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Date November 2017 Marks available 15 Reference code 17N.3op4.HL.TZ0.07
Level Higher level only Paper Paper 3 (History of Europe) Time zone TZ0
Command term Discuss Question number 07 Adapted from N/A

Question

“The wealth of Italian cities was the most significant factor in the development of the Renaissance.” Discuss.

Markscheme

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of wealth in the development of the Renaissance. Candidates may focus on the comparative importance of a range of Italian cities such as Florence and Milan and assess the significance of their wealth against a range of other factors, for example, the Church, the role of individuals and/or the classical heritage. Wealth allowed for investment in the arts and encouraged originality. Rivalry between the cities also encouraged support for the arts, as rulers commissioned works of art to enhance pride in their cities. There may be some discussion of the role of the Church in commissioning artists. Proximity to the remains of classical antiquity may be considered vital as many ideas were taken from the classical past. The importance of individual artists might be discussed, as it was their innovations that stimulated development.

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe » 4: The Renaissance (c1400–1600) » Origins, causes and development of the Renaissance in Italy; social and political situation in Florence
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe » 4: The Renaissance (c1400–1600)
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe
HL options: first exams 2017

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