7: Nation-building and challenges (c1780–c1870) » War of 1812: causes and impact on British North America and the United States
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 2: History of the Americas » 7: Nation-building and challenges (c1780–c1870)
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 2: History of the Americas
HL options: first exams 2017

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