“Economic factors were the most important cause of war.” With reference to two early modern wars, each from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important cause of early modern wars was economic factors. The two wars must be from different regions and they may or may not have been contemporaneous. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of both wars, or they may emphasize their assessment of one of them. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to disputes over colonies, competition for resources or access to labour, as economic factors, for example the Ethiopian–Adal War or the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec and Incan empires. While other relevant factors, for example political and religious aspects, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.

The question required candidates to consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important cause of Early Modern wars was economic factors. Each example was to be chosen from a different region.