Question
Evaluate the importance of leadership in determining the outcome of two Early Modern wars.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the role of leadership as it influenced the outcome of two Early Modern wars. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two wars chosen need not have occurred at the same time and they may or may not be chosen from the same region. One or more leaders may be chosen for each war, if applicable. Alternatively, where the same leader(s) fought in two wars, the impact of their leadership on the outcome of each war, may be evaluated. Candidates may compare such factors as personal attributes/skills, military planning, the use of technology or they may collectively weigh the importance of other factors such as terrain or natural conditions that affected the outcome of war. Each war may be considered separately or a thematic approach adopted to weigh the strengths and limitations of leadership in relation to each relevant factor.
Question
Evaluate the social and religious impact of one Early Modern war.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the social as well as the religious impact of one war taken from the period. Depending on the links made, it may also be permissible for the impact of the war to extend beyond the timeframe. Candidates may interpret “impact” as referring to events that occurred as the war was being fought as well as when the war itself was over but its repercussions were being felt. Examples chosen may allow for an evaluation of possible ways in which the war had an impact and these may include the institutionalization of religion, the replacement of one form of worship by another, social upheaval and/or the spread of disease by marauding armies. Arguments will consider the changes brought about by war and consider the strength and limitations of the factors indicated.
Question
“The expansion of early modern colonial empires was motivated by economic factors.” Discuss with reference to two early modern colonial empires.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the hypothesis with reference made to two early modern colonial empires. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two colonial empires need not be contemporaneous. Further, the two colonial empires may or may not be chosen from different regions. Candidates must identify the reasons why the colonial empires expanded, and gauge the importance of economic factors in this context. Candidates may determine that economic factors were the most significant motivation in one or both states or, alternatively, argue that other factors were of equal or more importance in one or both states. Each colonial empire may be considered separately or a thematic approach may be used if candidates choose to address the impact of a range of factors on the candidates’ chosen colonial empires.
Question
“The expansion of early modern colonial empires was motivated by economic factors.” Discuss with reference to two early modern colonial empires.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the hypothesis with reference made to two early modern colonial empires. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two colonial empires need not be contemporaneous. Further, the two colonial empires may or may not be chosen from different regions. Candidates must identify the reasons why the colonial empires expanded, and gauge the importance of economic factors in this context. Candidates may determine that economic factors were the most significant motivation in one or both states or, alternatively, argue that other factors were of equal or more importance in one or both states. Each colonial empire may be considered separately or a thematic approach may be used if candidates choose to address the impact of a range of factors on the candidates’ chosen colonial empires.