2021 HKDSE History Answers & Marking Scheme

According to Source A, the three main difficulties faced by Hong Kong in the early 1950s are:
1. The massive influx of immigrants which placed a severe strain on public infrastructure and social services, specifically water supply, housing, and sanitary services.
2. The implementation of the United Nations trade embargo on China, which dealt a devastating blow to Hong Kong's traditional mainstay economy, the entrepot trade.
3. The economic crisis that forced Hong Kong to urgently find alternative pathways for survival, prompting a structural shift towards local industrial development.

Award 1 mark for each valid difficulty identified from the source, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
- Strain on public resources/social services (water, housing, sanitation) due to immigrant influx. (1 mark)
- Collapse/crippling of the traditional entrepot trade due to the UN embargo. (1 mark)
- The pressure/challenge of having to rapidly restructure the economy towards local industrial development. (1 mark)

According to Source B, the three obstacles to late Qing modernization are:
1. The outdated imperial examination system, which tested students on bagu essays that held no practical value for contemporary foreign policy or scientific development.
2. Direct political obstruction from conservative officials, who actively vetoed crucial modern infrastructure and resource projects like railway construction and mining.
3. The strong cultural and intellectual resistance rooted in traditional beliefs, such as feng shui and blind adherence to ancestral traditions, which prevented the adoption of modern reforms.

Award 1 mark for each valid obstacle identified and explained from the source, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
- Outdated exams/education (bagu essays) failing to provide practical modern knowledge. (1 mark)
- Conservative officials' political opposition blocking infrastructure/economic development (railroads, mines). (1 mark)
- Cultural/ideological barriers (feng shui, ancestral ways) resisting administrative and technical reforms. (1 mark)

According to Source C, the three objectives of the Hong Kong government in establishing District Boards are:
1. To enhance citizen involvement by providing more channels and opportunities for the public to participate in managing local district affairs.
2. To improve governance and communication by bridging the gap between government departments and the grass-roots residents, ensuring local issues and grievances are voiced directly.
3. To build social cohesion by cultivating a stronger sense of belonging among the general public, especially those who felt disconnected from government policy-making.

Award 1 mark for each valid objective identified from the source, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
- Increasing opportunities for public/citizen participation in local affairs. (1 mark)
- Bridging the communication gap between the government and local residents / hearing grievances directly. (1 mark)
- Fostering a stronger sense of belonging among citizens. (1 mark)

According to Source D, the three reasons why the German newspaper criticized the Treaty of Versailles are:
1. The treaty was perceived as an act of vengeance imposed by the Allies ('dictate of revenge') rather than a fair and just settlement.
2. The treaty imposed harsh territorial and moral penalties, specifically stripping Germany of all its overseas colonies and forcing the nation to assume sole responsibility for starting the war (the war guilt clause).
3. The treaty demanded exorbitant ('astronomical') financial reparations that would devastate Germany's economic recovery, which the author warned would generate long-term resentment instead of fostering European peace.

Award 1 mark for each valid reason identified from the source, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
- The treaty is considered a dictate of revenge/vengeful rather than a peace of justice. (1 mark)
- Germany was stripped of her overseas colonies and forced to accept total war guilt. (1 mark)
- The treaty imposed astronomical reparations that threatened to destroy Germany's economy / planted seeds of future hatred. (1 mark)

To score full marks, candidates need to draw two valid inferences and support each with a relevant clue from the source.
- One inference: The availability of a hardworking labor force was crucial. Clue: The text mentions the 'hard-working refugee workforce'.
- Second inference: Strong business leadership and entrepreneurship drove development. Clue: The text credits 'Hong Kong's entrepreneurs'.
- Alternatively, candidates may infer that the industry was highly export-oriented, supported by the clue 'exporting goods to Europe and North America'.

Marking criteria:
- Max 2 marks for stating two valid inferences (1 mark each).
- Max 2 marks for citing two relevant clues from the source (1 mark each).
Note: No marks will be awarded for clues without a valid corresponding inference.

Candidates must identify two distinct aspects of the Qing court's attitude:
- Inference 1: Pragmatic openness to Western learning and institutional reforms. Clue: The court stated that 'Western science, military training, and administrative organization must be studied'.
- Inference 2: Retaining traditional Confucian values as the unshakeable foundation. Clue: The court insisted that 'fundamental principles of morality and Confucian values must remain unchanged'.

Marking criteria:
- 1 mark for each valid inference (max 2 marks).
- 1 mark for each matching clue from the source (max 2 marks).
Note: Direct copying of the source without explanations/inferences will not yield full marks.

Candidates should explain two inferences based on the source:
- Inference 1: Reform and opening up are existential necessities for China. Clue: Deng warns that without reform, China will 'find ourselves in a dead-end street'.
- Inference 2: The model of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is effective and validated. Clue: Deng asserts that 'The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has developed very rapidly' and its success proves the policy is 'completely correct'.

Marking criteria:
- Max 2 marks for two valid inferences (1 mark each).
- Max 2 marks for two supporting clues from the source (1 mark each).

Candidates need to analyze the psychological and physical security concerns of France:
- Inference 1: France felt uniquely vulnerable compared to other Allies and demanded absolute physical security. Clue: Clemenceau contrasts France's position ('directly next to Germany') with America ('protected by the ocean') and Britain ('has her fleet').
- Inference 2: France's goal was to suppress German power to avoid another invasion. Clue: 'Germany must be made unable to strike again'.

Marking criteria:
- 1 mark for each valid inference (max 2 marks).
- 1 mark for each matching clue from the source (max 2 marks).
Note: Answers must clearly connect the geographical or military context of France to its diplomatic aims.

To evaluate this statement, candidates must compare and weigh external assistance against local initiatives. Arguments for the importance of external assistance include: 1. The influx of mainland Chinese entrepreneurs (especially from Shanghai) who brought capital, textile machinery, and industrial expertise after 1949. 2. A vast supply of refugee labor from the mainland providing cheap and diligent manpower. 3. Preferential tariff treatments under the British Commonwealth Preference System and subsequent access to US and European markets. Arguments for the importance of local initiatives include: 1. The Hong Kong government's policy of 'positive non-interventionism' which kept taxes low, minimal regulations, and a free-port status that attracted investment. 2. Government construction of industrial estates (e.g., Kwun Tong) and public housing (providing cheap housing near factories). 3. The establishment of trade promotion bodies like the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) to find overseas buyers. Candidates should conclude that external resources provided the necessary spark and market, but local governance and adaptive local strategies provided the stable environment and infrastructure that allowed the industries to flourish.

L3 (6-8 marks): Demostrates a clear understanding of the DSE essay structure. Formulates a balanced and well-argued stance, analyzing both external factors (refugee capital/skills, Western trade terms) and local factors (laissez-faire, public housing, Kwun Tong industrial zone, TDC). Supports claims with solid, specific historical evidence. L2 (3-5 marks): Provides a general discussion, but may be one-sided (focusing only on external or only on local factors) or lack deep analysis and detailed historical facts. L1 (1-2 marks): Gives a superficial answer with minimal historical support or irrelevant information.

Arguments for a significant degree of democratisation: 1. Introduction of District Boards (1981) and direct elections at the local level (1982), which allowed ordinary citizens to participate in local governance. 2. The 1984 White Paper on Representative Government introduced indirect elections to the Legislative Council (LegCo) in 1985 through functional constituencies and electoral colleges, ending the historic era of an entirely appointed legislature. Arguments for a limited degree of democratisation (the counter-argument): 1. The executive branch remained completely dominant; the Governor was still appointed by London and held supreme executive and legislative veto power. 2. LegCo's reforms were highly restrictive; functional constituencies favored business and professional elites rather than the general public. 3. Direct elections to LegCo were postposed to 1991, despite strong local demands for their introduction in 1988, showing the British administration's caution and sensitivity to Beijing's pressure.

L3 (6-8 marks): Formulates a clear, balanced stance on 'to what extent'. Provides a comprehensive comparison between democratic progress (District Boards, LegCo indirect elections) and ongoing colonial limitations (executive-led system, appointed Governor, postponed direct elections). Uses precise historical dates and terminology. L2 (3-5 marks): Discussion is unbalanced or lacks depth. May focus excessively on either the progress or the limitations, with general or vague historical references. L1 (1-2 marks): Superficial understanding of the 1980s reforms; lacks structured argumentation or historical facts.

Arguments supporting that it was a failure to a large extent: 1. The primary military objective failed; the Beiyang Fleet, though modern on paper, was completely destroyed in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). 2. Institutional/Political failure: The Qing dynasty refused to reform its corrupt autocratic system. The core ideology was 'Chinese learning for substance, Western learning for utility' (Zhongti Xiyong), which resisted constitutional changes. 3. Pervasive corruption and nepotism hindered the efficiency of government-supervised, merchant-managed enterprises. Arguments supporting that it was a failure to a limited extent (achievements): 1. Industrial breakthrough: Established China's first modern arsenals (Jiangnan Shipyard, Fuzhou Navy Yard) and civilian heavy industries (China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company, Hanyang Ironworks). 2. Infrastructural modernization: Introduced telegraph lines, modern postal services, and early railways. 3. Educational modernization: Established the Tongwen Guan for translation and foreign languages, and sent the first batch of Chinese educational envoys/students to the USA and Europe.

L3 (6-8 marks): Clear stance reflecting 'to what extent'. Shows profound knowledge of the Self-Strengthening Movement. Well-balanced analysis of military/political shortcomings (defeat in 1895, ideological rigidity) versus economic/infrastructural achievements (arsenals, shipping, communication, educational missions). L2 (3-5 marks): One-sided presentation of either total failure or success. Lacks rich historical evidence or clear conceptualization. L1 (1-2 marks): Brief, simplistic, or inaccurate description of the movement.

Arguments for success (mainly in the 1920s): 1. Successfully resolved several minor territorial disputes, such as the Aaland Islands dispute between Sweden and Finland (1921), and the border conflict between Greece and Bulgaria (1925). 2. Successfully managed refugee resettlement, combated diseases through its Health Organisation, and curbed drug and human trafficking. Arguments for failure (mainly in the 1930s): 1. Complete inability to halt aggression by major powers, starting with the Manchurian Crisis (1931) where Japan ignored League directives and withdrew from the League. 2. The Abyssinian Crisis (1935) proved that the League's economic sanctions were ineffective due to Britain and France's appeasement policies (Hoare-Laval Pact). 3. The League could not prevent German rearmament, the Anschluss with Austria, or the annexation of Czechoslovakia, rendering it completely obsolete by the outbreak of WWII in 1939. Structural weaknesses like the lack of a standing army, the requirement of unanimous voting, and the absence of the USA severely crippled its peacemaking power throughout.

L3 (6-8 marks): Structured chronologically or conceptually. Evaluates both the 1920s successes (Aaland Islands, Bulgaria-Greece, social work) and the 1930s failures (Manchuria, Abyssinia, appeasement, structural weaknesses). Formulates a solid stance indicating a 'limited extent' of success. L2 (3-5 marks): Explains either the successes or failures well, but ignores the other period, or provides a narrative account of the League's history without focusing on 'to what extent'. L1 (1-2 marks): Highly generalized description with many historical inaccuracies or lacks any concrete examples.

An excellent essay should present a balanced argument evaluating both external political factors and internal economic initiatives:

1. External political factors:
- The Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) brought capital, entrepreneurs, and cheap labor from mainland China (especially Shanghai) to Hong Kong, laying the foundation for economic restructuring.
- The Korean War (1950-1953) and subsequent UN/US embargoes on China severely disrupted the traditional entrepot trade, forcing Hong Kong to industrialize (export-oriented industrialization).
- China's Reform and Opening-up (1978 onwards) revived the entrepot trade, as Hong Kong became the primary gateway for trade and investment into mainland China.

2. Internal economic initiatives:
- Government policies: The colonial government adopted 'positive non-interventionism', maintaining low taxation, free trade, and stable financial regulation.
- Infrastructure development: Construction of modern container terminals (e.g., Kwai Tsing), expansion of Kai Tak Airport, and improvement of transport networks.
- Entrepreneurship and financial services: Diversification into high-value manufacturing and financial services, establishing Hong Kong as an international financial center.

3. Synthesis and evaluation:
- Candidates should argue whether external factors acted as the catalyst/precondition while internal initiatives served as the essential execution mechanism, or vice versa, to demonstrate high-level historical analysis.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Comprehensive and balanced analysis, clear thesis statement, excellent use of historical evidence from 1946-1989, clear comparison of 'external political factors' vs. 'internal economic initiatives'.
- 16-20 marks: Clear argument with good historical knowledge, covers both aspects but might be slightly imbalanced or lack depth in some periods.
- 11-15 marks: Sound knowledge but tends to describe events rather than analyze the 'to what extent' question; limited comparison.
- 6-10 marks: One-sided answer or major chronological errors; weak essay structure.
- 1-5 marks: Little or no understanding of the topic; irrelevant information.

Candidates should critically evaluate the political reforms of the 1980s and 1990s and their impact on the 1997 transition.

Arguments in agreement (Positive preparation):
- Introduction of representative government (District Boards in 1982, functional and direct elections to LegCo in 1985 and 1991) nurtured political talent and increased civic awareness.
- Localization of the civil service ensured administrative continuity and competence of local leaders after 1997.
- The Bill of Rights Ordinance (1991) and other legal reforms strengthened the rule of law and human rights protections.

Arguments in disagreement (Negative impacts / Poor preparation):
- Rapid democratization in the 1990s (especially Chris Patten's electoral reforms in 1992) angered Beijing, leading to the derailment of the 'through-train' agreement.
- China established the Provisional Legislative Council (PLC) in 1996 to replace the elected 1995 LegCo, creating institutional disruption.
- The reforms intensified political polarization within Hong Kong society (pro-democracy vs. pro-Beijing camps), creating long-term political instability.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Well-structured, balanced, and insightful evaluation of both positive and negative consequences of the reforms, with specific historical details (e.g., Green/White papers, Chris Patten, PLC).
- 16-20 marks: Clear structure, good grasp of key events, but may focus heavily on Chris Patten's era while neglecting the 1980s reforms.
- 11-15 marks: Descriptive account of political developments in Hong Kong without a strong analytical focus on the 'transition' aspect.
- 6-10 marks: Superficial answer with vague references to the transition, containing factual errors.
- 1-5 marks: Completely off-topic or structurally flawed.

Candidates need to compare the two factors across different reform phases: Self-Strengthening Movement (1861-1895), Hundred Days' Reform (1898), and Late Qing New Policies (1901-1911).

1. Internal weaknesses:
- Conservative opposition: Empress Dowager Cixi and court conservatives blocked structural reforms (e.g., stopping the 1898 reform).
- Ideological constraints: The principle of 'Chinese learning for substance, Western learning for utility' limited modernization to superficial technical levels.
- Lack of central leadership & regionalism: Reforms were decentralized and led by regional officials (e.g., Li Hongzhang, Zhang Zhidong), leading to coordination failures.
- Late Qing New Policies' insincerity: The 'Royal Cabinet' (1911) alienated Han elites and proved the court's reluctance to share power.

2. External pressures:
- Foreign invasions: The Sino-French War (1884-1885) and the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) destroyed the modernized Beiyang Fleet.
- Financial exhaustion: Indemnities from the Treaty of Shimonoseki and Boxer Protocol drained capital that could have been used for industrialization.
- Imperialist encroachment: Scramble for concessions weakened Qing sovereignty and disrupted domestic planning.

3. Synthesis / Comparative Evaluation:
- Candidates should argue which factor was more primary. For instance, internal weaknesses made China incapable of defending against external threats, which in turn increased external pressure and doomed further reforms.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Analytical and well-structured, covers all three reform phases, clearly compares 'internal' vs. 'external' factors, and makes a strong concluding assessment.
- 16-20 marks: Good historical detail, addresses both factors, but might lack balance or treat the three reform phases unequally.
- 11-15 marks: Mainly descriptive of the reforms (Self-Strengthening, 1898, New Policies) without focusing strongly on the analytical comparison of the causes of failure.
- 6-10 marks: Limited knowledge, focusing on only one reform period or presenting a highly biased, unstructured argument.
- 1-5 marks: Poor historical knowledge, severe factual errors.

An effective essay should be structured in two main parts: comparisons (similarities and differences) and an assessment of the extent of 'complete departure'.

1. Differences (Support for 'complete departure'):
- Ideology & Approach: Mao prioritized class struggle and ideological purity ('red over expert'), using mass mobilization (e.g., Great Leap Forward). Deng prioritized pragmatism ('black cat, white cat') and economic development ('Four Modernizations').
- Ownership & Market: Mao implemented strict state ownership, collectivization (People's Communes), and central planning. Deng introduced the Household Responsibility System, tolerated private enterprises, and developed a 'Socialist Market Economy'.
- External Relations: Mao followed self-reliance (autarky) and allied primarily with the socialist bloc (before the Sino-Soviet split). Deng adopted the 'Open Door Policy', established Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and integrated China into the global capitalist economy.

2. Similarities (Refuting 'complete departure'):
- Role of the State: The state maintained monopoly/control over vital heavy industries, transport, and banking.
- Institutional Continuity: Both eras utilized five-year plans to guide the national economy.
- Political Framework: Deng's economic reforms were strictly bounded by the 'Four Cardinal Principles', ensuring the Communist Party's monopoly on political power, similar to Mao's era.

3. Conclusion:
- Candidates should conclude that while the economic tools and global integration changed drastically, the underlying political-economic objective (national strength under party leadership) remained consistent, hence it was a major realignment rather than a 'complete departure'.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Highly analytical, clear and structured comparison of both eras, balanced assessment of 'complete departure' with strong historical evidence (e.g., SEZs, Commune system, Four Cardinal Principles).
- 16-20 marks: Good comparison with sound knowledge, but might focus too much on differences while neglecting structural continuities, or vice versa.
- 11-15 marks: Mostly descriptive of the economic policies of Mao and Deng separately, with weak comparative structure.
- 6-10 marks: Serious imbalances, superficial knowledge of either Mao's or Deng's economic policies, or lacks any comparative analysis.
- 1-5 marks: Irrelevant response with many factual errors.

Candidates should analyze both the role of the Paris Peace Conference (Treaty of Versailles, etc.) and other inter-war developments.

Arguments in agreement (Seeds sown by peace settlements):
- Treaty of Versailles: Harsh clauses (Article 231 War Guilt, heavy reparations, disarmament, territorial losses) humiliated Germany, creating deep resentment that Hitler later exploited.
- Dissatisfied winners: Italy felt cheated of its territorial gains ('mutilated victory'), facilitating Mussolini's rise.
- Self-determination issues: The creation of new, weak states in Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland, Czechoslovakia) left large German minorities, which became targets of German revisionism.
- Defective League of Nations: The League was tied to the unpopular peace treaties, lacks its own military force, and excluded major powers initially (USA never joined, USSR/Germany excluded early on).

Arguments in disagreement (Other/Subsequent causes):
- The Great Depression (1929): Destroyed Weimar democracy and international economic stability, paving the way for Hitler's rise to power.
- Aggressive expansionism of totalitarian regimes: Nazi ideology (Lebensraum) and Italian fascism had aggressive goals independent of mere treaty revision.
- Failure of Appeasement: Britain and France failed to enforce the treaties, allowing Hitler to militarize the Rhineland, annex Austria, and take the Sudetenland without resistance, encouraging further aggression.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Clear, balanced, and highly analytical discussion of the direct linkages between the 1919 treaties and the outbreak of war in 1939, balanced with a strong counter-argument examining factors in the 1930s.
- 16-20 marks: Good historical knowledge of Versailles and 1930s crises, but might fail to link them analytically to the concept of 'sowing seeds'.
- 11-15 marks: Focuses almost exclusively on the Treaty of Versailles or provides a general chronological narrative of the inter-war period without strong analytical focus.
- 6-10 marks: Superficial essay with limited historical examples, weak structure.
- 1-5 marks: Factual inaccuracies and poor historical understanding.

Candidates must evaluate the significance of the alliance system in relation to other long-term and short-term causes of WWI.

1. Role of the Alliance System (Supporting the premise):
- Division of Europe: The creation of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Great Britain) created two armed, hostile blocs.
- Chain-reaction mechanism: The commitments of alliances (e.g., Russia supporting Serbia, Germany's 'blank check' to Austria, France supporting Russia) dragged great powers into war sequentially after the Sarajevo assassination.
- Secret Diplomacy: Created suspicion and reduced options for peaceful conflict resolution.

2. Role of other factors (Counter-arguments / limits of the premise):
- Militarism & Arms Race: The Anglo-German naval rivalry and general military mobilization plans (e.g., Schlieffen Plan) created a 'mobilization means war' atmosphere.
- Imperialism: Colonial rivalries (e.g., Moroccan Crises of 1905, 1911) heightened tensions between Germany and France/Britain.
- Nationalism: Balkan nationalism (Pan-Slavism) and Austro-Hungarian determination to crush Serbia created explosive conditions in the 'powder keg of Europe'.
- Short-term crisis: The diplomatic failures of July 1914 after the Sarajevo assassination.

3. Synthesis:
- High-scoring answers will explain how the alliance system interacted with other factors (e.g., militarism made alliances dangerous; nationalism triggered the crisis that activated the alliances).

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Clear and balanced thesis, excellent analytical framework, deep knowledge of alliances and other causes of WWI, and sophisticated synthesis showing how causes interacted.
- 16-20 marks: Good historical knowledge, addresses both the alliance system and other causes, but may lack depth in analyzing their interactions.
- 11-15 marks: Descriptive of the causes of WWI (M-A-I-N) with weak comparative analysis; tends to list causes rather than evaluate relative importance.
- 6-10 marks: Superficial answer with severe omissions (e.g., failing to explain how alliances worked in July 1914) or unstructured writing.
- 1-5 marks: Confused chronologies, irrelevant arguments, minimal understanding.

This is a two-part essay requiring candidates to explain (1) the success of Meiji modernization and (2) its negative consequences on Asia up to the early 20th century.

Part 1: Success of Meiji Modernization:
- Political: Abolition of Han system, establishment of a centralized government, and the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution (1889) establishing a constitutional monarchy.
- Economic: Rapid industrialization, adoption of Western technology, state support for model factories (zaibatsu), and infrastructure development (railways, telegraphs).
- Military: Introduction of universal conscription (1873), creation of a modern Western-style army and navy, and implementation of the 'Fukoku Kyohei' (Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military) policy.
- Educational/Social: Introduction of compulsory education, sending students abroad, and promoting westernization ('Bunmei Kaika').

Part 2: Negative Consequences on Asia:
- Imperialist Aggression: Japan's newly gained military strength led directly to expansionism.
- Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): Led to the defeat of Qing China, heavy indemnities, and the annexation of Taiwan.
- Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Fought on Chinese territory (Manchuria), causing local suffering and establishing Japanese hegemony over Northeast Asia.
- Colonization of Korea: Culminating in the formal annexation of Korea in 1910, destroying Korean sovereignty and subjecting its citizens to forced assimilation and economic exploitation.

Max 25 marks:
- 21-25 marks: Detailed and balanced analysis of both parts. Shows deep understanding of Meiji reforms and connects domestic modernization directly to foreign aggression in Asia, using precise historical examples (e.g., Treaty of Shimonoseki, annexation of Korea).
- 16-20 marks: Addresses both parts, but might be slightly imbalanced (e.g., highly detailed on reforms but descriptive on consequences for Asia).
- 11-15 marks: Demonstrates basic knowledge of Meiji reforms but lacks analytical depth on the negative impacts on Asian neighbors.
- 6-10 marks: One-sided answer or fails to discuss the external impact on Asia completely; contains factual errors.
- 1-5 marks: Very weak and unstructured response with minimal relevant historical content.