What IB was looking for on Western Europe 1848-1914

The question came from IB exam in May of 2009.

 9. Discuss the importance of either imperialism or emigration for nineteenth century Europe.

Candidates are asked for importance for Europe so more than one country should be considered.
Imperialism could be defined as the acquisition and rule/administration of an empire. Reasons for seeking an empire could include commercial and industrial expansion, especially to obtain raw materials, financial gain, trade, in order to obtain ready markets, and as a status symbol – to suggest power. The main imperial powers at the beginning of the nineteenth century were Britain, France, Holland, Portugal and Spain. Towards of the end of the century they were joined by the newly unified Germany and Italy. Importance could include economic gain – or financial drain, expansion, and rivalry, even a cause of war. The so-called “scramble for Africa” could be examined.

Emigration will probably not be a popular choice, and candidates should not attempt it unless they have done a case study. Again the question states Europe, so addressing one country only would not be satisfactory. The reasons for people leaving Europe were largely concerned with finding a better life, to escape famine, poverty, unemployment, overcrowding etc., and hopefully to find work, financial stability, better health, etc. In some ways Europe was helped, with fewer people to feed, as it was on the whole the poor who emigrated in large numbers. Evidence for this is that by far the highest number of emigrants were from Britain and Ireland. Europe was also helped by increasing trade, money sent home, and even the provision of penal settlements. Between 1821 and 1851 European emigrants averaged 110,000 a year. This rose to 900,000 a year by the end of the century.

[0-7 marks] for a few general comments.
[8-9] for narrative or descriptive answers.
[10-11] for specific evidence and explicit attention to importance.
[12-13] for wide ranging discussion based on specific details.
[14+] for balanced analysis and different interpretations.

Supplemental Articles:
Imperialism
GaleGroup: Empire and Imperialism: Europe
Looking ahead... The Empire Writes Back: Theory and Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures
Franz Fanon: The Wretched of the Earth  and A Dying Colonialism

Emigration
EGO European History Online: Emigration Across the Atlantic
Emigration and Scottish Society - short case study for Scotland
National Bureau of Economic Research; What Drove the Mass Migrations from Europe in the Late Nineteenth Century?, Timothy J. Hatton, Jeffrey G. Williamson