Spain in the Age of Discovery

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to Spain’s economy during the reigns of Isabella and Ferdinand in the years 1474 to 1516.

‘Spanish actions in the New World were influenced more by religious motives than desire for economic gain during the reign of King Charles.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent did opposition within Spain weaken Philip II’s royal authority in the years 1556 to 1598?

How successfully did Spain manage its relations with England in the years 1556 to 1598?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to reform of the Church under Philip II.

How far was the Spanish economy strengthened in the years 1492 to 1516?

‘Charles I’s government of Spain showed more continuity than change.’

Assess the validity of this view in the years 1522 to 1556.

How successfully did Philip II deal with the Ottoman threat in the Mediterranean?

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?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to opposition faced by Philip II in the years 1568 to 1598.

‘The economy of Spain was significantly strengthened in the years 1492 to 1516.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent had Charles V achieved religious unity in Spain by 1556?

‘In the years 1571 to 1598, Phillip II failed to achieve his aims in foreign policy.’

Assess the validity of this view.

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.

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?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to Philip II as a ruler.

‘Ferdinand and Isabella failed to deal effectively with domestic challenges to the Spanish Crown.’

Assess the validity of this view of the years 1474 to 1504.

‘Religious dissent was never a serious threat to the Catholic Church in Spain.’

Assess the validity of this view in the years 1517 to 1556.

To what extent was the conquest of Portugal beneficial to Spain in the years 1578 to 1598?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to the importance of American silver from the Indies for Spain.

To what extent was there social and economic change in Spain in the years 1469 to 1516?

‘Charles I established stable and efficient royal government in Spain.’

Assess the validity of this view with reference to the years 1517 to 1555.

‘The religious policies of Philip II were ill-judged and ineffective.’

Assess the validity of this view.