Class Register Number
Name
2204/01 16/4P2/SS/01
COMBINED HUMANITIES
SOCIAL STUDIES
Monday 1 August 2016 1 hr 45 mins
VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA
SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTOR IA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL
VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA
VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA SCHOOL VICTORIA
VICTORIA SCHOOL
SECOND PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
(SECONDARY FOUR)
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Write your name and index number in the spaces provided on this question paper and all answer
sheets.
Section A: You must answer all parts of Question 1.
Section B: Answer one question.
Write your answers on the separate answer papers provided.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
If you use more than one sheet of paper, fasten the sheets together.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
This document is intended for internal circulation in Victoria School only. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of
the Victoria School Internal Exams Committee.
This Question Paper consists of 6 printed pages including this cover page.
[Turn over
2
Section A (Source-Based Case Study)
Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates.
Study the background information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.
You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you
are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you
interpret and evaluate the sources.
1(a) Study Source A.
How far does the cartoonist support Singapores vision of going car-lite? Explain your
answer, using details of the cartoon. [6]
(b) Study Sources B and C.
How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7]
(c) Study Source D.
How useful is this source as evidence about going car-lite in Singapore? Explain your
answer. [7]
(d) Study Source E.
Why was this letter written? Explain your answer. [7]
(e) Study Source F.
How far does Source F prove that Singapore can go car-lite? Explain your answer. [8]
3
Can Singapore go car-lite?
Background Information
Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions.
Singapore started introducing measures to curb car ownership and usage because it did not want
the city to be clogged with traffic. It introduced the world's first quota scheme for cars, which limited
their numbers and made Singapore the most expensive country to own a car. It was also the first to
have a city-wide electronic road pricing system. However, it also started a massive road and carpark
building programme, making driving and parking a breeze. 12 per cent of land is now used for roads,
as compared to 14 per cent of land set aside for housing. In 2014, a new sustainable blueprint to
guide Singapore's development over the next 15 years was launched to create a better environment,
which includes aiming for a car-lite Singapore - where cars are not the central means of transport.
Study the following sources to assess whether Singapore can go car-lite.
Source A: A cartoon on car-lite Singapore, published in a local newspaper.
4
Source B: A comment by a political scientist published in The Straits Times, November 2014.
In theory, our public policies are designed to curb car ownership and reduce road usage. In practice,
there has been a perverse result. We have ended up creating an ecosystem of transportation that
rewards, rather than penalises, car owners. It is such a pleasure to drive in Singapore because
there are no Bangkok-style traffic jams. In retrospect, was it wise to use so much public money to
build a road infrastructure that eats up scarce land and rewards car ownership? Can our public
policies change? Yes, they can. The Singapore Government has long prided itself on the fact that
it has tried to find efficient "market" solutions to public policy problems. Since road space is scarce,
we have created "road pricing". This is a good policy. Since we cannot have too many cars on the
roads, we auction certificates of entitlement which are needed to register private vehicles. This is
also a good public policy.
Source C: From an article written by a journalist published in The Straits Times, July 2016.
The problem with the governments car-friendly approach of building roads and car parks is that it
merely fuels the desire to own and use cars. That is why the cost of certificates of entitlement has
soared it is the price Singaporeans are prepared to pay for the wonderful job the Government has
done to make driving such a pleasure. Meanwhile the government is also devising more plans to
curb car ownership and usage by having Electric Road Pricing (ERP) and Certificate of Entitlement
(COE). Why this love-hate relationship? To be fair to the Government, it has changed course in
recent years, promoting public transport, cycling and car-sharing. But it can do more to overhaul old
ways of thinking about roads and carparks. Car-lite should also mean road-lite and carpark-lite.
Source D: A comment by a local blogger, May 2016.
It is easy (or perhaps not so easy) to try and get the nation to give up their cars by coming up with
well-intentioned initiatives like the said 'Car-Lite Singapore' by waxing lyrical about our public
transport system that is undergoing improvements. But not every car owner is going to roll along
with it. Will those who come up with these suggestions bid goodbye to their swanky, posh
automobiles? I honestly don't think so.
Additionally, even if you do not need a car right now, who knows when a car will be a necessity for
you and your family when your lifestyle needs change - you never know when you will have kids or
when your parents aren't so fit physically to squeeze with the rest of the population on public
transport, right?
5
Source E: From a letter written to The Straits Times Forum, July 2016.
The discovery of defects in so many new MRT trains does not bode well for the Government's car-
lite strategy. This unfortunate episode raises the possibility that the rail infrastructure, which is the
backbone of our public transport, may not be ready as planned for the increased passenger load, if
a significant portion of car owners either heed the Government's call to give up their cars or are
forced to do so by rising costs such as higher parking fees. An overburdened public transport system
will not be beneficial to Singaporeans.
Source F: A comment by the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong in July 2016 at
a ceremony marking the completion of a 4km cycling route around Ang Mo Kio (AMK)
housing estate.
The ongoing transformation of Ang Mo Kio into a model walking and cycling town could pave the
way for the rest of Singapore in the drive towards a car-lite society. I think this is going to be a
success and we will do this in other towns as well, so that we can encourage people to ride more
on bicycles, need cars less and also save money, and become healthier. Even in a busy
neighbourhood, we can carve out a little bit of space; underneath the MRT viaduct, now we have a
sheltered walking and cycling path.
6
Section B (Structured-Essay Questions)
Answer one question.
2. Bonding Singapore
(a) Explain how the mismanagement of racial sensitivities can undermine Singapore's
ethnic harmony. [5]
(b) Explain two other challenges that can undermine Singapore's ethnic harmony. Which of
them do you think is more significant? Explain your answer. [10]
3. Iraq-Kuwait Conflict
(a) Explain how the fear of a global economic crisis was a reaction to Iraqs invasion of
Kuwait. [5]
(b) Explain two other reactions to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait. Which of them do you think was
more significant? Explain your answer. [10]
End of Paper
Source acknowledgements:
Source A: http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/attachments/2016/04/18/1_-_27_11_2014_-_stst_-_first_-_a43.pdf
Source B: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/big-idea-no-10-downsize-the-pie
Source C: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/way-to-go-to-be-car-lite-be-road-lite-and-carpark-lite
Source D: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/3-reasons-why-singaporeans-may-010143988.html
Source E: http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/is-rail-system-ready-to-support-car-lite-strategy
Source F: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/amk-could-lead-way-to-car-lite-society-pm
7
VICTORIA SCHOOL
SECONDARY 4 SOCIAL STUDIES 2016
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS I SUGGESTED ANSWERS
1(a) Study Source A.
How far does the cartoonist support Singapores vision of going car-lite? Explain your
answer, using details of the cartoon. [6]
L1 Describes source [1]
L2 Literal interpretation Or Misinterpretation [2]
L3 Valid Interpretation of Message [3-4]
Cartoonist supports the vision of a car-lite Singapore as cycling can be an
alternative to driving. By giving up driving, the number of cars can be significantly
reduced.
Or
Cartoonist does not support Singapores vision of going car-lite because to go car
lite, too many cars will be replaced by a bike at the expense of the car drivers.
L4 Valid interpretation of both sides [5]
L5 Cartoonist is unsure / ambivalent explained [6]
(b) Study Sources B and C.
How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer.
[7]
L2 Similar/Difference [3-4]
Similar that there is a need to cut down on road building or expanding
Similar that giving up cars would not be easy because driving is a breeze in Singapore
Similar that current policies encourage car driving
OR
Different in terms of other ways to go car-lite: C thinks that going road-lite and car park lite
is important while B thinks that ERP and COE should still continue
L3 Similar and Difference [5-6]
L4 Similar in viewpoint/confidence [7]
B & C are largely supportive of governments action and believe that government is
capable of leading the country to a car-lite society when the right gaps are filled
8
(c) Study Source D.
How useful is this source as evidence about going car-lite in Singapore? Explain your [7]
answer.
L1 Useful/Not Useful: Provenance or Unsupported Assertions [1]
L2 Not useful based on typicality or things it does not tell us [2]
L3 Useful or not useful based on content / attitude [3-4]
Source is useful in revealing the authors negative attitude towards a car-lite
Singapore.
This Singaporeans opinion is useful in reflecting some of the populations
sentiments towards a car-lite Singapore
Source is useful in telling us that it is not easy to go car lite.
L4 Useful/Not Useful: Cross-reference to other sources [5]
Useful not easy to go car lite and cross-referred to Source B, C & E
D says it is not easy for Singaporeans to give up their cars and be car lite because
when cross-referred to B, B agrees that we have an ecosystem of transportation
that rewards, rather than penalises, car owners.
D says it is not easy for Singaporeans to give up their cars and be car lite because
when cross-referred to C, C agrees that governments car-friendly approach of
building roads and car parks is that it merely fuels the desire to own and use cars
D says that it is not easy to go car lite because our public transport system is
undergoing improvements because when cross-referred to E, E agrees that The
discovery of defects in so many new MRT trains does not bode well for the
Government's car-lite strategy
Not useful that Singapore cannot go car lite, cross-referred to Source F
D says it is not easy for Singaporeans to give up their cars and be car lite because
when cross-referred to F, F contradicts D as F suggests that going car lite will be a
success as Singapore can encourage people to ride more on bicycles, need car
less and also save money.
L5 Not useful: Less reliable explained by extreme language in the source [6]
the authors mocking and exaggerated comments, such as waxing lyrical, bid goodbye
to their posh and swanky automobiles and to squeeze with the rest of the population
make what she says less reliable. She is too presumptuous and too biased against the
vision of a car-lite Singapore and this makes what she says less trustworthy. Therefore
the source is less useful.
9
L6 L5 but still useful in showing that there are people who are doubtful in terms of
attitude of going car lite and this mindset may be an obstacle.
Study Source E.
Why was this letter written? Explain your answer. [7]
L1 Generalised context [1]
L2 Reactions [2]
to show concerns
L3 Message [3-4]
To show that there is a need to improve public transport
OR
To tell government that Japan and HK are better
L4 Purpose [5]
To convince government that Singapore is not ready to be car-lite strategy
OR
To warn or urge the government that our public transport is not ready to support a car-lite
strategy
L5 Motives/Impact [6]
Get the government to reconsider / step up / improve on public transport first before
embarking on car-lite
Get people to support her/his idea and pressurise the government to step up or not to go
car lite.
L6 L4+5 [7]
(e) Study Source E.
How far does Source F prove that Singapores drive towards carlite would succeed? [8]
Explain your answer
L1 Provenance [1-2]
L2 Proves based on content [3]
PM believes that this is going to be a success and they will do this in other towns as well,
so that we can encourage people to ride more on bicycles, need cars less and also save
money, and become healthier.
L3 Typicality or omission [4]
He was only talking about one town, AMK. There are many other towns in Singapore.
Furthermore, going car-lite also involves other strategies such as road-lite and car-park
lite.
L4 Does not prove based on motive / purpose [5-6]
10
Does not prove given the fact that this is the PM of Singapore and he would want to
encourage and give the impression that the car-lite vision can be achieved hence he had
to sound positive so that people would forgo their cars in Singapore and make short
distance trips by cycling. There is a sustainability plan and he wants to spearhead this.
*Note that PM Lee is not unreliable even though he was upbeat and positive as well as
has a purpose in saying those words.
L5 Prove or does not prove based on cross-reference [7-8]
Prove and cross-referred to Source A & C
F suggests that the plan of going car lite will be a success because with more towns that
encourage cycling, less cars will be needed. This can be cross-referred to Source A that
cycling can replace driving.
F suggests that the plan of going car lite will be a success because with more towns that
encourage cycling, less cars will be needed. This can be cross-referred to C that
government is changing and promoting public transport and cycling.
*Cross-referring to A rewards only 7m. Even though is valid but there is limitation to a
cartoon with regards to the issue of proof.
OR
Developed evaluation of the concept of proof with or without cross-reference to D
F is talking about the future and at this point he cant even really prove that people of AMK
would take up cycling what more other parts of Singapore. He just thinks this is going to
be a success. When I cross-refer to D, D suggests that people who do not drive now may
do so in the future as who knows when a car will be a necessity. Thus, what PM Lee says
really does not prove at this point that Singapore can go car lite and succeed. Perhaps in
the future but nobody really knows when. [8]
Explain how the mismanagement of racial sensitivities can undermine Singapores
ethnic harmony.
L1 (1m) Writes about topic
L2 (2-3m) Describes mismanagement of racial sensitivities
L3 (4-5m) Explains how mismanagement of racial sensitivities threatens
Singapores ethnic diversity
11
The mismanagement of racial sensitivities can undermine Singapores ethnic harmony. In
1964, Singapore experienced racial riots which led to 36 deaths and 560 injuries. These
riots arose as a result of the different political approaches of the State Government in
Singapore and the Federal Government in Kuala Lumpur. The strained relationship
worsened in 1964 when the Peoples Action Party (PAP) participated in the Federal
Election in Malaysia. The PAP called for a non-communal approach to Malaysian politics
and the creation of a Malaysia where everyone would be given equal rights and privileges.
This was in conflict with the approach by the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO)
who then organised an anti-PAP campaign centred on highlighting the poverty and the
unfair treatment of the Malay community in Singapore. UMNO claimed that the PAPs
resettlement and redevelopment programme was anti-Malay as these programmes were
launched to uproot the Malays from their homes in the traditional Malay areas such as
Crawford, Kampong Glam and Rochor areas. This was contrary to the fact that many
Chinese residents were also affected. The Malay newspaper, Utusan Malayu, was also
used to spread misinformation about the actual number of Malay families affected. In
addition, UMNO held speeches which portrayed the PAP as anti-Malay, further stirring up
anger and fuelling the hostility and distrust amongst the Malay community. This led to the
racial riots in July 1964, where Chinese policemen clashed with Malay participants of the
celebration of Prophet Muhammads birthday, causing much damage to property as well
as loss of lives. This means that mismanagement of racial sensitivities can undermine
Singapores ethnic harmony because perceptions of racial groups can pose a serious
challenge to maintaining social cohesion in Singapore as evidenced by the 1964 racial
riots. The peace that is enjoyed by Singapores multi-ethnic society, consisting of
people from various races such as Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian living
harmoniously alongside one another, can be easily broken when there is hostility
and distrust, leading to racial conflict. Racial sensitivities are mismanaged when
certain races are perceived to be favoured because of their race. When this happens,
perceptions of different racial groups are thus open to manipulation, making it easy
for certain groups of people to sow discord and create an air of suspicion, destroying
the sense of national identity as Singaporeans. When racial differences are not
understood, common bonds that are fostered by the various races who call
Singapore home can be easily broken and thus undermine the peace and social
harmony enjoyed by an ethnically diverse society in Singapore. Therefore, the
mismanagement of racial sensitivities can undermine Singapores ethnic harmony.
Explain two other challenges that can undermine Singapores ethnic harnony.
L1 (1-2m) Identifies other factor/s mismanagement of religious sensitivities,
transnational terrorism
L2 (3-4m) Describes other factor/s
L3 (5-6m) Explains one other factor
L4 (7-8m) L3 + Explains another factor
L5 (9-10m) L4 + Explains relative importance of the two chosen factors
Misperception of different religious groups is one challenge that can undermine
Singapores ethnic harmony. This is illustrated by the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950. The riots
had its origins in the disputed custody over a Dutch girl named Maria Hertogh between her
adoptive mother, Aminah, and her birth parents. In the 1940s, a Dutch couple was
imprisoned by the Japanese. They placed their daughter, Maria Hertogh, under the care
12
of a Malay lady, Aminah. Maria was raised as a Muslim and at the age of 13, married a
Malay teacher. When her parents demanded that Maria be returned to them, a court trial
followed. This court trial had wide media coverage and provoked much unhappiness
among the Muslim community. Matters were exacerbated by the courts decision to give
custody to the Hertoghs and to annul her marriage to a Malay teacher. Furthermore, the
press also published a picture of Maria in a convent which led to the perception that the
British legal system was unfair to the Muslims and that the welfare of the Muslim
community was not taken into consideration. Such feelings of suspicion and distrust
escalated into hostility in the form of the riots when a Muslim crowd attacked European
and Eurasian communities, resulting in 5 dead and 100 hurt. This means that the
misperception of different religious groups can undermine Singapores ethnic harmony
because it can pose a serious challenge to maintaining social cohesion in Singapore.
The peace that is enjoyed by Singapores multi-ethnic society, consisting of people
from various religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism living
harmoniously In agreement alongside one another, can be easily broken when
religious issues are not handled carefully, leading hostility, distrust and racial
conflict. Different religious groups could have different perceptions over the same
issue and such sensitivities could easily escalate out of hand when religious
perceptions are not handled correctly or carefully. Actions, opinions and feelings
expressed irresponsibly could erode trust and weaken cohesion between various
groups in society. This is evidenced by the Maria Hertogh riots where the Muslim
community felt a sense of suspicion and distrust over the actions of the British courts and
these perceptions later escalated into acts of hostility in the form of the riots, negatively
impacting the relationship between different religious groups by causing division.
Transnational terrorism is another challenge that can undermine Singapores ethnic
harmony. Transnational terrorism refers to acts of violence which are global in terms of
aims, organisation and impact. In 2001, Singapore experienced the challenge of dealing
with the threat of transnational terrorism with the discovery of a plot to launch terrorist
attacks against the US embassy and various government buildings in Singapore. Between
2001 and 2002, 34 members of a Southeast Asian militant Islamic group known as Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) were arrested under the Internal Security Act. These persons were involved
in terrorist-related activities from 2001-2002 such as fund raising, purchase of bomb-
making materials and targeting various locations in Singapore for terrorist attacks. Another
JI member was arrested in April 2005. He was trained in handling weapons and making
bombs. The arrests affected social cohesion in Singapore as it led to mixed reactions
amongst Singaporeas with members of the Muslim community being linked to terrorism by
members of other organisations. These included incidents of Muslims being unfairly
profiled as having terrorist links as well as perceptions amongst Muslims that they had
been unfairly targeted by law enforcement agencies. This means that transnational
terrorism can undermine Singapores ethnic harmony because it can pose a serious
challenge to maintaining social cohesion in Singapore. Negative sentiments can
arise when people jump to conclusions about others and make incorrect
judgements due to insufficient understanding and erroneous assumptions. Threats
to ethnic harmony can occur as prejudices may lead to discrimination against the
victims, who are either hurt or excluded from interactions in a diverse society. These
acts can test the social bonds of people living in an ethnically diverse society like
Singapore. If the challenge of transnational terrorism is not handled carefully, people
can be divided because of their suspicion and irrational distrust because race and
religion may be easily used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups. The
distrust can escalate into hostility which could erode racial and religious harmony in
13
the country, thus bringing about conflict and undermining the peace that comes with
living in Singapores ethnically diverse society.
3 Iraq- Kuwait Conflict
(a) Explain how the fear of a global economic crisis was a reaction to [5]
Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
(b) Explain two other reactions to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait. Which of them [10]
do you think was the more important? Explain your answer.
L1 Writes about the factor/ event / cause / impact [1m]
L2 Describes the factor/ event / cause / impact [2-3m]
L3 Explains the factor/ event / cause / impact [4-5m]
[POINT] The fear of a global economic crisis was a reaction to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
[EVIDENCE] By invading Kuwait, Iraq controlled about 20% of the worlds oil production. The ease
of Iraqs invasion of Kuwait might encourage Iraq to be bolder. With Iraqi troops camped near the
Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border, there were fears that Iraq would attack Saudi Arabia, which was the
worlds largest oil producer. The Saudi Arabian army was no match for Iraqs larger and more
experienced army.
[EXPLANATION + LINK] Given the success of the invasion of Kuwait, Iraqs newly acquired
economic reserves would be a real threat to the world. If Iraq also invades Saudi Arabia and obtains
its oil, Iraq would have access to vast amounts of oil. This would enable Iraq to set a high prices for
oil, threatening various the survival of the global economy. Hence, this perpetuates the fear that a
world economic crisis would occur after Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
L1 Identifies other factor(s) [1-2m]
L2 Describes other factor(s) [3-4m]
L3 Explains one other factor [5-6m]
L4 L3 plus Explains another factor [7-8m]
L5 L4 plus Explains relative importance of the two chosen factors [9-10m]
[POINT 1] The attempt to arrive at an Arab Solution was a reaction to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
[EVIDENCE 1] When Kuwait appealed to the Arab League to organise a joint force to repel the Iraqi
forces, the Arab League condemned Iraq and demanded Iraq to withdraw its troops from Kuwait.
However, not all of the League members support the condemnation. This indicated the League
would not be able to deal with the crisis effectively and were divided on their responses to the
invasion. This would mean that the Arab League was unable to protect and restore the sovereignty
of Kuwait.
[EXPLANATION 1 + LINK] The Arab countries attempted to resolve the problem themselves
because they were not keen to have western responses and they did not want a return of western
imperialism. Hence, they want to show that they were able to prevent the escalation of the conflict
without western intervention, by ending a conflict in a peaceful manner.
14
[POINT 2] Saudi Arabias invitation was a reaction to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
[EVIDENCE 2] After Iraqs invasion of Kuwait, Iraqi troops amassed near the Saudi Arabian border.
The Saudi Arabian troops were of no match against the Iraqi troops. Hence, there was fear of an
Iraqi invasion into Saudi Arabia. Deployment of troops in Middle East was a sensitive issue. Without
Saudi Arabias invitation, foreign intervention would deem to be invasive. With Saudi Arabias
invitation, the Western powers would be considered as helping Saudi Arabia instead. The US was
willing to deploy soldiers, navy ships and planes to defend the Saudi kingdom. There were also
other countries who were willing to join such a coalition by providing troops, military equipment and
money.
[EXPLANATION 2 + LINK] Hence, as Saudi Arabia was not confident of protecting its sovereignty
by itself, the Saudis officially invited US to help defend the kingdom, so that it could deter a possible
attack by Iraq on Saudi Arabia. The amassing of an international force could also make Iraq feel
challenged and consider withdrawing its troops from Kuwait.
[POINT 3] International response was a reaction to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait.
[EVIDENCE 3] After Iraqs invasion of Kuwait, the US took the lead in condemning Iraqi action and
forming a coalition of countries to help defend Saudi Arabia and get Iraq out of Kuwait. The UN
Security Council passed a resolution unanimously, demanding an immediate Iraqi withdrawal from
Kuwait. It called for the two countries to begin immediate and intensive negotiations for the
resolution of their differences. Both Kuwaiti and Iraqi assets worldwide were also immediately frozen
to prevent Iraq from making use of the funds. Other economic and military sanctions were also used.
No country was allowed to sell goods to Iraq, with the exception of food and medical supplies.
[EXPLANATION 3 + LINK] The international response was important. The economic sanctions were
meant to inflict a heavy toll on Iraq as it would mean that Iraq could not earn money from its sale of
oil. The inability to import goods was also significant, as Iraq imported more than 90% of its good
from overseas, including food products. These were done with the aim of crippling Iraq, so that Iraq
would withdraw its troops from Kuwait.
[CONCLUSION]
The fear of a global economic crisis was more important than Saudi Arabias invitation in terms of
the extent of possible impact. Saudi Arabias invitation was meant to protect her own sovereignty,
from the possible attack by Iraq. The reaction was meant to ensure the survival of Saudi Arabia.
However, the fear of a global economic crisis was more important, as it was to prevent the downfall
of various economies around the world, which would affect the ability of governments around the
world to fund their countries to meet the needs of their people. Hence, the reaction was for the
survival of not just Saudi Arabia, but also that of various countries around the world.
