In the nineteenth century European countries were active in Africa, China and India.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] e.g. 'They believed that Western encroachment in China should be stopped.'
2. [1-4] 'They thought that they were not vulnerable against their enemies.'
3. [1-4] 'They thought that millions of soldiers would come down from heaven to help them in their struggle against foreigners.'
4. [1-4] 'They thought the work of Christian missionaries was wrong.'
5. [1-4] 'The Boxers believed problems facing China like famine and low standards of living were caused by foreigners.'
6. [4-5] e.g. 'The Congo was important because it gave Leopold an enormous personal fortune. The Congo had ivory and rubber that he could make money from. There was a great global demand for rubber and so it fetched high prices. Leopold exploited the local people for their labour to obtain the rubber. They were beaten and mutilated and millions were killed. He made his fortune from all this. As he personally owned the Congo, all the wealth belonged to him and not to Belgium.'
7. [2-3] e.g. 'It was important to him because it was to make him rich.'
8. [2-3] 'He thought that colonies could make a country great.'
9. [2-3] 'It was important to him because of its ivory and rubber.'
10. [4-6] e.g. 'As far as Indians were concerned the mutiny achieved little. The mutineers were defeated and the British carried out terrible revenge with many being killed. The harsh punishments were generally welcomed in Britain where stories of the excesses of the mutineers had scandalised the public. Britain also tightened its hold on India. The percentage of soldiers that were British went up and many of the Indian regiments were disbanded. The aims of the mutineers were completely forgotten and the Mughal dynasty was ended.'
11. [4-6] OR 'There were some reforms. Control of India was taken away from the East India Company and put under the British government. A new government office was set up – the India Office. Moves away from the policies of the EIC were made. Attempts at Westernisation were stopped and there was more religious toleration. More Indians were allowed into the Indian Civil Service creating a new Indian middle class. There was also more respect paid to local traditions and the wishes of local Indian leaders with local government given more powers.'
12. [2-3] e.g. 'The mutineers were harshly punished.'
13. [2-3] 'Any nationalist hopes were killed by the ending of the Mughal dynasty.'
14. [2-3] 'India was placed under the British government and so there was even less chance of an independent India.'
15. [2-3] 'The mutiny was thoroughly defeated.'
16. [2-3] 'The East India Company lost control of India.'
17. [2-3] 'More Indians were appointed to the Indian Civil Service.'
18. [2-3] 'There were fewer attempts at westernisation.'
19. [2-3] 'Local traditions and religions were given more respect.'