AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
To what extent did Spain become a ‘Great Power’?
Full specification wording
1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598 (A-level only) – consequence in this period through the following key questions:: To what extent did Spain become a ‘Great Power’?
Evaluating Spain’s emergence as a 'Great Power' between 1469 and 1598 requires analysing its military, economic, and territorial expansion alongside its inherent vulnerabilities.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 6
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Evaluating Spain’s emergence as a 'Great Power' between 1469 and 1598 requires analysing its military, economic, and territorial expansion alongside its inherent vulnerabilities. However, to address 'to what extent', this must be weighed against internal weaknesses, such as reliance on bullion which caused inflation, repeated state bankruptcies, and the overextension of military commitments in the Netherlands and against the Ottoman Empire. A nuanced judgement should consider whether Spain's power was an enduring reality or a fragile facade.
What earns the marks
- Define 'Great Power' in a 16th-century context, referencing territorial size, military strength, and diplomatic influence.
- Evaluate the contribution of the New World empire to Spain's international standing and economic resources.
- Analyse the impact of European commitments under Charles V and Philip II on Spain's military dominance and financial stability.
- Assess the limitations of Spanish power, including economic crises, inflation, and the structural weaknesses of a composite monarchy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming Spain's wealth from the Americas guaranteed absolute power.
Put it right: Acknowledge that bullion imports led to severe inflation and failed to prevent multiple state bankruptcies.
Treating Spain as a fully unified, modern nation-state.
Put it right: Recognise Spain as a composite monarchy where regional privileges (fueros) limited central authority and resource extraction.
Ignoring the chronological development of power.
Put it right: Distinguish between the foundational power under the Catholic Monarchs and the imperial overstretch under Philip II.
Exam tips
- Establish clear criteria for what constitutes a 'Great Power' in your introduction to anchor your evaluation.
- Balance evidence of Spanish dominance, such as the Battle of Lepanto, with evidence of vulnerability, like the Armada's failure.
- Use the concept of 'imperial overstretch' to explain how Spain's vast territories became a strategic and financial burden.
Try the lesson
The start of the 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598 (A-level only) – consequence in this period through the following key questions:: To what extent did Spain become a ‘Great Power’? lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following developments most directly provided the financial resources that underpinned Spain's emergence as a 'Great Power' during the sixteenth century?
Listen
Evaluating Spain’s emergence as a 'Great Power' between 1469 and 1598 requires analysing its military, economic, and territorial expansion alongside its inherent vulnerabilities. However, to address 'to what extent', this must be weighed against internal weaknesses, such as reliance on bullion which caused inflation, repeated state bankruptcies, and the overextension of military commitments in the Netherlands and against the Ottoman Empire. A nuanced judgement should consider whether Spain's power was an enduring reality or a fragile facade. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Define 'Great Power' in a 16th-century context, referencing territorial size, military strength, and diplomatic influence. Evaluate the contribution of the New World empire to Spain's international standing and economic resources. Analyse the impact of European commitments under Charles V and Philip II on Spain's military dominance and financial stability. Assess the limitations of Spanish power, including economic crises, inflation, and the structural weaknesses of a composite monarchy. A common slip: Assuming Spain's wealth from the Americas guaranteed absolute power. Instead, Acknowledge that bullion imports led to severe inflation and failed to prevent multiple state bankruptcies. Exam tip: Establish clear criteria for what constitutes a 'Great Power' in your introduction to anchor your evaluation.
See it
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