Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 1 Changing geographical reach of…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 1 Changing geographical reach of Spanish power: Extending influence to the north and west, 1474–1598: building an empire in the New World, the significance of northern Europe and Portugal (key developments: Columbus’s first voyage 1492, the impact of Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs 1521, Pizarro's conquest of the Incas 1532, the marriage to Mary Tudor 1554 and her death 1558, the revolt in the Netherlands 1572, the conquest of Portugal 1580).
Spain extended influence north and west through empire, marriage and conquest.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Spain extended influence north and west through empire, marriage and conquest. Columbus's first voyage in 1492 opened the New World, while Cortés's conquest of the Aztecs in 1521 and Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in 1532 brought vast territories and wealth. The marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 tied Spain to England, but her death in 1558 ended that union. The revolt in the Netherlands in 1572 challenged Spanish authority in northern Europe, and the conquest of Portugal in 1580 added a global empire. These developments show how Spain built and struggled to maintain a worldwide reach.
What earns the marks
- Explains how Columbus's first voyage in 1492 initiated Spanish exploration and claims in the New World.
- Analyses the impact of Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs in 1521 on Spanish imperial expansion and wealth.
- Assesses Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in 1532 as a further extension of Spanish empire in the Americas.
- Evaluates the significance of the marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 and her death in 1558 for Spain's influence in northern Europe.
- Discusses the revolt in the Netherlands in 1572 as a major challenge to Spanish authority in the north.
- Explains the conquest of Portugal in 1580 as a means of extending Spanish influence westward and globally.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the marriage to Mary Tudor as a permanent union of England and Spain.
Put it right: Note that the marriage ended with Mary's death in 1558 and did not produce a lasting dynastic union.
Assuming the conquest of Portugal in 1580 was achieved through a major military campaign.
Put it right: Explain that it followed a succession crisis and was secured with relatively limited force, leading to the Iberian Union.
Confusing the dates of the conquests of the Aztecs and Incas.
Put it right: The Aztecs were conquered in 1521 and the Incas in 1532.
Exam tips
- Use the key developments as chronological markers, but focus on their significance for extending Spanish influence north and west.
- When discussing the New World, link exploration and conquest to the building of an empire and its impact on Spain's power.
- For northern Europe and Portugal, consider both successes and challenges, such as the Dutch revolt and the acquisition of Portugal.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 1 Changing geographical reach of Spanish power: Extending influence to the north and west, 1474–1598: building an empire in the New World, the significance of northern Europe and Portugal (key developments: Columbus’s first voyage 1492, the impact of Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs 1521, Pizarro's conquest of the Incas 1532, the marriage to Mary Tudor 1554 and her death 1558, the revolt in the Netherlands 1572, the conquest of Portugal 1580). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the significance of Philip II's marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 for Spain's influence in northern Europe?
Listen
Spain extended influence north and west through empire, marriage and conquest. Columbus's first voyage in 1492 opened the New World, while Cortés's conquest of the Aztecs in 1521 and Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in 1532 brought vast territories and wealth. The marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 tied Spain to England, but her death in 1558 ended that union. The revolt in the Netherlands in 1572 challenged Spanish authority in northern Europe, and the conquest of Portugal in 1580 added a global empire. These developments show how Spain built and struggled to maintain a worldwide reach. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how Columbus's first voyage in 1492 initiated Spanish exploration and claims in the New World. Analyses the impact of Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs in 1521 on Spanish imperial expansion and wealth. Assesses Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in 1532 as a further extension of Spanish empire in the Americas. Evaluates the significance of the marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 and her death in 1558 for Spain's influence in northern Europe. A common slip: Treating the marriage to Mary Tudor as a permanent union of England and Spain. Instead, note that the marriage ended with Mary's death in 1558 and did not produce a lasting dynastic union. Exam tip: Use the key developments as chronological markers, but focus on their significance for extending Spanish influence north and west.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Pizarro's conquest of the Incas
- 2. Marriage to Mary Tudor
- 3. Revolt in the Netherlands
- 4. Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs
- 5. Columbus's first voyage
- 6. Conquest of Portugal
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Building an empire in the New World
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Significance of northern Europe
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Significance of Portugal
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Extension of Spanish influence to the north and west
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Building an empire in the New World
- Spanish exploration and claims in the New World began with Columbus's first voyage in 1492 and were extended by the conquests of the Aztecs and Incas.
- Significance of northern Europe
- The marriage to Mary Tudor in 1554 tied Spain to England, but her death in 1558 ended that union, and the revolt in the Netherlands in 1572 challenged Spanish authority in the north.
- Significance of Portugal
- The conquest of Portugal in 1580 added a global empire and extended Spanish influence westward and globally.
- Extension of Spanish influence to the north and west
- Spain extended influence north and west through empire, marriage and conquest, building and struggling to maintain a worldwide reach.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 1 Changing geographical reach of Spanish power: Extending influence to the north and west, 1474–1598: building an empire in the New World, the significance of northern Europe and Portugal (key developments: Columbus’s first voyage 1492, the impact of Cortés and the conquest of the Aztecs 1521, Pizarro's conquest of the Incas 1532, the marriage to Mary Tudor 1554 and her death 1558, the revolt in the Netherlands 1572, the conquest of Portugal 1580).
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