Examine the impact of territorial expansion on the political organization of two Early Modern states.

The question requires that candidates consider the interrelationship between the impact of territorial expansion and political organization. The two Early Modern states may or may not be from the same region. The impact may extend beyond the timeframe but it must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the attempts to centralize the political system or increase bureaucracy, for example, in the Spanish colonial system and the creation of new officials such as viceroys, corregidores or visitadores. They may also refer to the empowerment of some groups, for example the Emirs’ power in the Ajuran Sultanate. Candidates may argue that some colonial empires gave some administrative independence to the colonies or provinces. Other aspects may be considered, for example changes in the social status of officials, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the interrelationship between the impact of territorial expansion and the political organization of two Early Modern states. There were very few responses seen.