Question
With reference to two wars, to what extent do you agree that competition for resources was the main factor contributing to the outbreak of conflict?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the argument that competition for resources was the main factor that contributed to the outbreak of two wars. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two wars need not have occurred at the same time and, if one or both of the wars take place at the beginning of the period, then some material immediately prior to 750 is permissible. The two wars may or may not be chosen from different regions. Candidates must address the competition for resources, which may include fertile land, water, labour and/or mineral wealth, and consider the relative importance of this as a main factor. Candidates will also consider other factors that may or may not have been of greater or lesser importance. Each war may be considered separately or a thematic approach may be used where candidates wish to compare the relative importance of relevant factors for each war chosen.
Question
“Taxation was the most effective means of raising an army.” Discuss with reference to two wars, each from a different region.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
With reference to two wars, candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the hypothesis that taxation was the most effective means of raising an army. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two wars need not have occurred at the same time. However, each of the examples chosen must be from a different region. Factors other than taxation, such as religious belief, tributary obligations, the promise of wealth from divided spoils, and/or the threat of punishment may be discussed to support arguments that may or may not agree with the hypothesis. Each war may be considered separately or a thematic approach may be used if candidates wish to compare the relative importance of relevant factors for each war.
Question
“English success in the Hundred Years War between 1337 and 1396 was the result of superior tactics.” Discuss.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must consider the merits or otherwise of the statement. They may consider a range of other factors that contributed to the success of the English (or, perhaps, to the failure of the French) during this time, but the majority of the answer should be focused on how far superior tactics were the dominant factor.
Indicative content
Superior tactics:
• English use of new tactics such as dismounting their knights and fighting from defensive positions, along with the use of new weapons, particularly the longbow, which had an effect on the tactics employed.
• The superior tactical skill of English leaders such as Edward III and the Black Prince and the failure of the French to adjust to the new English tactics and weapons.
Other factors:
• The poor leadership of the French forces and the political divisions in France that weakened their effort and led to a weak response to the English invasion.
• The capture of the French king, which dealt a severe blow to French morale: the loss of so many leaders in battle limited their ability to resist the English presence.
• The unpopularity of the French government limited their ability to organize resistance.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Examine the reasons for, and the results of, the military expansion of the Islamic world in the 7th and 8th centuries.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to consider both the reasons for and the results of military expansion within the Islamic world across the given timeframe.
Indicative content
Reasons:
• A desire to acquire territory and the wealth that it contained. The Arabs were engaged in a classic imperialist expansion.
• A desire to convert others to Islam played a small role as little effort was made to convert conquered peoples.
• Islam did profess a vision of conquest that may have inspired the armies and given them confidence and purpose.
Results:
• The Islamic Empire defeated the Byzantines and the Persians and acquired enormous territory in the Middle East, North Africa and Spain, as well as in Northern India and Central Asia.
• The conquests made Islamic rulers both wealthy and powerful but also created tension with Islam over who should rule and how the spoils should be divided. This led to civil wars and the division of Islam between the Sunni and Shia sects.
• Tensions also arose as the result of the creation of multi-national empires where different ethnic groups struggled for power.
• The creation of an enormous empire led to struggles between the secular and religious leaders about how the empire should be administered.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
“Political change was the most significant result of medieval battles”. With reference to two of the following battles: Hastings (1066), Manzikert (1071), Hattin (1187), Bouvines (1214), Poitiers (1356), to what extent do you agree with this statement?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must consider the merits or otherwise of the assertion that the most significant result of medieval battles was that they led to political change. Using two of the named examples, candidates may choose to agree, partially agree or disagree with the statement; however opinions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument. While the focus of the question will be political, there may also be discussion of the dynastic, military, economic and social impact where relevant.
Indicative content
Hastings
• The Battle of Hastings eliminated the Anglo-Saxon kings of England. These were replaced by William I who established a new Norman dynasty.
• The military technology of the mounted warrior became supreme.
• English government was altered to increase royal power.
• The Anglo-Saxon population lost economic and political status.
Manzikert
• Manzikert was a major defeat and loss of power and territory for the Byzantines in Anatolia.
• It threatened the existence of Byzantium and provoked the call for help to Western Europe.
• The battle encouraged the Papacy to launch the First Crusade to aid Byzantium against Islam but also reduced Byzantine influence in the Christian world.
• It threatened Christian pilgrimage routes to the Holy Land.
• It established the Seljuks as the premier Islamic power.
Hattin
• The loss of Jerusalem was a major political and territorial defeat for the West.
• Military defeat led to further conquest of territory by Muslim forces.
• It provoked the Third Crusade, unified the Muslim forces under Salah al-Din (Saladin) andincreased Muslim morale.
• It was a psychological blow to the west and diverted crusading elsewhere in Europe; notably to Spain.
• It showed the weakness and division within the Crusader States.
Bouvines
• The French victory at Bouvines established France as the most powerful state in Western Europe.
• The power of Phillip II of France was confirmed and he continued to expand the power of the Capetians over France and eliminate all internal rivals for power.
• The Angevin Empire was ended as France conquered most of their lands on the continent.
• Political change occurred in England as the defeat of Bouvines encouraged unrest against John I leading to Magna Carta.
Poitiers
• Was significant partly due to the technology of war; the mounted knight was supplanted by the foot-soldier archer.
• France was defeated, its king captured and England became the most powerful nation in Europe.
• It led to the Treaty of Bretigny.
• France suffered significant economic devastation.
• England increased its landholding in France and the English economy prospered from its control of French territory.
• France entered a period of internal unrest and central government was weakened.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Examine the political and economic effects of the outcome of one war in either medieval Europe or the Islamic world.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to consider the political and economic changes that ensued from the candidate’s chosen war and uncover the interrelationships between the war and those changes. Candidates may look at both the immediate and longer-term impact of the war.
Indicative content
Political effects
• Territorial and dynastic changes, both negative and positive may be considered.
• The strengthening of the victor’s international profile could be a factor.
• In terms of the Hundred Years War, the impact of changing fortunes in war on internal political stability in both England and France could be discussed.
Economic effects
• Trade routes and the control thereof may be of significance.
• The destruction and/or acquisition of property may also be an issue.
• The loss of revenues and costs, ransoms, indemnities may be deemed to have been significant.
• In terms of the Arab conquests, the acquisition of wealth was substantial.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.