Answer:
“The ways in which nations waged war from 1500 to 1648 and in the period 1750−1871 were
similar in that alliances were a significant factor in wars in both time periods, but they differed
because 16th−17th century wars were primarily religious while 18th-19th century wars were
politically and economically motivated.” (Addresses both a similarity and a difference and takes a
historically defensible position.)
• “Following the Thirty Years’ War, the reasons behind going to war began to shift from
ecclesiastical to secular. However, regardless of the time period war was seen as a sense of pride
for a nation and brought about unity among the people. While the reasons behind starting war may
have shifted, the nationalist sentiment it sparks in the people has not changed.” (Indicates a shift
in reasons for war as a difference and provides a general but acceptable similarity.)
• “In both time periods, European states waged war for the similar purpose: to stop foreign
aggression and to expand the territory and influence of their own. But they differ significantly in
developments in fighting technologies, such as mobilization, transportation, communication,
weapons, and medicine.” (Though general, thesis provides defensible similarity and difference
between the two periods.)
Examples of unacceptable theses:
• “Priorities and technology have altered the reasons and methods of warfare. From 1800−1871, a
constant in the way war occurs is the presence of a strong, driven leader, and one difference
between war from 1500 to 1648 and 1750 to 1871 is the motivation behind warfare, as earlier
leaders used religion as their motive and later leaders used politics and unification as their
motivation for war.” (Addresses difference, but “strong driven leader” is too general and ahistorical
to receive credit for similarity.)
• “The ways in which European states fought wars between periods 1500−1648 and 1750−1871
differed in the ideology and cause but were the same in terms of devastation and casualty.”
Explanation:
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