SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE ECONOMICS: SPECIMEN PAPER
Syllabus: 2009 –
Paper II A
Answer FOUR essay questions, two from each section. The maximum number of marks is
25 for each essay, a total of 100 marks.
Section A: Maltese History
1. Why did the Order of St. John settle in Birgu in 1530 and why did it move to Valletta after
1566? How did this affect the Maltese?
2. The Order of St. John carried out various important projects in the Maltese islands during its
rule. Account for these projects and the effect they have on present day Malta.
3. Compare and contrast the various steps in Malta’s constitutional development under British
rule up to 1903.
4. Account how (a) outbreaks of contagious diseases (b) wars in the Mediterranean and (c) the
opening of the Suez Canal affected the Maltese economy during the 19th century.
5. Church-State relations were not always smooth during the 20th century. Comment.
6. The closure of the British base in 1979 ushered in Malta’s non-aligned policy. Account for
Malta’s foreign policy up to its becoming a full member in the E.U.
Section B: European and International History
7. Why was there a split in the Christian Church in the 16th century? Account for the spread of
the new Protestant movements and how the Catholic Church reacted to this revolt.
8. What was the Enlightenment? How did this movement influence the ruling monarchs? What
were the main ideas of two of the main philosophers of that time?
9. How was the Napoleonic Empire created? What led to its downfall? Which positive elements
remained in France after its destruction?
10. The 1848 revolutions started successfully but ended in failure. Evaluate the course of the
revolutions in the countries and regions which formed part of the Austrian Empire.
11. What impact did the Soviet Union have on the formation of the new Europe after the Second
World War. How did it influence the events in Hungary (1956) and Chechoslovakia (1968)?
12. Why did European nations come closer together in the second half of the 20th century and how
did this lead to the development of the European Union of today?
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