In the second half of the nineteenth century imperialism took many different forms.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] When the war finished, the US announced that it would rule Cuba.
2. [1] 1899 - US military government set up.
3. [1] Cubans surprised and disappointed by US actions.
4. [1] Elections for delegates to a Cuban convention (most sponsored by the US).
5. [1] The Platt Amendment – US would depart if US kept military bases and could intervene when it wanted.
6. [1] Republic of Cuba established.
7. [1] 1902 - elections held and first president of Republic of Cuba chosen.
8. [1] US army left in 1902.
9. [1] 1906 - US occupied Cuba after a rebellion.
10. [6] (Level 4) This war broke out because of the sinking of the USS Maine. This was a US battleship that was in Havana harbour. It had been sent to protect US citizens and property. US newspapers claimed that the Spanish blew up the battleship and this put a lot of pressure on US President McKinley to go to war against Spain.
11. [5] (Level 3) This war broke out because of the sinking of the USS Maine. US newspapers claimed that the Spanish blew up the battleship and this put a lot of pressure on US President McKinley to go to war against Spain.
12. [1] (Level 2) Spain's repressive behaviour towards Cubans.
13. [1] (Level 2) Reporting of Spanish repression in US newspapers.
14. [1] (Level 2) Cuban struggle for independence.
15. [1] (Level 2) Popular demand for US intervention.
16. [1] (Level 2) The sinking of the USS Maine.
17. [1] (Level 2) US demanded withdrawal of Spanish troops from Cuba.
18. [1] (Level 1) The war did not last long. It was all over in a few months and was very one-sided. The US got what it wanted from the war.
19. [10] (Level 5) Although Leopold treated the Congo in a similar way that European countries treated their territories in terms of exploiting the natural resources, they were not similar overall. Leopold's motives were simply to make a fortune, strip everything he could from the Congo and put nothing back. Other countries, although they regarded themselves as superior to Africans, did think they had a duty to put something back and provided education and medical care for Africans. Leopold's attitude was fundamentally different.
20. [6] (Level 3) Leopold owned the Congo Free State as a private individual. His treatment of the Africans was terrible. They worked for him producing rubber, but if they did not produce their quota they were mutilated or murdered. Leopold just sucked the Congo dry by taking ivory and rubber and by putting nothing back. Millions of Congolese were killed or mutilated. His rule was not typical of European imperialism at the time. Not all imperialism was about exploitation. Some Europeans had good motives: for example, missionaries and others who set up hospitals for Africans as well as schools which started to bring education to Africa. They also brought industry to Africa which sometimes improved the standard of living of Africans as well as introducing things such as banking.
21. [6] (Level 3) Leopold's rule was typical in some ways. He exploited the Congo and made a fortune by taking ivory and rubber. Other European countries also took Africa's natural resources to make themselves rich. They took raw materials from Africa very cheaply and then exported the finished products at expensive prices. In fact, Europe made a fortune out of the natural resources of Africa just like Leopold did.
22. [1] (Level 2) Both exploited Africa.
23. [1] (Level 2) Both regarded Africans as inferior.
24. [1] (Level 2) Both thought they had a right to take over parts of Africa.
25. [1] (Level 2) Both wanted to make money out of Africa.
26. [1] (Level 2) Leopold put nothing back; other Europeans did.
27. [1] (Level 2) Other Europeans felt a duty towards Africans.
28. [1] (Level 2) Other Europeans spread Christianity.
29. [1] (Level 2) Other Europeans built transport systems and schools.
30. [1] (Level 1) Leopold's treatment of the Africans in the Congo was terrible. It caused an international outcry. He was not typical of European countries and how they ruled their land in Africa.