AQA A Level History Breadth Study: Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 (A-level only) June 2023 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 foreign policy.

‘In the years 1478 to 1516, the Spanish Crown successfully achieved control over Spanish society.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘By 1556, the domestic policies of Charles V’s government had greatly strengthened the Spanish Crown.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was the failure of Philip II’s financial policies due to the mismanagement of Spain’s overseas empire?