Discuss the importance of religion in causing the outbreak of two wars, each chosen from a different region.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of religion in causing the outbreak of two wars in the period. The two wars must be from different regions. The causes discussed may predate the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the importance of religion in causing the outbreak of wars between 750–1500. Candidates may discuss the attempts to forcibly impose religion on others or attempts at conversion as a cause of war. They may discuss the importance of religion in driving the conquest of distant territories and religious conflict during expansion and conquest, for example in the Crusades. Candidates may also discuss religious conflicts or tensions emerging from neighbouring regions/states, for example in reference to the origins of the Byzantine–Seljuq Wars (1048–1308). Efforts to defend religious practices and beliefs may also be discussed as a cause of war, for example the resistance to the Crusades under the leadership of Nur al-Din. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of religion in causing the outbreak of two wars in the period. Very few responses were seen.