“The most important effects of Early Modern wars were social.” Discuss with reference to two wars, each chosen from a different region.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the most important effects of war were social. The two wars must be from different regions. Effects may extend beyond the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of two wars, or they may prioritize their assessment of one of them. However, both wars will be a feature of the response. Candidates may assess the effects of major wars such as the Thirty Years’ War (which caused large-scale depopulation) or the Japanese invasions of Korea (which destroyed agricultural communities); they may assess the impact of a colonial war, such as the Spanish Inca War, which also resulted in depopulation and the expansion of an alien colonial class. Candidates may argue that war did not always have a severe social impact; for example, the Dutch “Golden Age”, with its burgeoning middle and merchant classes, began well before the War of Independence had ended. Other relevant economic, religious, political and territorial effects may be addressed, but with a focus on the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the most important effects of war were social. Each war was to be chosen from a different region. There were very few responses seen.