MJC H2 HIST P2

MJC/ JC2 PRELIM EXAMS 2015/ H2 HISTORY 9731 (2) 1 MERIDIAN JUNIOR COLLEGE Preliminary Examination Higher 2 ___________________________________________________________________ H2 History 9731 Paper 2: History of Southeast Asia c.1900-1997 21 September 2015 3 Hours ___________________________________________________________________ READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name and civics group clearly on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black ball point pen on both sides of the paper. Write the number of the question that you are attempting in the margin of every sheet of paper used. Start each question on a fresh sheet of paper. At the end of the examination, fasten this cover sheet and all your answers (in chronological order) securely together. Section A Answer Question 1. Section B Answer any three questions. All questions in this paper carry 25 marks. You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers. Question Marks 1 Total ___________________________________________________________________ This document consists of 4 printed pages.

MJC/ JC2 PRELIM EXAMS 2015/ H2 HISTORY 9731 (2) 2 SECTION A You must answer Question 1. ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS (AFC) AND ASEAN REGIONAL COOPERATION 1. Read the sources and then answer the question which follows. Source A The effects of globalisation and the region’s economic and financial crisis have not only caused outsiders to doubt our efficacy, but also forced us to rethink our role…On the one hand, we have the Vision of 2020, which talks about “a stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN E conomic Region in which there is free flow of goods, services and investments, yet on the other hand, we seem to be unable to agree on the sectors to be liberalised. Surin Pitsuwan, Thailand’s foreign minister, at the ASEAN post-ministerial conference meeting in Singapore, July 1999. Source B The oft-cited example of ASEAN’s inability to deal with regional issues is the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. ASEAN member states took individual actions to alleviate their own situations, without consultation with the other members, leading to the complete neglect of ASEAN during the crisis period. This not only showed the ineffectiveness of ASEAN to deal with regional issues but also provided a powerful catalyst for the emergence of a new concept of regional security by pressing its member states to crit ically examine the old concept of security, based on the principle of non -interference. First, ASEAN is now more willing and able to discuss the domestic policies of its member states, insofar as they have regional ramifications... Extract taken from “Asian Financial Crisis and ASEAN’s concept of security”, a working paper from an academic, 2008. Source C The general consensus is that up to the end of the Cold War, ASEAN’s record of economic cooperation is abysmal. Although the economics of most of th e individual countries did very well until the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, as an economic grouping, it failed to achieve the goals set out in its original Declaration. ASEAN economic cooperation and progress gained new momentum after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, and has seen a steady increase in intra -regional economic agreements since, and in extension agreements with other bodies as a regional grouping. With ASEAN 10, new economic challenges to collaboration looms, and yet bolstered by confidence in ASEAN processes, discussions for greater integration continues. Extract taken from “ASEAN 1967 – 1999: A Documentary History”, 2007.

MJC/ JC2 PRELIM EXAMS 2015/ H2 HISTORY 9731 (2) 3 Source D The ASEAN Heads of State/Government stressed that ASEAN countries must remain united and show resolve in re sponding to the challenge posed by the currency situation. They strongly endorsed the ASEAN Finance Minister’s commitment to ensure sound economic fundamentals and strengthen the financial sector. Taking note of the recent establishment of the ASEAN Central Bank Forum, they supported the ASEAN Finance Minister’s decision to form a Select Committee, with a permanent Secretariat, assisted by the Asian Development Bank. This would develop, in close cooperation with international financial agencies, a regiona l surveillance mechanism that would emphasise preventive efforts to avoid the emergence of risks that would precipitate a crisis. Towards this end, they agreed that it is important to have sound economic and financial policies and reforms to strengthen ASEAN’s ability to cope effectively with the challenges associated with liberalisation. Joint Statement of the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of ASEAN on the Financial Situation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 December 1997. Source E When the Asian Financial Crisis broke into public view, the "observers" and "analysts" quoted in the media commented: Surely, the ASEAN c ountries will now retreat into their own nationalistic shells. They will build protectionist walls around them. They will pursue their own national interests. To each his own. Forget ASEAN solidarity. Forget ASEAN cooperation. The "observers" and "analysts ," herd -like, concluded: Surely, at the very least, AFTA - the ASEAN Free Trade Area, scheduled for completion in 2003 - is dead. Now, what is the factual experience, as opposed to gloomy speculation? In fact, the real impact of this experience on ASEAN has been to pull the ASEAN countries more closely together. It has opened them more widely to one another. It has strengthened ASEAN solidarity. It has intensified ASEAN cooperation. It has hastened ASEAN integration. The result has been the opposite of th e public expectation, the outcome contrary to the popular prognosis. Extract of the keynote address by Rodolfo C. Severino, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the opening of the Seventh ASEAN Editors' Conference, Jakarta, 12 April 1999. Now answer the following question: How far do sources A-E show that the Asian Financial Crisis had marked a turning point in ASEAN’s regional cooperation?

MJC/ JC2 PRELIM EXAMS 2015/ H2 HISTORY 9731 (2) 4 SECTION B You must answer three questions from this section. 2 Why were some pre -WWII Southeast Asian nationalist movements more successful than others? 3 “Negotiation rather than confrontation was the more effective way of obtaining independence.” Discuss 4 Assess the view that historical legitimacy best explains why Communism was successful in some independent Southeast Asian countries, but not others. 5 “The policy of assimilation was decidedly counter -productive for the formation of national unity.” Discuss. 6 To what extent were regional cooperation and security ultimately damaged by inter-state tensions between independent Southeast Asian states? - End of Paper-