“Imperial expansion in Africa and Asia had a significant impact on European diplomacy.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Imperial expansion in Africa and Asia had a significant impact on European diplomacy. To support the statement candidates may argue that disputes arising from imperial expansion did have a clear effect on European diplomacy, e.g. Jameson Raid, Kruger Telegram, Fashoda and the two Moroccan crises. The creation and development of the Entente Cordiale could be linked to these events. Candidates may challenge the statement and argue that imperial expansion in Africa and Asia had little or no impact on European diplomacy. Instead, they could stress the importance of events in Europe, especially the Balkans in the years up until 1914 in influencing European diplomacy. In addition, there were long-running tensions between France and Germany that impacted European diplomacy. 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 imperial expansion in Africa and Asia had a significant impact on European diplomacy. There were some good responses to this question with detailed knowledge. However, weaker responses tended to generalisations about imperialism with little specific detail.