| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 21N.1.BP.TZ0.5 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | What | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Source F Theodor de Bry, an engraver, depicts the ransom of gold paid to the Spaniards for the rescue of Atahualpa in a detail from America. Part VI (1596).
[Source: © Luisa Vallon Fumi | Dreamstime.com.]
Source G David P Werlich, a professor of Latin American history, writing in the academic book Peru: A Short History (1978).
On 16 November 1532, Atahualpa accepted an invitation to dine with Francisco Pizarro. Entering the central plaza with a force of 5000 lightly armed men, Atahualpa was boldly attacked and captured by Pizarro and a team of 20 attackers. While the monarch remained in the hands of the Europeans, the emperor’s followers offered little resistance. Atahualpa proposed to buy his freedom with enough gold and silver to fill two rooms. The Spaniards accepted. When the emperor complied with his part of the bargain, however, his captors faced a dilemma. Once free, Atahualpa probably would have commanded his armies to destroy the invaders. Yet, if he remained a prisoner, it seemed likely that his people would attempt a rescue of their god-king. In July 1533, after receiving dubious information that a large Inca force was preparing to attack Cajamarca, the Spaniards accused Atahualpa of treacherously ordering the assault and executed him. While still a prisoner, Atahualpa had ordered the execution of his half-brother Huascar and other claimants to the Inca throne so that they could not profit from the monarch’s distress. At the same time, Atahualpa’s Ecuadorian armies continued to ravage many towns that had supported Huascar. The Spaniards exploited this internal conflict. Posing as champions of the vanquished Cuzco faction, they installed the first of a series of puppet emperors and received the support of many districts.
[Source: Werlich, D.P., 1978. Peru: A Short History. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, pp. 39–40. Adapted.
Copyright © 1978 Southern Illinois University Press.]
What, according to Source G, were the consequences of Atahualpa’s encounter with Francisco Pizarro?
What does Source F suggest about the payment of Atahualpa’s ransom?
Markscheme
- Atahualpa was attacked and captured by Pizarro.
- His followers offered little resistance to the Spaniards.
- Atahualpa proposed to buy his freedom and delivered gold and silver to the Spaniards.
- He was accused of treachery and executed.
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].
- Many Incas helped to transport the massive ransom.
- The ransom consisted of large pieces of gold and valuable items.
- Armed Spaniards controlled the payment of the ransom.
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.
