| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 21N.1.BP.TZ0.1 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | What | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Source A Paul Lococo Jr, an historian specializing in Chinese military history, writing in the academic book Genghis Khan: History’s Greatest Empire Builder (2008).
As we have seen already, alliances on the steppes were almost always fragile, as leaders wanted to gain benefits for themselves and their clans, as well as protection from other Mongol alliances. Over the years, Chinggis [Genghis Khan] demonstrated military and political skill, and he also acquired a reputation as a fair judge. His image was greatly enhanced through the use of shamans [spiritual leaders] who spread tales of omens favourable to Chinggis. The tribes often conducted successful raids, and Chinggis changed the way in which the rewards of the raids were divided. Traditionally, the various tribe and clan leaders divided the goods they had taken. Chinggis required that all plunder be placed in a common pile, and he then distributed it between the leaders, who in turn rewarded their followers. In this way, Chinggis not only created a better means of dividing the rewards of war, but he also emphasized his own supreme leadership. All rewards were granted by Chinggis, thus reinforcing his role as leader and his direct connection with the common Mongol soldier.
[Source: Adapted from Genghis Khan: History’s Greatest Empire Builder by Paul Lococo, Jr, by permission of the
University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 2008 by Paul Lococo, Jr. Published by Potomac Books, Inc.]
Source D
A map depicting the military campaigns of Genghis Khan.
[Source: Bkkbrad, 2019. Map of the Campaigns of Genghis Khan. [image online] Available at: https://www.ancient.eu/image/11221/map-of-the-campaigns-of-genghis-khan/ Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [Accessed 11 December 2020]. Adapted.]
Why, according to Source A, was Genghis Khan a successful leader?
What does Source D suggest about the military campaigns under the leadership of Genghis Khan?
Markscheme
- Genghis had military and political skill, and also had a reputation as a fair judge.
- He created a better way of dividing plunder among the tribes.
- Genghis used the shamans to spread tales to enhance his image.
- He had a direct connection with the common Mongol soldiers.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [3].
- Genghis Khan’s many campaigns led to a significant expansion of his Empire.
- The campaigns spread out from a central base.
- Genghis Khan also conducted campaigns reaching as far as Korea in the east and the Russian Principalities in the west.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [2].
Examiners report
As has been the case in previous sessions, many candidates succeeded in identifying three valid points from the source. However, also as in previous sessions, a number of responses either rolled points together, or repeated or reworded the same point. Candidates should be reminded that three separate points are required for full marks and these should be derived from the content of the source rather than background knowledge.
There were several possible valid points to be made from the visual source. The vast majority of candidates offered at least one clear point with regards to what the source suggested. Candidates should be guided to look for different elements and dynamics in the pictorial sources and to offer two distinct points.
