4.

(a) Explain how ideological difference is a reason for outbreak of conflict

between countries to protect national interests.
[5]
Levels Descriptors
L1
Talks about conflict between countries without any focus on
the question
L2
Describes ideological differences
Award the higher mark in the level for more fully developed
answers.

L3

Ideological differences can cause conflicts among countries. For

instance, North Korea and South Korea fought a war because
they believed in different ideologies. North Korea believed in
Communism while South Korea believed in Democracy. Korea
was divided into two halves at the 38th Parallel, where the
northern part of Korea was temporarily occupied by the USSR
and the southern part of Korea by the USA. The UN s call for
elections in 1947 was refused by USSR which installed a
communist regime in the north. North Korea invaded South Korea
in 1950 to unite the Korean Peninsula. The USA, its allies and the
UN had defended South Korea to prevent the spread of
communism. Eventually, an agreement was signed by all parties
in August 1953 to stop the fighting and a demilitarized zone was
created between North and South Korea.
Explains how a difference in ideology is a reason for conflict
between countries.
Award the higher mark in the level for more fully developed
answers.
Ideological differences can cause conflicts among countries. For
instance, North Korea and South Korea fought a war because
they believed in different ideologies. North Korea believed in
Communism while South Korea believed in Democracy. Korea
was divided into two halves at the 38th Parallel, where the
northern part of Korea was temporarily occupied by the USSR
and the southern part of Korea by the USA. The UN s call for
elections in 1947 was refused by USSR which installed a
communist regime in the north. North Korea invaded South Korea
in 1950 to unite the Korean Peninsula. This resulted in the USA,
its allies and the UN defending South Korea to prevent the spread
of communism. Eventually, an agreement was signed by all
parties in August 1953 to stop the fighting and a demilitarized
zone was created between North and South Korea.
Different countries have different values and beliefs.
Countries pursuing different ideologies can come into
conflict if they feel that their ideological beliefs are being
threatened. Thus, ideological differences between countries
can lead to tension and conflict when one countrys belief
system and way of life is threatened by another country.

Marks
1
2-3

4-5

(b) Explain two other reasons for outbreak of conflict between countries to protect
national interests, and which you think is more significant? Explain your answer.
[10]
Levels Descriptors
Marks
L1
Talks about conflict between countries without any focus on 1-2
the question
Award 1 mark for identifying one factor and 2 marks for identifying
another factor.
L2
Describes two other reasons for conflict between countries
3-4
(except ideological differences)
Award 3 marks for describing one factor and an additional mark
for describing another factor.
Conflict over border is another reason why countries have
disagreements. For example, when India gained its independence
from Britain in 1947 and inherited the frontier drawn by the British,
China protested that it had not agreed to the frontier. This
complicated things as it was difficult to have a clear border
between India and China because much of their frontier lies in the
inaccessible Himalayas. As such, this two border regions became
areas of conflict between India and China. These border regions
were the Aksai Chin plateau on the western end of the IndianChina frontier and the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) on the
eastern end of the Indian-China frontier near Burma. Therefore
this led to conflict between China and India.
OR
Countries also have conflicts over scarce resources. For instance,
Iceland and Britain were in conflict over fishing grounds during the
1970s. As Iceland has few natural resources, they depended on
the fishing industry for its survival. Thus when fishermen from
other European countries such as Belgium, Germany and Britain
were overfishing around Iceland, Iceland felt that its national
interest was threatened as fish stocks around Iceland decreased.
Thus, Iceland extended its zone of control over fishing ground
from 50 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles beyond its shore,
which led to Britains disapproval and thus Iceland cut its
diplomatic ties with Britain in February 1976.
L3

Explains one reason for conflict between countries.

Award 5 marks for an explanation of one other factor and an
additional mark for supporting detail.
Conflict over border is another reason why countries have
disagreements. For example, when India gained its independence
from Britain in 1947 and inherited the frontier drawn by the British,
China protested that it had not agreed to the frontier. This
complicated things as it was difficult to have a clear border
between India and China because much of their frontier lies in the
inaccessible Himalayas. As such, this two border regions became
areas of conflict between India and China. These border regions
were the Aksai Chin plateau on the western end of the IndianChina frontier and the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) on the

5-6

eastern end of the Indian-China frontier near Burma. Therefore

conflicts over borders can lead to conflicts among countries
as control over certain tracts of land can mean a lot to a
country especially if the land is important to its defence. In
addition exercising control over a tract of land also impacts
national pride and sovereignty. This would then lead to
tension between the countries which eventually may lead to
a conflict.
AND

L4

L5

Countries also have conflicts over scarce resources. For instance,

Iceland and Britain were in conflict over fishing grounds during the
1970s. As Iceland has few natural resources, they depended on
the fishing industry for its survival. Thus when fishermen from
other European countries such as Belgium, Germany and Britain
were overfishing around Iceland, Iceland felt that its national
interest was threatened as fish stocks around Iceland decreased.
Thus, Iceland extended its zone of control over fishing ground
from 50 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles beyond its shore,
which led to Britains disapproval and thus Iceland cut its
diplomatic ties with Britain in February 1976.
Thus countries have conflicts over scarce resources is that some
have more natural resources such as land, water, oil and fish,
while others have less. As such, those countries with fewer
resources might resort to force to gain more, especially when
these resources are necessary and economic growth. Hence
conflicts can arise between countries over scarce resources
when a countrys national interest is at stake. Tension may
arise between countries when they compete for resources as
their economic survival is at stake, thus conflict over scarce
resources will result in conflict among countries.
Both aspects of L3
7-8
Award 7 marks for an explanation of a second factor and an
additional mark for any supporting detail.
L4 + Relative Importance
9-10
Award the higher mark in the level for more fully developed
answers.
Conflicts over territories are more significant than conflict over
scarce resources as territories are a symbol of a countrys
national pride and sovereignty. The ability to exercise control over
territory is also a reflection of its power and most countries are not
willing to compromise on it. In addition control over territories at
times also means access to vital natural resources which could
determine its economic well-being. On the other hand although
scarce resources are also important, by and large they only
impact the economy of the country in question. Most countries
also do not rely on a few specific resources for their economic
survival. Hence conflicts over territories are more significant than
conflicts over scarce resources.