Discuss the causes of the decline of the Silk Road in the 15th century.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the causes of the decline in the Silk Road during the 15th century. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the efficiency and ease of sea transportation of goods facilitated by newly discovered sea routes; the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire, which weakened the political, cultural, and economic unity of the Silk Road; and the impact of the decaying Byzantine Empire and the Black Death, which allowed for land seizures; the consolidation of regional states and decline of nomad power. While other relevant factors, for example the continued existence of some Silk Road routes past the 15th century, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the causes of the decline in the Silk Road during the 15th century. Candidates may have used a chronological approach or a thematic approach to this question and either was valid.