A_LEVEL history _QUESTIONS-p2

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A LEVEL HISTORY QUESTIONS

ZIMBABWEAN HISTORY -PAPER ONE

SOURCES OF HISTORY

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Justify the use of multi-disciplinary approach in the recovery of'Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial
past

. Assess the validity that of the assertion that archeology is‘theonly source of historical

evidence for the Late Stone Age & Early Iron Age periods in’Zimbabwe

Assess the contribution of oral tradition ; archeology & written documents towards the
recovery of Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history

How far can archeology alone demonstrate, the economic organization of G.Z

Why is it important to use different sources when study»Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history?
Evaluate the contribution of rock art.in assisting historians\to recover Zimbabwe’s pre-
colonial history before 1450

Assess the contributions madeby rock artito ourunderstanding of late Stone age
societies.

. Critically evaluate source used by social & economic historians in the practice of their

craft.

. Examine the importance of rock art
10.

How far can archeology alone demonstrate the economic organization of early Iron age
societies in Zimbabwe?

. Discuss the assertion that. Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial past be collected by reference to only

one source.

With allits demerits; oral tradition remains the key to unlocking the pre-colonial history
of Zimbabwe. Do youagree?

Why should oral tradition continue to be used to reconstruct the history of pre-colonial
history of Zimbabwe despite its weakness?

Discuss the,contributions by oral traditions archeology & written sources in the recovery
of Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial past

STONE AGE QUESTIONS

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How did hunting and gathering influence the lives of later Stone age societies?
To what extent did the San way of life reflect sustainable living with environment
The San are an integral part of Zimbabwe’s precolonial past and present. Discuss

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. “Forest was the life blood of the San society”, Discuss

. Although the San were backward politically economically and socially, they were
progressive in some respect. Justify or refute this assertion

. The San are the fore fathers of modem civilization. How valid is this verdict?

. “The forest was the only source for the hunter gatherers in livelihood” Do you agree?

TRON AGE QUESTIONS

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. What evidence is found at Ziwa to demonstrate that they practiced agriculture

. Assess the changes that took place in early Zimbawean society as a result of the
introduction of Iron age.

. How did farming revolutionaries societies in Zimbabwe?

In what ways did the use of iron transform the economic,& social bases of early societies

in pre-colonial Zimbabwe

Discuss the value of iron technology to pre-colonial people

What were the difference & similarities on theway life of the late stone age & early iron

age people?

Discuss the extent to which the early iron age Zimbabwe societies were technologically

advance.

Discuss the extent to which the iron age changed lives of people in pre-colonial

Zimbabwe.

How effective were the methods used to mine and to process gold during the iron age

period?

To what extent did iron technology lead to the formation of classes during the Iron Age

period?

Assess the impact of iron age technology in Zimbabwean societies.

How far can archeology demonstrate the economic organization of early iron age society

in Zimbabwe -

Examine the impact/of the use of iron on the economic activities of the early iron age

Shona communities.

Assess the:major changes brought about by the introduction of iron in Zimbabwe during

the. early and later iron age.

Critically analyze the diffussionist and migrationist theories in the movement of the

Bantu people

The impact of long distance trade to the iron age states has often been grossly

exaggerated. Discuss

GREAT ZIMBABWE QUESTIONS

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Sir Sin

. How far true is it that trade was only responsible for the rise and growth of the state
centered at Great Zimbabwe

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39. “No trade, no great Zimbabwe” how relevant is the statement to the rise of great
Zimbabwe.

40. “Historical evidence on the origin and construction of great Zimbabwe has been

deliberately distorted” how accurate is the assertion?

41. To what extent are the factors responsible for the rise of great Zimbabwe the same factor
that account for its decline.

. Discuss the controversies relating to the origins of great Zimbabwe

. Gold and cattle were the main sources of wealth in the economy of great Zimbabwe.

. “The great Zimbabwe was built by the Shona for defense purpose”, Discuss

. Discuss the purpose for which the stone walls of G.Z were built?

. Great Zimbabwe did not decline, but was abandoned. How valid is thisjassertion on the
collapse of Great Zimbabwe?

47. “Ecological factors were solely responsible for the collapse of,Great Zimbabwe” Is this

true?

48. What evidence is there at Great Zimbabwe which prove that the people\practiced trade?

49. “The Shona were not the actual builders of Great Zimbabwe”, Discuss

50. “An incarnation of Mapungubwe”’, Is this verdict true on the existence of Great

Zimbabwe
51. “Gold and cattle were the pillars of Great Zimbabwe economy”, Discuss
52. To what extent did the royal family leadjto the collapsesof Great Zimbabwe?

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MUTAPA STATE QUESTIONS

53. “The Portuguese were not entirely responsible for the decline of the Mutapa state, they
merely sounded the death knell to‘astate on the decline’ Justify or refute the statement
with reference'to,the relation between the Mutapa state & Portuguese in the 17"
centuries.

54. Assess the role of the Portuguese in the demise of the Mutapa state

59. Discus the nature and impact of long distance trade on the local economies of the various
shona groups living.in-Zimbabwe from the 16to 18century

56. “The impact of the Mfecane on the Shona has been exaggerated” do you agree?

57. To what extent did the Mutapa depend on trade for its survival?

58. The Prazo_system in Zambezi valley has sometimes be described as “an Africanization of
a European institution” Do you agree?

59. “The decline of the Mutapa state was a result of varied and complex factors,the advent of
the Portuguese on the scene nearly accelerated the process of decay already underway” H
How valid is this argument?

60. To what extent did external factors led to decline of the Mutapa state?

61. Assess the role of external trade in the politics of the Mutapa state in the 16" and 17"
century.

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Account the origins and subsequent expansion of the Mutapa state.

Discuss the nature and effects of the relations between the Portuguese and Mutapa state
during 16" and 17" Century

“Mukombwe was a political demagogue” Discuss.

Critically analyse the significance of Mavhura Mhande to the Mutapa state.

Assess the validity of the assertion at the Mutapa relied on agriculture & cattle as bases of
its economy

‘The activities of the Portuguese in Mutapa state were more destructive than constructive’
Discuss.

. Was the decline of Mutapa state in the 17"century due to internal conflicts?
69.

How accurate is the view that the Mutapa state entirely depended on trade for its
survival?
How far was the incompetent leadership responsible for the decline of Mutapa?

ROZVI STATE QUESTIONS

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“There is no state without origins, but to,race that of the Rozvi is to open a Pandora box
of confusion”, Discuss the validity of this assertion

Analyse the rise of Changamire dynasty on the Zimbabwean plateau

Assess the impact of the Nguni incursion. on the Rozviy state.

‘The power & glory of theRozvimambos between & 1830 has been grossly exaggerated’
Do ou agree?

Assess the impact of the Nguni incursion on the Rozvi state?

Discus the view that ; ‘trade & religion were solely responsible for the rise & expansion
of the Rozvi state’

Did political — military & social factors matters anything to the Rozvi state

Assess the contributiomof economic factors to survival of the Mutapa state

To what extent wasythe decline of the Rozvi state caused by ‘Nguni incursion’?

“The Nguni incursions found a weak and tottering Rozvi state on the verge of decline”,
How justified is this view on the downfall of Rozvi state?

. Examine the role played by trade & religion in the Rozvi state.
82.

How did Rozvi state contribute to the decline of Portuguese activities in the Zmbezi
valley?

NDEBELE STATE QUESTIONS

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‘The Ndebele shona relations in the 19" century were far from cordial’, Discuss
How accurate is the assertion that the economy of the Ndebele did not solely depend on
raiding

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85. ‘A typical example of a cultural conquest of the conqueror by the vanquished’ Is this a
fair assessment of Ndebele adoption of the karanga\ shonaMwari cult

86. How far true is the assertion that the Ndebele people relied on raiding alone for their

livelihood

87. ‘Essentially a raiding economy’ how valid is this statement of Ndebele economic way of

life

88. Critically analyse the political — military & socio-economic organization of the ndebele
state

89. How important were the careers of Mzilikazi& Lobengula in the survival of the Ndebele

tate

90. ‘A curse as well as a blessing ‘ Is this a living assesement of the presence of whites in the

Ndebele state

91. Critically evaluate methods used by Mzilikazi& late Lobengula to control Ndebele state [

92. Critically evaluate Mzilikazi & Lobengula’s leading of the Ndebele state

93. How important were political —millitary& social factors in the Ndebele state

94. Trace the Ndebele origin and migration to the present day Zimbabwe & the importance

of such migration

95. Trace & explain the origins & subsequent migration of the.Ndebele up to their entry into
Zimbabwe

96. How accurate is the view thatthe 19" century’ Ndebele=Shona relations were largely
hostile?

97. How valid is the perspective that the Shona-Ndebele relation during the pre-colonical
period were perpetually hostile

98. ‘It has often been argued that ‘ the Ndebele —shona relations in the 19" century were far
from cordial’ Discuss.

99. ‘The shona-ndebele relations in the 19" century were characterized by peaceful co-
existence’ Do you agree?

100. Assess the various methods used by Mzilikazi and Lobengula to control Ndebele
state

MISSIONERY ACTIVITIES AND THE COLONISATION OF ZIMBABWE

101. ‘The occupation of Zimbabwe by the British was unavoidable & the treaties
&concession only facilitated the process. Discuss

102. “An unfair treaty and a fraudulent process”, How justified is this view of the
Rudd Concession of 1888

103. “Missionary activities did more harm than good in Zimbabwe”, Do you agree?

104. “The flag followed the cross”, Does this fully explain the colonization of
Zimbabwe?

105. Why were the missionaries less successful in Mashonaland than Matebeleland?

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106. Critically analyse the challenges faced by missionaries in Zimbabwe during the 19"
Century

107. Critically examine the claim that Lobengula was also to blame for the occupation
of his state by Britain

108. Lobengula tried to accommodate Europeans but the Ndebele state was too
inflexible to do so. Discuss the validity of this assertion

109. Explain the motive behind Rhodes colonization of Zimbabwe and examine the
role played by his agents in facilitating the colonization of the countrys

110. “The principle of “effective occupation “adopted by Europeans power at the
Berlin conference [1884-85] and not of the Rudd Conscession [1888] made the
occupation of Zimbabwe inevitable” Do u agree?

111. Did Africans benefit from the activities of hunters’and traders in Zimbabwe?
112. Critically analyze Lobengula’s reaction after signing the Rudd Concession

113. How important was the royal charter in the colonization of Zimbabwe?

114. Analyse the problems faced by Rhodes in.trying to colonise Zimbabwe between

1887 and 1890 and how he managed to solve them

ANGLO-NDEBELE WAR AND CHIMURENGA QUESTIONS

115, Analyse the factors whichdedsto the 1*ChimurengaUmvukela 1896-97 & explain
why the Shona resistance lasted longer than that ofitheyNdebele

116. Exmaine roles played by the religion.in the 1896

117, To what extent is the Victoria incident proof that the British were aggressive?

118. How far did loss at Mbebezi battle lead to the final defeat of the Ndebeles in
1894?

119. Did the Matopos Indaba of¢1896 benefit the Ndebele?

120. Critically,examine the causes of the Ango-Ndebele wr of 1893.Which group was
to blame for the outbreak of the war

121, Examinevroles played by religion in the 1896 revolts

122, Why did the shona not go to war against the whites before 1896

123. ‘The period of the 1890; colonial Zimbabwe was a period of

accumulation & speculation ‘How relevate is the statement to 1890s in colonial
Zimbabwe

124. Give the cause of Umvikela 1 in Matebeleland& Mashonaland

125. Why did the Shona not go to war against the whites before 1896

126. Discuss the reason why Africans were defeated in the 1896 revolts & results of
the 1Chimurenga.How important was the role played bya spirit mediums

127. Analyze the causes of the 1**Chimurenga.How important is the role play by spirit
mediums

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128. ‘the Ndebele defeated in 1896 Chimurenga /Umvukela was inevitable’, How valid
is this assertion

129. Comment on the views that the Victoria incident of 1893 was simply used as an
excuse by the BSAC to destroy the Ndebele state

130. To what extent did the Victoria incident of 1893 lead to the outbreak of the
Anglo-Ndebele war of 1893?

131. Assess the developments from 1890 up to 1893 which inevitably led to the A nglo-
Ndebele war.

COLONIAL ADMINSTRATION AND FEDERATION QUESTIONS

132. In what ways was southern Rhodesia responsible for the break up of the central
Africa Federation

133. How effective was chibharo to the development of Rhodesia?

134. Analyse the work of the African Indigenous churches in Rhodesia during the
1930s

135, Why was peasant agriculture successful in colonial Zimbabwe up to 1908?

136. Examine the work done by the Industrial Commercial Workers union in
emancipating workers in the 1920s and 1930s

137, How far did the federationof Rhodesia & Nyasaland achieved its objectives by
1963

138. In what ways & to what extent did Southern Rhodesia benefit from the
establishment of the federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland

139. Assess the achievements & explain the collapse of the Federation of Rhodesia &
Nyasaland in 1963

140. Assess the post second world,war argument put forward by the settlers for the
estabilishment of, the federation.W hy had this scheme collapsed by 1963

141, What reasons were advanced inform of the establishment of the federation of
Rhodesian & Nyasaland & why did it collapse in 1963

142, Assess the economic achievements by the federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland
between 1953 &1963

143. Why was the federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland formed

144. Discuss the achievement of the federal government from 1953 to 1963

145. Why/were A fricans unhappy with Federation

146. How valid is the assertion that souther Rhodesia domination the federation was
partly respounsible for its collapse

147. How did A fricans in the three territories registered for its collapse

148. How did A fricans in the three territories registered their displeasure against the

federal government & what were the results

LIBERATION STRUGGLE QUESTIONS

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149, ‘The wind of change is blowing through Africans’ Justify this statement with
reference to African political activities in southern Rhodesia during the 1950s& 1960s

150. Why did the armed struggle take so long in bringing Rhodesian white minority
rule to an end

151. How accurate is it to describe nationalist activities in Zimbabwe between 1920 &
1965 as ‘an urban phenomenon’

152. How & why did the Ian smith regime survive for such a long time

153. Without the support of the peasant the guerillas would not have won the
Zimbabwe liberation war .’Assess the validity of this assertion

154. Why did the nationalist resort to the armed struggle & why did it'take them so
long to attain independence

155. What measure were put in place by smith to derait nationalist war efforts & why
did the guerillas emerge victorious inspite of these efforts

156. Why did the war in Rhodisea too long to come to,an end

157. Discuss the main events of Zimbabwe’s2"™'Chimurenga

158. Critically analyse the role played by the cityleague.The.A frican National
Congress the National Democratic party&Zapu in the struggle against colonialism

159. The 1966-1967 battles were on it of bravery.It was)so near yet to far for the

guerillas their leaders.’ Discuss the'1966& 1967 battles & the lessons learnt by the
guerillas therefor leaders & the effectiveness ofitheradopted methods

160. What roles were played by, the civilian population during Zimbabwe liberation
struggle

161. ‘ The masses were a linch pin during the liberation struggle smith knew how vital
the povo were to the guerillas. To torriorise the masses was to win the war’. What
methods were used by the colonialgovernment Southern Rhodesia to discourage the war
effort

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HISTORY QUESTIONS

FRENCH REVOLUTION

1. Which contributed more to the crisis of 1789 ; an incompetent king, ambitious nobility or
poor harvests?

2. “The main feature of the ancient regime in France was the existence of a highly stratified
society”, Discuss

3. “Poor harvests were the root cause of the revolution”,How valid is this claim on the
outbreak of the French revolution in 1789?

4, “A revolt against the ancient system of government”, How justified is this view of the
outbreak of the revolution in France?

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5. “The French revolution was caused more by errors of commission rather than errors of
omission”, Justify this assertion.

6. “There was little he could have done to avert the coming of the revolution”, Is this
statement too lenient on Louis X VI and his contributions to the outbreak of the French
revolution?

7. “If Louis XVI had married another wife, the situation in France could have been
different”, Is this verdict justifiable on the contributions of the Queen to the outbreak of
the French revolution?

8. Who were the real revolutionaries of 1789 in France?

9. To what extent did the foreign policy of France between 1774 and 1789 create a breeding
ground of a revolution?

10. “The ideas of great thinkers were essential in hatching a revolution in Franeejin 1789”, Is
this true?

11. ’Unheralded”, How justified is this view on the outbreak of the French revolution?

12. “Unavoidable”, To what extent is this true of the outbreak of the French revolution in
1789?

13. To what extent did the French revolution erupt froma social angle?

14. The revolution of 1789 in France can-only be explained inypolitical term. Discuss

15. A bourgeoisie-aristocratic battle. Is this a fair assessment of the outbreak of a revolution
in 1789 in France?

16. “The influence of great thinkers was the most important cause of the French revolution”,
Critically examine this assertion.

17. Why was Louis XVI not able to satisfy the grievances of discontented groups between
1789 and 1793?

18. Which of the grievances of the ThirdEstate in France of 1789 were the most important?

19. Why did Louis\XVI convene the Estates general meeting? Why did it not solve his
problems?

20. Why did the financial problems of France worsen under Louis XVI?

21. How farwas financial crisis to blame for the outbreak of the French revolution of 1789?

22.“A protest.against the king’s failure to implement reforms”, Consider this view of the
outbreak of the French revolution of 1789.

23. “The revolution of 1789 in France was against a government which was tyrannical,
inefficient and insensitive to the needs of the people”, Do you agree?

24. Why did the long standing problems of France become more acute in 1789?

25. To what extent was the aristocratic revolt of 1788 responsible for the occurrence of the
French revolution of 1789?

26. Analyse the view that the revolutionary reforms in France of 1789 between 1789 and
1799 was only meant to benefit the middle class.

27. Critically analyze the role played by Sans Cullotes during the French revolution

28. “Louis XVI was the architect and executor of his own demise in 1793”, Is this true?

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29. How far was the influence of philosophers apparent in the aims and policies of the French
revolutionary leaders between 1789 and 1793?

30. How important was the influence of Parisian clubs in the French revolution?

31. In what ways, and for what reasons, did the aims of the revolutionaries change between
1789 and 1793 in France.

32. Why and with what consequences did the rest of Europe react to events in France
between 1789 and 1794?

33. Why and with what results did the French revolution become progressively radical
between 1789 and 1793?

34, “A turning point in the history of the French revolution”, Discuss this view of the
consequences for France of the king’s attempted flight to Varennes.

35. Why did France go to war in 1792?

36. “From the fall of the Bastille to the execution of Louis’ XVI, the resistance to the
revolution within France was as dangerous as the threatsymade by.external forces”, How
true is this claim and how successful did the leaders of the revolution deal with each of
these dangers?

37. How serious a challenge was the kings position to progressive reform in France between
1789 and 1793?

38. Explain the nature and extent of opposition to Louis XVI IN 1789.

39. How and with what rsultd did the Civil constitutiomof the clergy constitute a turning
point in the support base of the revolutionaries?

40. How far and by what means were the ideas of the/liberty, equality and fraternity achieved

by 1789?

41. Why were the revolutionary governments between 1789 and 1799 so shot-lived?

42. How serious were threats to the French*revolution were presented by its enemies, both

external and internal between 1789 and 1799?

43. Which groups suffered;and which groups benefited from the French revolution between

1789 and 1799?

44. ‘The fear that France wanted to export its revolution was unjustified”, Discuss this view

of French foreign policy from 1789 to 1799?

45.\Was terror in 1793-really necessary?

46. “A tragedy to the revolution”, How justified is this view of the 1792 war on France?

47. “Terror wasecessary to inspire virtue”, Discuss the validity of this assertion with

reference to 1793-1794.

48. “A revolution under siege. No Robespiere, no revolution”, Discuss.

49. “A country cracking from outside pressure and disintegrated from internal stain”, Was
this justified to warranty the reign of terror in 1793 France?

50. Which did more to secure the survival of the revolution in France; Jacobin regime or
Directory?

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Which government achieved more during the French revolution; Constituent assembly or
Convention?

The Directory government committed political suicide. How accurate is this view of the
downfall of the Directory in 1799?

How accurate is it that the Directory government added nothing to the French revolution?
“A government without any achievements”, Is this true of the Directory government?
“The successes of the Directory government far outweighed its failures”, Discuss.

Why, by 1799, had the Directory government fail to sustain the moderate government
which had come to power in 1789?

Discuss the validity of the claim that the Directory government marked the end of the
revolution in France.

Assess the importance of Robespiere to the French revolution.

What can be learnt from the Directory government about the achievements and problems
of the French revolution?

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

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How far was Napoleon Bonaparte an oppressive ruler in his)domestic policies?

Did the domestic policies of Napoleomhave any more important purpose than to sustain
his own autocracy?

To what extent did Napoleon Bonaparte enjoy. support within France between 1799 and
1815?

To what extent did Napoleon Bonaparte’s domestic policies have enormous popular
appeal

How far did\Napoleon Bonaparte maintain the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity?
What did France gain and what did she lose as a result of Napoleon Bonaparte’s domestic
policies?

“A-consolidator rather than an innovator”, Does Napoleon I deserve such an epitaph?
“A later day benevolent despot”, Is this a fair assessment of Napoleon 1’s domestic
policies in France?

“A soldier’s hatred of disorder”, How far was this the guiding principle of Napoleon’s
rule in France?

“The greatest achievement of Napoleon I was a reform of the French law”, Examine this
view with reference to the Code Napoleon.

“A son of the revolution”, How accurate is this view of Napoleon I’s domestic policies?
To what extent did Napoleon construct a new order by borrowing from both the ancient
regime and the revolution?

Napoleon I brought order at the expense of liberty. Discuss

“T shut down the chasm of anarchy and brought orderliness out of chaos”, How befitting
is this brag by Napoleon in his domestic policies?

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. “An egocentric despot”, How justified is this view of Napoleon I’s policies in France
between 1800 and 1815

“A replica of the ancient Bourbon monarchy”, Is this true of the reign of Napoleon in
France?

To what extent did the reign of Napoleon I mark the end of the revolution?

Why was Napoleon able to become an Emperor in 1804?

Why did the policies of Napoleon in France change from 1804 onwards?

“Napoleon was not a great general but a lucky one”, Discuss

“Tt was more of his character than the weakness of Directory which brought him to
power”, how valid is this assessment on the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte?

To what extent did the Italian and Egyptian campaigns lead to the riselof, Napoleon
Bonaparte?

“Without the French revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte would have died a common man”,
Discuss.

“A short term schemer and an impractical long¢erm dreamer’, Is this ajsatisfactory
assertiom of Napoleon I and his rule in Europe?

. Napoleon’s foreign policies had nothingo offer France. Discuss

l'o what extent was 1807 the zenith of Napoleon’s career?

Why and with what success was Napoleon I able to exercise his dominance over
European powers between 1802 and 18d?

. To what extent did war determine.the outcome of the foreign policies of Napoleon I?
. “Borodino was the first step to Waterloo”, Discuss

. Assess the relative contributions of Austria and Prussia to the defeat of Napoleon
Bonaparte.

“Tt was more of his mistakes that the,strength of his enemies which brought his demise’,
How justified isthis view of the collapse of Napoleon?

“Napoleon Bonaparte’s,downfall was caused by his insatiable desire to defeat Britain”,
Discuss

Why did.it take so long for European allies to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte?
“Offensive.and not defensive”, Does this fully explain the Napoleonic wars between
1802 and 1815?

“My policy is France before all”, Did Napoleon Bonaparte do enough in his foreign
policies to justify this claim?

“Napoleon Bonaparte’s downfall was inevitable”, Discuss.

“The methods used to construct the empire were one of the major reasons for its
downfall”, How justified is this view of the collapse of the Napoleonic empire?

“The Spanish ulcer has destroyed me”, Justify this assertion with reference to the collapse
of Napoleonic empire
. To what extent can Napoleon’s successes abroad be attributed to his military abilities?

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99. “I shut down the chasm of anarchy and brought orderliness out of chaos”, How befitting
is this brag by Napoleon in his foreign policies?

100. Assess the contributions of Britain to the collapse of the Napoleonic empire.
101. To what extent can the collapse of the Napoleonic empire be attributed to his
incessant warfare?

VIENNA SETTLEMENT AND THE CONGRES SYSTEM.

102. Was the Vienna settlement the best settlement that was possible?

103. To what extent did the Vienna settlement undermine the forces of nationalism and
liberalism?

104. “A shameful example of selfish interests”, How justified is this of the congress of
Vienna of 1814-1815

105. Which best explain the Vienna Congress of 1814-1815; fear, greed or
compromise?

106. “Great power politics rather than principle dominated the Vienna settlement”
Justify or refute this claim?

107. “The statesmen at Vienna were mere dealers in a diplomatic market, battering the
happiness of millions with a scented smile”, Discuss.

108. “A triumph of the old order”, Discuss this view on/the outcome of the Vienna
Congress of 1815.

109. “Reactionary and not conservative’ Is this a satisfactory judgement of the Vienna
Settlement?

110. “On balance, the success of the Congress of Vienna far outweighed its failures”,
Discuss this verdict

111. How and with what success;tos!830, did the Congress of Vienna seek to achieve a
balance of power.in Europe?

112. To what extentwas the Vienna Settlement an instrument used by the strong to
oppress the weak?

113, How much attention did the Congress of Vienna pay to the principle of
nationality?

114, “The settlement reached at Vienna was dominated by the fear of further French
aggression”, Discuss

115, Whose interests were best served in Europe between 1815 and 1825?

116. “The collapse of the Congress system was unavoidable”, Discuss.

117. Why did the Congress system last no more than 10 years?

118. The Congress system was doomed from the start. Discuss

119. Assess the contributions of Britain to the collapse of the Congress system.

120. How far true is it that in the reorganization of Europe the Congress of Vienna

attempted to return to the conditions of pre-1789 period?

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121. Discuss the view that the Congress system between 1815 and 1825 showed that
the relations between major powers were characterized more by distrust than common
aim

122. “A period of change and reaction”, How valid is this view on the period 1815-
1825 in Europe

123. Can the years between 1815 and 1830 be described as the period of triumphant
conservatism?

124. “The Congress system failed because its leaders were terrified of a revolution”,
Discuss

125. “There was nothing systematic about the congress system”, Discus

126. “There was nothing like the congress system, the term was-a creation by

historians for expediency’s sake”, Discuss.

BOURBON MONARCHY

127, “They had learnt nothing and forgottenmothing”, How justified is this view of the
restored Bourbon monarchy in France.

128. “Louis XVIII tried to resist the ultras, while Charles X embraced them”, Is this a
satisfactory argument on the initial success and ultimate failure of the Bourbon monarchy
between 1814 and 1830?

129. “The constitutional charter of 1814 was'central/to the survival or collapse of the
Bourbon monarchy”, Howsaccurate is this view in light of the reign of Louis XVIII and
Charles X?

130. Why did Charles X fail to retain the throne beyond 1830?

131. How far did the alienation of middle class contribute to the demise of the Bourbon
monarchy in 1830?

132. To whatiextent were ultra-royalists responsible for the downfall of the Bourbon
monarchy?

133. “New wine in old bottles”, Does this fully explain the reign of Louis XVII and
Charles X?

134. Compare and contrast the reign of Louis X VIII and Charles X.

UNIFICATION OF GERMANY AND ITAY

135. Why were the 1848 revolutions ultimately unsuccessful in both Italy and
Germany?

136. “Ttalia-fara-da-se”, Why did this prove untrue by 1848?

137. Why were the monarchists more successful than the republicans in unifying Italy?

138. “The unification of Italy was through improvisation rather than calculation”,
Discuss the validity of this assertion?

139. “With or without Cavour, the unification of Italy would have been possible”,
Discuss

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140. Why did Piedmont become the focul point of Italian unification?

141. Assess the contributions of European powers to the unification of Italy

142. What were the lessons learnt from the 1848 revolutions in Italy?

143. The unification of Germany was through coal and iron rather than blood and
iron.Discuss

144. Assess the contributions of the Zollvereign to the unification of Germany

145, “The great issues of the day will not be decided by speeches and resolutions but

by blood and iron”, How relevant is this assertion to the events which unfolded in
Germany between 1862 and 1871?

146. “A shrewd opportunist”, Is this a satisfactory argument_on Bismarck’s policies
between 1862 and 1871?

147, “Bismarck tried to Prussianize Germany rather than to Germanize it”)Discuss.

148. Bismarck used war to promote unification rather than unification to promote war.
How valid is this assertion?

149, “A good chase player”, Is this the appropriate compliment to give Bismarck with
reference to his policies between 1862 and 1871?

150. “Unheralded”, How justified is this assertion omthe unification of Germany?

151. Why did Prussia and not Austria unify Germany im1871?

152. How clear was it, before Bismarck’s assumption of office that Germany would be
unified by Prussia?

153. His only concern was the‘glory of his state”,.Is this a fair assessment of Cavour?

154. “Mazzini’s contributions to the Italian unification has been overstated”, Discuss.

155. “A statesman knows his general direction but not his exact path”, Consider

Bismarck’s policies between 1862 and 1871 in light of this judgement.

FIRST WORLD WAR

156. Was KaisepWilliam II a war monger?

157, “The causes of the First World War lay in the Balkans”, Discuss.

158, Whyrdid the First World War not occur in 1912 or before?

159. “Germany had a clear programme of territorial expansion which made war
inevitable”, How far can this view account for the reasons why the war occurred in 1914?

160. “Thé arms race was mainly responsible for the outbreak of the 1S‘ World War”,
Discuss,

161. How accurate is the view that imperialism was the root cause of the 1** World
War?

162. “Weak allies accelerated German’s defeat in the First World War’, Discuss.

163. “A watershed in the Great War of 1914-1918”, How justified is this view of

U.S.A entry in the 1 World War?

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164. To what extent did Germany’s Weltipolitik policy lead to the outbreak of the 1%
World War?

165. Colonial rivalry was solely responsible for the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.
Discuss.

166. “The defeat of Germany in 1918 was unavoidable”, Discuss.

PARIS PEACE SETTELEMENT

167. Did the treaty at Versailles have any more aims than to reward'the victors and
punish the aggressors

168. Was the treaty of Versailles dominated by the spirit of revenge?

169. “The peace treaties signed between 1919 and 1923 were neither just nor wise”,
Discuss

170. How valid is the view that the settlement at Versailles was a compromise between
British and French views?

171, Did the treaty at Vienna fundamentally-weaken the Weimar republic?

172. “Victory for Vengeance”, How valid is this assertion onthe Versailles treaty?

173. To what extent were the ideas ofW oodrow Wilson pursued at the signing of the
Versailles treaty?

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