AQA A Level History Breadth Study: Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 (A-level only) November 2020 question paper 7042/1B

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to Spain’s international position in the reign of Philip II.

‘By the time of the death of Isabella in 1504, Ferdinand and Isabella had successfully restored and consolidated royal authority in Spain.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent did Charles V’s foreign policies in Europe strengthen Spain in the years 1529 to 1556?

‘Philip II was an absolute monarch.’

Assess the validity of this view.