“Economic ambition was the most significant reason for Christian opposition to the Muslim states in Spain.” Discuss.

This question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Christian opposition to Muslim states in Spain was mainly driven by economic ambition. While it is likely that most candidates may focus largely, or entirely, on the economic ambitions of the Christian powers, some candidates may also argue that the Christian response was a reaction to the economic achievements of the Muslim states. Candidates may fully or partially agree with the statement or they may argue that other factors were more significant. Nevertheless, the key issue of the question—economic ambition—must be fully addressed and may include factors such as the increasing pursuit of the tribute in frontier lands and the repartimiento of Muslim lands. Factors other than economic ambition may include the focus on religious identity (which provided opportunities for cooperation between the Christian kingdoms and stimulated the reimagining of political unity) and the decline of the Muslim states, particularly Al-Andalus, which experienced political disunity over time.