“The relationship between religious and political powers was mutually beneficial.” Discuss with reference to two pre-Columbian societies.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the relationship between religious and political powers in pre-Columbian societies was mutually beneficial. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the two societies, or they may prioritize their evaluation of one of them. However, both societies will be a feature of the response. Candidates may discuss the part played by religious authorities in state affairs or the role played by religion to justify territorial expansion. They may argue that religious power benefitted from the political conquest of other societies by, for example, expanding a religion or gaining prisoners for human sacrifices. They may claim that religious temples and sacred cities were physical evidence of the political power of a society. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example how the theocratic nature of political power provided political stability. 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 relationship between religious and political powers in pre-Columbian societies was mutually beneficial. This was seldom chosen and, with a few exceptions, mostly produced essays dominated by unsupported generalizations.