AQA A Level History Breadth Study: Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 (A-level only) June 2019 question paper 7042/1B

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to Philip II’s responsibility for the failure of Spanish policy in the Netherlands in the years 1556 to 1598.

To what extent were Ferdinand and Isabella’s policies against the Muslims a religious crusade?

‘The most important result for Spain, of the discovery of the New World, was increased prosperity.’

Assess the validity of this statement with reference to the years 1519 to 1556.

To what extent were the years 1556 to 1598, both socially and culturally, a Golden Age for Spain?