The First Gulf War was damaging for Iraq.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] The relationship between the US and Iraq was positive because of the Iran-Iraq War.
3. [1] The US supplied arms, intelligence and finance during the war.
4. [1] The US received oil supplies.
5. [1] Saddam Hussein wanted the US to remain neutral.
6. [1] In July 1990 Saddam summoned the US Ambassador to a meeting in Baghdad.
7. [1] President Bush did not want sanctions to be placed on Iraq but Congress was in favour of this.
8. [1] The US sent conflicting signals to Iraq.
9. [1] April Glaspie (US Ambassador) gave Saddam the impression the US was not interested in what Iraq did regarding Kuwait.
10. [1] The US did not take Saddam's threats against Kuwait seriously.
11. [1] Saddam thought the US would not oppose his invasion of Kuwait.
12. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
13. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
14. [4] Saddam Hussein was annoyed that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had increased their oil production. This brought down the price of oil and this had a huge impact on the economy of Iraq. Oil revenues fell by $89 billion. Saddam asked these countries to reduce their oil output to OPEC quota levels but they refused.
15. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
16. [1] Oil was a valuable resource.
17. [1] Oil prices were falling.
18. [1] Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were producing more oil.
19. [1] Iraq's oil revenues fell.
20. [1] Iraq was already in deep debt and this made things worse.
21. [1] Saddam accused Kuwait of slant drilling.
22. [1] Kuwait refused to cancel Iraq's debt.
23. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
24. [1] Countries wanted oil.
25. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
26. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
27. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
28. [4] Iraqi civilians were the main casualties of the war. Up to 100 000 civilians and over 20 000 troops were killed. As well as a high death toll, people suffered shortages because of the war and there was a lack of food, clean drinking water and medical supplies.
29. [4] One important consequence of the war was that the US became more involved in the Middle East and used bases in Saudi Arabia to enforce no-fly zones. These stopped Saddam from carrying out attacks on opponents in the southern and northern parts of Iraq. Although Saddam brutally put down revolts against him and managed to retain his power, he was under much closer scrutiny from the US and it was clear there could be further foreign intervention in Iraq.
30. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND / OR describes
31. [1] Civilians suffered from food shortages.
32. [1] There was a lack of clean water.
33. [1] There were many civilian casualties during the war.
34. [1] Revolts against Saddam were put down harshly.
35. [1] Saddam retained power.
36. [1] The US maintained an interest in the region.
37. [1] The infrastructure of Iraq was severely damaged.
38. [1] Saddam's forces were driven out of Kuwait.
39. [1] Sanctions were placed against Iraq.
40. [1] The army was heavily defeated.
41. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
42. [1] The Iraqi population suffered during the war.