Remember: you pick 1 prompt of 3 to write about. You will do this twice. FRQ Structure: Paragraph 1 - Thesis – 3 pts you’re going to prove Paragraph 2 – Point A – 3 Historical Facts Paragraph 3 – Point B – 3 Historical Facts Paragraph 4 – Point C – 3 Historical Facts E.G. - FRQ QUESTION from 2011: Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the Period 1450-1550. THESIS During the one hundred year span between 1450 and 1550 Spain came together to become one the world’s strongest empires while Italy remained a divided land until 1861. The origins of Spain’s emergence is most likely from the union of its realms, Aragon with Castile, by the marriage of their respective monarchs Ferdinand and Isabelle. From that point, Spain secured its own borders while establishing the world wide dominant empire of the age. On the other hand, Italy remained weak from numerous infighting of its prosperous city-states controlled by powerful and despotic family dynasties. Italy attempts to unify in 1498, but is invaded by foreigners such as Spain. PARAGRAPH 1 – Point A The two most power Spanish kingdoms were politically unified through the marriage of Isabelle (Kingdom of Castille) and Ferdinand (Aragon). This left Portugal, Catolonia, and Granada as the main kingdoms not integrated under their banner. To unify the country internally, Ferdinand and Isabella launched a military campaing in Granada against its Moorish/Muslim/Moriscoe inhabitants. With Granada conquered the monarchs imported the Spanish Inquisiton to deal with heresy. On the surface its appeared to be a religious crusade, but it was really used against Spain’s internal enemies and economic threats. It is no coincidence that Spains Jews and Muslims – who had traded and lived in peace for generations were targeted. The Inquisitions brutality created an aura fear for any defiance against the Catholic Monarchs. PARAGRAPH 2 – Point B With its border secured, Spain began to sponsor voyages around Africa and across the Atlantic. With Columbus’s “discovery” of America brought economic and territorial opportunities for Ferdinand and Isabella. During this time period, Spanish conquistadors began to pillage and plummet the native populations while planting the Spanish flag. With gold and silver piling in the Spanish treasury the monarchs could easily pay large armies to fight against its neighbors, mainly the French while subjugating its internal kingdoms of Portugal and Catalonia. Also it made it easier to crush any resistance to the heavy taxes levied on the Spanish peasants. PARAGRAPH 3 – POINT C While Spain grew Italy remained broken and divided. The Italian peninsula was dominated by large city states such as Florence, Venice, Milan, the Papal States, and Naples. Throw in a few other city states like Genoa, Bologna, Tuscany and you have quite the mosaic. Each of these city states was ruled by some sort of wealthy family (Borgias, Sforzas, Medicis, Strozzis) who used the people to their own ends. Alliances and squabbling kept these city states forever divided. Another factor was the actions of the Popes. Still viewing himself as a political force rather than just spiritual guide, he always instigated conflict by allying with various European monarchs against the city states for his own ends. The one attempt to for the city states to unify was at the Peace of Lodi and Italian League as France and The Holy Roman Empire engaged in a brutal war in Italy. This union was short lived as its members began fighting amongst themselves. This is paper is off the top of my head is pretty vague, but in their desperation for good FRQs Id say the College Board would score this a 7 or 8 7 X 2.75 = 19.25 pts toward my overall score .