| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 9 | Reference code | 19M.1.BP.TZ0.8 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | To what extent | Question number | 8 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The sources and questions relate to case study 1: The final stages of Muslim rule in Spain — Key events and actors: the Granada War and the conquest of Granada (1482–1492).
Source E
Joseph O’Callaghan, a professor of medieval history, writing in the academic book The Last Crusade in the West: Castile and the Conquest of Granada (2014).
The Castilian struggle to defeat the emirate of Granada was essentially a war of religions. In making that statement I do not mean to exclude other more material motives … Kings and emirs fought over boundaries, the possession of castles and lands, and economic resources. The contrast between fertile areas in Nasrid Granada and unproductive lands in certain Castilian regions surely drew the attention of the Castilian monarchs. Access to the Mediterranean and control of the straits of Gibraltar were also attractions. Greed and the desire for riches led to border raids by both sides. Plunder [items seized] in the form of livestock, jewels, and other goods, as well as people who were to be enslaved, enriched both Christians and Muslims. All those political and economic reasons are valid and were always in play. Nevertheless, I suggest that the struggle was ultimately a conflict between two societies, one Christian, the other Muslim. Each society was shaped by the spirit of a distinctive religion.
[Source: Joseph O’Callaghan, The Last Crusade in the West: Castile and the Conquest of Granada (2014), p. 226.
Reprinted with permission of the University of Pennsylvania Press.]
Source F
Hernando del Pulgar, an official royal chronicler, writing in the Chronicle of the Castilian Kings (c1492).
In the month of December [1491], not having enough provisions left, the citizens of Granada requested a meeting with the Christians. The negotiations lasted thirty days and on 30 December, the Moors surrendered the fortresses held by their king [Abu Abdallah]—the most important of which was the Alhambra—to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The terms of the treaty allowed the Moors to keep their religion and property, as well as other privileges. The Moors also gave concessions [to the Christians] and, to guarantee the surrender of the fortresses and of all their weapons, many of Granada’s most important citizens were handed over as hostages …
On Saturday, King Abu Abdallah gathered his counsellors, as well as those in the city who were rioting. He spoke to pacify them, explaining that the time for rioting had passed, because they no longer had the supplies to resist the Christian siege. Since they had no hope of help and had given hostages, resistance would bring harm rather than any remedy …
King Abu Abdallah wrote to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to give assurance that he would comply with the terms of surrender, advising that it be carried out as soon as possible.
Reading this, on 2 January, the king and queen led their army to Granada … The Moorish king came out to surrender the keys of the city.
Source G
Carlos Luis de Ribera y Fieve, a Spanish painter, depicts the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella and their entourage on the edge of Granada in the historical scene entitled La conquista de Granada (The Conquest of Granada) (1890).
[Source: Album / Alamy Stock Photo]
Source H
Andrew Hess, a professor specializing in Islamic civilization, writing in the academic book The Forgotten Frontier: A History of the Sixteenth-Century Ibero-African Frontier (2010).
Expansion attracted to the edge of Muslim territories an aggressive and upwardly mobile [socially ambitious] element from Christian society. Everywhere there were those who wished to take the possessions of the defeated [Muslims] and acquire the prestige that would legitimize their newfound wealth and power in the presence [minds] of the older Spanish nobility. In fifteenth-century Castile the distinguishing traits [characteristics] of these frontiersmen were a warriorlike attitude towards non-Christians and a pride in the purity of their own Christian ancestry. When, like the Jews, men from the Muslim upper classes converted and somehow managed to retain their social standing and wealth, they limited the opportunities of Old Christians who wished to acquire new status and wealth … Conversely, the desertion of former Muslim leaders in an hour of need angered the members of the community they had left.
[Source: Andrew Hess, The Forgotten Frontier: A History of the Sixteenth-Century Ibero-African Frontier (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010)]
Using the sources and your own knowledge, to what extent do you agree that the fall of Granada was caused by internal weaknesses in Granada?
Markscheme
Apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and award credit wherever it is possible to do so. The following material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. While it is expected that there will be coverage of at least two of the sources, candidates are not required to refer to all four sources in their responses.
Indicative content
Source E
Focuses on other motivations, discussing the political and economic significance of Granada, which suggests that there were strong motivations for the Christians to expand their interests into the region.
Source F
Describes the internal difficulties faced by the king and the population of Granada who, after a long siege and without supplies, surrendered the city to the Christians. It suggests there were riots and different opinions within the Muslim side because of the king´s decision to capitulate.
Source G
Suggests that there were weaknesses within Muslim society as there are Moors present in the Spaniards’ camp. However, it also shows that there were diverse elements of society, for example, religious and military groups, who were interested in the fall of Granada.
Source H
States that the Castilian expansion over the south attracted aggressive elements from Christian society in search of wealth and prestige. It also considers that the desertion from Islam of former leaders increased the difficulties faced by Muslims.
Own knowledge
Considering the situation in Granada, candidates may offer further analysis on the internal struggles affecting the kingdom, for example the fight between Abu Abdallah and al-Zagal, the struggle for the succession to the throne, and the vassalage to Castile that weakened its economy. Candidates may also refer to the complex relationship between Granada and African rulers that made it difficult for Abu Abdallah to obtain military support.
To challenge the question, other factors may be considered, such as the importance of the Catholic kings’ policies in achieving a united front against the Muslim rulers. Candidates may also consider the contributions of troops, funds, loans and artillery made by Castile and Aragon for the war, and the continuous seasonal campaigns that, between 1482 and 1492, allowed for the conquest of Ronda, Malaga, Baza and Almeria. Candidates may also discuss the pillaging carried out in frontier lands that debilitated Granada and reduced its supplies.
Examiners report
As noted above, it was pleasing to find that many candidates offered a developed response for the final question. In addition, most responses were focused on the set question and had made some reference to, or use of, the sources to support the analysis. However, there were responses that lacked development which may suggest some continued issues with time management. Some candidates did not include any own knowledge to support their analysis, and conversely, a notable number responded relying only on their own knowledge and without reference to the sources at all. There were also responses that tended to list the content of each source without reference to the question. A few candidates wrote extensively on background material at the expense of a full discussion of the set question.
