History 7041 Paper 1A June 2022, AQA AS-Level Past Papers with Mark Schemes

The exam paper focuses on "The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204," emphasizing the Crusader states and Outremer, c1071–1149. Section A examines Zengi’s role in Islamic political and military strategies, exploring his leadership style, alliances, and the religious context of his actions. Section B includes debates on motivations behind Western Europeans’ travels to the Near East (1085–1097), such as wealth-seeking versus other factors, and evaluates the impact of Byzantine relations on Crusader state weaknesses (1098–1119). The paper emphasizes historical analysis, interpretive comparison, and the critical assessment of causes and outcomes in Crusader history.