For the introduction, It really needs to be a plan of the essay you're going to write and set out a clear plan for the examiner of the paragraphs you're going to write and your point of view throughout the essay.
To write an introduction you would usually follow this layout for a non-source orientated question- Point, Rank (Starting with the most important/signficant factor), Knowledge, Explain, Evaluate, Link onwards.
Here are some examples from an essay that I wrote that was marked at 24/25 for A level History.
Point- This has to be a clear statement, showing that you have a clear, concise opinion which is consistent throughout the essay.
Point- 'The Second Boer War from 1899-1902 highlighted and instigated several...'
Rank- Throughout the essay you need to make it clear which point/event is the most important/significant and explain your reasoning briefly.
Ranking: 'The most significant consequence was the weakening of ‘Pax Britannica’; the period in which...'