Vocabulary:

Plot: A secret plan to do something unlawful or harmful.

Conspiracy: A secret agreement between people to do something illegal or harmful.

Regicide: The act of killing a king.

Treason: The crime of betraying one’s country or monarch.

Catholicism: The branch of Christianity that the plotters wanted to restore in England.

Protestant: The branch of Christianity that was dominant in England under James I.

James I: The king of England and Scotland during the time of the Gunpowder Plot, known for his firm stance on religious unity.

Guise: A disguise or false appearance used by the plotters.

Foil: To prevent someone from succeeding in their plan.

Secure: To make something safe from danger or attack.

Source: A document or object that provides information about the past.

Historian: An expert who studies and writes about history.

Concepts:

Religious Conflict: Tensions between different religious groups, which contributed to the Gunpowder Plot.

Treason and Punishment: The legal consequences faced by the conspirators.

Political Power: The influence held by James I and how it affected events.

Secrecy and Deception: Key elements in planning and executing the plot.

Historical Impact: How the Gunpowder Plot affected later laws and attitudes towards Catholics in England.

Questions:

1. Define the term 'conspiracy' and explain how it relates to the Gunpowder Plot. (3 marks)

• Marking: Look for clear definitions and connection to the plot.
• Indicative content: Describes a secret plan, links it to the plot.
• Model answer: A conspiracy is a secret agreement to do something illegal, and the Gunpowder Plot was a conspiracy to blow up Parliament and kill King James I.

2. Compare the religious beliefs of the plotters with those of King James I. (4 marks)

• Marking: Identification of beliefs, comparison of views.
• Indicative content: Catholic plotters vs Protestant James I, reasons for conflict.
• Model answer: The plotters were Catholics who wanted to restore Catholicism in England, while James I was a Protestant who wanted to maintain the Protestant church and suppress Catholic influence.

3. Outline the main events of the Gunpowder Plot. (4 marks)

• Marking: Sequence of events, key details.
• Indicative content: Planning, storing gunpowder, discovery, aftermath.
• Model answer: The plot was planned by Catholic conspirators who stored gunpowder beneath Parliament. It was discovered on 5 November 1605, and the plotters were arrested and executed.

4. Explain why the Gunpowder Plot is considered an important event in English history. (3 marks)

• Marking: Explanation of significance.
• Indicative content: Impact on laws, religious tensions, national security.
• Model answer: The Gunpowder Plot is important because it led to harsher laws against Catholics and increased religious tensions in England.

5. Compare how sources from different perspectives might portray the Gunpowder Plot. (5 marks)

• Marking: Understanding of bias, perspective.
• Indicative content: Catholic vs Government sources, portrayal as treason or religious conflict.
• Model answer: Government sources often portrayed the plot as a heinous act of treason, while Catholic sources might have seen it as a protest against religious oppression, showing differing perspectives.

6. Write a short paragraph explaining how secrecy was important to the success of the Gunpowder Plot. (3 marks)

• Marking: Clear explanation, mention of secrecy.
• Indicative content: Planning covertly, avoiding detection, maintaining deception.
• Model answer: Secrecy was crucial because it allowed the plotters to plan without interference and avoid detection by authorities, increasing their chances of success.

7. Analyse the role of King James I in influencing the outcome of the Gunpowder Plot. (4 marks)

• Marking: Analysis of actions, influence.
• Indicative content: His policies, response to the plot, effects on security.
• Model answer: King James I's firm stance against Catholic plots and his response to the discovery of the gunpowder helped prevent the explosion and led to increased security measures.

8. Outline the impact of the Gunpowder Plot on laws towards Catholics in England. (3 marks)

• Marking: Clear outline, connection to laws.
• Indicative content: Increased restrictions, anti-Catholic laws, social attitudes.
• Model answer: The Gunpowder Plot resulted in stricter laws against Catholics, including restrictions on their rights and increased suspicion and hostility.

9. Describe the role of sources in understanding historical events like the Gunpowder Plot. (3 marks)

• Marking: Explanation of sources' importance.
• Indicative content: Provide evidence, show different perspectives, help historians interpret events.
• Model answer: Sources are important because they provide evidence about the event, show different viewpoints, and help historians understand what really happened.

10. Compare the motivations of the plotters with the actions taken by the authorities after the plot was uncovered. (4 marks)

• Marking: Comparison of motives and actions.
• Indicative content: Religious motives vs security measures, punishments.
• Model answer: The plotters were motivated by religious reasons, wanting to restore Catholicism, while the authorities responded by increasing security and punishing those involved to prevent future plots.