To what extent did mercenaries have an impact on the outcome of two wars?

The question requires that candidates make a balanced review of the role of mercenaries in the outcome of two wars, weighing up their importance or otherwise. The two wars may or may not be from the same region and they may or may not have been contemporaneous with each other. Candidates may review the impact of mercenaries in the Dutch War of Independence, and Gustav II Adolf’s largely mercenary army in the Thirty Years’ War. They may also review the role of Portuguese mercenaries in the Burmese–Siamese War (1547-1549) and Ethiopian–Adal War (1529–1543). It would be valid to comment on wars where mercenaries played little part, such as the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592–1598). While other relevant factors that affected the outcome of wars may be referred to, such as tactics, logistics or numerical superiority, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.

The question required candidates to make a balanced review of the role of mercenaries in the outcome of two wars, weighing up their importance or otherwise.