Compare and contrast the long-term causes of two wars.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the long-term causes of two wars referring to both throughout. There does not need to be an equal number of each. The two wars may or may not be chosen from the same region. Causes may predate or extend beyond the timeframe, but must be clearly linked to twentieth century war. It should be noted that different theatres of war in either the First World War or the Second World War may not be considered as two separate wars. Even so, both world wars will be popular choices and candidates may compare and contrast factors such as nationalism, expansionist policies and ideologies that may have caused one or both wars. Other relevant examples would be the Korean War with long-term causes dating back to the end of the Second World War or the Algerian War of Independence with long-term causes dating back beyond the First World War. A comparison of the long-term causes of the Spanish Civil War or the Chinese Civil War would also be appropriate.

The question required that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the long-term causes of two wars, referring to both throughout. This was a popular question with most candidates comparing and contrasting the long-term causes of the First and Second World War. Mostly, good knowledge was demonstrated with an appropriate structure that made relevant links between common causes such as lingering resentment over lost territory and the desire to acquire more, as well as the effective use of nationalism to prepare populations for armed conflict. Contrasts, meanwhile, included factors such as the build-up of the armed forces preceding the First World War but limitations on this imposed on both Germany and Japan before the Second World War. Some responses compared the long-term causes of the Second World War in Europe and the Pacific, despite it being clearly indicated in the History Guide that these may not be considered as two different wars. It must also be noted that the Cold War continues to appear as an example of a war, even though it is not appropriate.