2025 AQA A-Level HISTORY 7042/1B
Component 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
Friday 23 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/1B.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The development of Spanish industry took second place to trade and commerce during
Isabella and Ferdinand’s reigns. Traditional industries like leather, soap, iron and
shipbuilding continued to grow, but silk and textile production declined, which was largely
due to government policies. Granada was the main supplier of silk. However, the
conquest of Granada in 1492, and subsequent persecution of its Muslim inhabitants, led 5
to falling silk production levels due to skilled workers leaving the region. The cloth
industry was also damaged by the persecution of conversos and the expulsion of Jews in
the 1490s and the consequent loss of skilled craftspeople, merchants and investors.
Isabella and Ferdinand failed to promote native industries and relied too much on
exporting raw wool instead of developing the Spanish textile industry. Insufficient 10
financial support was given to the wine, ceramics and shipbuilding industries. Although
there were examples of economic growth as a result of Isabella and Ferdinand’s
economic policies, the Spanish economy had weaknesses. Many of these resulted from
the Crown’s economic decision-making.
Adapted from G Woodward, Spain in the Reigns of Isabella and Ferdinand, 1474–1516,
1997
Extract B
Isabella and Ferdinand sought to increase their wealth as a means of increasing their
power. They encouraged activities such as trade and commerce, which were an
important source of revenue for the Crown and country. This was most obvious in their
promotion of the Mesta, the organisation which controlled Castilian sheep-farming and
wool marketing. Isabella and Ferdinand aggressively promoted wool exports and 5
devoted much of Castile’s energies and resources to sheep-farming. The monarchs
recognised that the Mesta had the potential to be financially rewarding and was relatively
easy to control, with a ready-made and widespread organisation. Actions were taken by
both monarchs to reduce corruption and a uniform rate of taxes for grazing and herding
sheep was imposed throughout the country. Wool production was not only a direct 10
source of exports but was also important for Spanish cloth manufacturing, and there was
probably an overall rise in the output of cloth. Although such actions positively impacted
Spanish trade, imports remained higher than exports throughout the period.
Adapted from F Fernández-Armesto, Ferdinand and Isabella, 1975
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1B
, 3
Extract C
New World territories were by far the most important lands acquired by Spain under
Isabella and Ferdinand because of their growing economic significance after the death of
Isabella. Nearly half a million ounces of gold were drawn yearly from the mines of
Hispaniola alone. The pearl fisheries and sugar-cane introduced from Spain’s
New World territories also brought in much money. The enslavement of indigenous 5
people for labour increased profits, at least after the death of Isabella who had intervened
to prevent such practices. Ferdinand had been granted half the amount of New World
revenues. Recognising the potential for wealth generation, he continued to fund further
exploration after Isabella’s death, acquiring an important supply of precious metals as
well as plentiful fertile lands on which to grow crops for trade with Spain. Despite these 10
benefits, funding New World exploration was expensive for the Crown and government.
New World wealth had a greater impact for individual conquistadores, many of whom
returned to Spain wealthy men after voyages to the New World.
Adapted from WH Prescott, History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic,
1837
0 1 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.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1B Turn over ►
Component 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
Friday 23 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/1B.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The development of Spanish industry took second place to trade and commerce during
Isabella and Ferdinand’s reigns. Traditional industries like leather, soap, iron and
shipbuilding continued to grow, but silk and textile production declined, which was largely
due to government policies. Granada was the main supplier of silk. However, the
conquest of Granada in 1492, and subsequent persecution of its Muslim inhabitants, led 5
to falling silk production levels due to skilled workers leaving the region. The cloth
industry was also damaged by the persecution of conversos and the expulsion of Jews in
the 1490s and the consequent loss of skilled craftspeople, merchants and investors.
Isabella and Ferdinand failed to promote native industries and relied too much on
exporting raw wool instead of developing the Spanish textile industry. Insufficient 10
financial support was given to the wine, ceramics and shipbuilding industries. Although
there were examples of economic growth as a result of Isabella and Ferdinand’s
economic policies, the Spanish economy had weaknesses. Many of these resulted from
the Crown’s economic decision-making.
Adapted from G Woodward, Spain in the Reigns of Isabella and Ferdinand, 1474–1516,
1997
Extract B
Isabella and Ferdinand sought to increase their wealth as a means of increasing their
power. They encouraged activities such as trade and commerce, which were an
important source of revenue for the Crown and country. This was most obvious in their
promotion of the Mesta, the organisation which controlled Castilian sheep-farming and
wool marketing. Isabella and Ferdinand aggressively promoted wool exports and 5
devoted much of Castile’s energies and resources to sheep-farming. The monarchs
recognised that the Mesta had the potential to be financially rewarding and was relatively
easy to control, with a ready-made and widespread organisation. Actions were taken by
both monarchs to reduce corruption and a uniform rate of taxes for grazing and herding
sheep was imposed throughout the country. Wool production was not only a direct 10
source of exports but was also important for Spanish cloth manufacturing, and there was
probably an overall rise in the output of cloth. Although such actions positively impacted
Spanish trade, imports remained higher than exports throughout the period.
Adapted from F Fernández-Armesto, Ferdinand and Isabella, 1975
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1B
, 3
Extract C
New World territories were by far the most important lands acquired by Spain under
Isabella and Ferdinand because of their growing economic significance after the death of
Isabella. Nearly half a million ounces of gold were drawn yearly from the mines of
Hispaniola alone. The pearl fisheries and sugar-cane introduced from Spain’s
New World territories also brought in much money. The enslavement of indigenous 5
people for labour increased profits, at least after the death of Isabella who had intervened
to prevent such practices. Ferdinand had been granted half the amount of New World
revenues. Recognising the potential for wealth generation, he continued to fund further
exploration after Isabella’s death, acquiring an important supply of precious metals as
well as plentiful fertile lands on which to grow crops for trade with Spain. Despite these 10
benefits, funding New World exploration was expensive for the Crown and government.
New World wealth had a greater impact for individual conquistadores, many of whom
returned to Spain wealthy men after voyages to the New World.
Adapted from WH Prescott, History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic,
1837
0 1 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.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/1B Turn over ►
