Iraq's involvement in war had many consequences.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Thousands were killed in air raids.
2. [1] The Kurds were attacked with chemical weapons.
3. [1] The infrastructure in the cities was severely damaged.
4. [1] There were food shortages.
5. [1] There was a lack of medical care.
6. [1] Sanctions had a damaging impact on civilians.
7. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
8. [5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason (e.g. Saddam Hussein's regime survived the First Gulf War because the Americans thought that allowing him to stay in power was less dangerous for their own interests in the Middle East than removing him. They were concerned that if he was overthrown, then an Islamic Revolution might take place. If this happened the whole region could become very unstable.)
9. [1] The Americans thought he was a strong leader.
10. [1] The Americans were concerned there would be an Islamic Revolution if he were overthrown.
11. [1] Saddam Hussein strengthened his hold on Iraq in the face of defeat.
12. [1] He put down resistance from the Shi'ites and the Kurds.
13. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)
14. [9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
15. [6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides (More detailed explanation of one issue to be given two marks.)
16. [3] Oil was an important cause of the dispute between Iraq and Kuwait. Saddam Hussein was angry that Kuwait had increased its oil production as this meant the international price of oil had fallen. This meant Iraq was making less money from the sale of its own oil. Saddam also claimed that Kuwait was stealing oil from Iraq by ‘slant drilling' oil from the Rumaila oil field which was close to the border with Iraq. He claimed the value of this oil was over $2 billion. Therefore, oil was a major cause of the dispute.
17. [3] There were other causes of the dispute. Iraq claimed that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq and should never have been given independence. Until the end of the First World War, Kuwait was part of the province of Basra. After the war, Basra became part of Iraq while Kuwait was established as an independent country. Iraqi rulers, such as President Qassem in the 1960s, claimed Kuwait was part of Iraq. Saddam Hussein revived these claims.
18. [3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes (One mark for each point)
19. [1] Iraq owed huge debts to Kuwait from the Iran-Iraq War.
20. [1] Kuwait's oil production increased.
21. [1] Saddam accused Kuwait of stealing Iraq's oil.
22. [1] Iraq had a historical claim to Kuwait.
23. [1] Saddam's position in Iraq was insecure following the Iran-Iraq War.
24. [1] Saddam wanted to increase the power of Iraq by gaining access to the coast and Kuwait's oil fields.