June 2007
Sources – Reputation as Champion of Catholicism
 Assess how far it was Philip II’s personal weakness that most undermined his attempt to exercise absolute power.
 To what extent was Philip II’s foreign policy aggressively imperialist?
January 2007
Sources – Foreign Policy Inconsistency
 Assess how effectively Philip II controlled the administration of mainland Spain.
 To what extent did Philip II’s relationship with the Spanish Church place his own authority above his religious duties?
June 2006
Sources – Finance – Philip to Blame?
 Assess how far Philip II’s foreign policy followed a consistent strategy.
 How effectively did the Spanish Inquisition fulfil its role in mainland Spain during the reign of Philip II?
January 2006
Sources - Foreign Policy – Decline relations with England
 Assess the extent to which the Revolt in the Netherlands was caused by Philip II’s reaction to the spread of Calvinism there during the period 1555-1572.
 Assess how far Philip II’s problems in governing mainland Spain were due to the Spanish administrative system.
June 2005
 To what extent was Philip’s foreign policy in the Mediterranean similar to that in Northern Europe?
 How far did Philip fulfil his duties as the Catholic King in his dealings with the Spanish Church and the Papacy?
January 2005
 Assess how much control Philip had over the provinces of mainland Spain.

How far do you agree that the annexation of Portugal was the greatest triumph of Philip’s foreign policy?
June 2004
 How far did Philip live up to his reputation as the Prudent King in governing mainland Spain?
 Assess how far religion was the factor that determined Philip’s policy towards the Netherlands?
January 2004
 Most catholic king?
 Foreign policy - prestige
June 2003
Sources – Dutch Revolt
 Discuss why Philip II was unable to solve Spain’s financial problems.

 Assess how far Philip II’s treatment of the Moriscos was consistent with his religious policy within Spain.
January 2003
Sources – Philip’s power over Spain
 How far did the reign of Philip II strengthen the Spanish Church?
 Discuss the view that Philip II’s foreign policy was inconsistent
January 2002
Sources – Role of Inquisition
 Was it Philip’s indecisiveness or his determination that caused more problems in his ruling of Spain?
 If Philip II had died in 1584, would his foreign policy have been considered a success?