Essays: Themes only

Question 1

Assess the problems which Philip II inherited from his father

Answer 1

1. Financial problems
2. Growth of Protestantism/ Threat from Islam
3. Foreign Policy
4. Government

Question 2

How far do you agree that Philip was an ‘absolute monarch’ in his rule of Mainland Spain?

Answer 2

1. Ability to execute personal justice
2. Existence of personal rule in a centralised state
3. Absence of institutional mechanisms of government which exert some forms of checks and balances

Question 3

Assess how far Philip II’s problems in governing mainland Spain were due to the Spanish administration system.

Answer 3

1. Spanish Administration system
2. Factionalism
3. Provincialism

Question 4

Assess why Philip was unable to solve Spain’s financial problems.

Answer 4

1. Weak financial system
2. Wars
3. Inherited debts

Question 5

‘The most serious problems Philip II faced in ruling Spain were economic and financial.’ How far do you agree?

Answer 5

1. Economic and financial problems
2. Factions and relations with the nobility
3. Problems of Moriscos and Conversos

Question 6

“The greatest threat that Philip faced to his political authority came from factionalism”. How far do you agree?

Answer 6

1. Factionalism
2. Provincialism
3. Revolts

Question 7

How far do you agree that Philip II was a just ruler?

Answer 7

1. Law
2. Revolts
3. Considering his subjects

Question 8

‘The Moriscos were the most serious internal problem facing Philip II in his rule of Spain.’ How far do you agree?

Answer 8

1. Moriscos
2. Government and councils
3. Factionalism + Provincialism

Question 9

To what extent was Philip to blame for Spain’s financial problems?

Answer 9

1. Role of Philip (Inc. wars)
2. Structural problems with the economy of Spain
3. Inheritance

Question 10

How successful was Philip II’s government of Spain?

Answer 10

1. Centralisation
2. Finances
3. Factions

Question 11

“The most significant influence on Philip’s religious policies was his own personal religious beliefs.” How far do you agree?

Answer 11

1. Philip’s personal beliefs
2. Heresy
3. Foreign policy

Question 12

How healthy was the Spanish Church in 1556?

Answer 12

1. Extent of Heresy
2. Uniformity
3. Relationship with the Crown and the Pope

Question 13

“The Catholic Church in Spain experienced a transformation during the reign of Philip II”. How far do you agree?

Answer 13

1. Quality of the Clergy
2. Religious uniformity
3. Heresy

Question 14

Assess the extent to which the revolt of the Netherlands was caused by Philip’s reaction to the spread of Calvinism there during the period 1555-72.

Answer 14

1. Philip’s reaction to the spread of Calvinism
2. Dutch defense of Political liberties
3. Economic hardships

Question 15

Which individuals were most responsible for causing the outbreak of the Dutch Revolt?

Answer 15

1. William of Orange
2. Margaret of Parma
3. Duke of Alva
4. Role of Philip himself

Question 16

How far was Maurice of Nassau’s leadership the main reason for the success of the Northern provinces by 1598?

Answer 16

1. Maurice of Nassau
2. Philip’s foreign distractions + foreign intervention
3. Failure of Spanish leaders
4. Geography
5. Nature of warfare (sieges)
6. Spanish financial problems

Question 17

How far do you agree that Elizabeth’s decision to openly support the Dutch rebels in 1585 was the most important reason why Spain was unable to defeat the united provinces by 1598?

Answer 17

1. English interference
2. Spanish financial problems
3. Success of Dutch leaders
4. Failure of Spanish leaders

Question 18

How far do you agree that Philip was to blame for the failure to crush the Dutch rebels?

Answer 18

1. Philip himself (Inc. foreign distractions)
2. Spanish leaders in the Netherlands
3. Spanish economic problems

Question 19

Assess the reasons why the Revolt of the Netherlands lasted so long

Answer 19

1. Dutch strengths and leaders
2. Foreign intervention
3. Finance
4. Geography and nature of warfare