Question
“The exploration and conquest of the Americas had a negative economic impact on the indigenous populations.” Discuss.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of factors in order to assess the economic impact of the exploration and conquest of the indigenous people and determine whether this impact was positive or negative. Answers to this question will most likely focus on Spanish exploration and conquest, but accept any exploration and conquest from within the period. In nearly all cases in Latin America, conquest meant indigenous people lost their lands to the conquerors, and saw their cities, markets and fields destroyed. Natural resources of gold and silver were taken and sent back to Europe. In most cases, indigenous people were forced to mine these resources. Enslavement of the indigenous population was attempted, but generally failed. Later, this was replaced with the repartimiento, which tied indigenous people to specific land to work without economic compensation. While there may have been some benefits from the Columbian exchange, such as new crops and animals, these were mostly for the benefit of the conquerors, not the indigenous people.
Question
Evaluate the impact of the Law of Burgos (1512) and the New Laws of the Indies (1542) on the indigenous populations of Spanish America.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the strengths and limitations of the Law of Burgos (1512) and the New Laws of the Indies (1542) on the indigenous populations under Spanish rule. In evaluating the effects, they must offer detailed and specific knowledge of both the laws and their impact on the indigenous populations of Spanish Americas. The Law of Burgos was the first codified legislation on the treatment of the indigenous populations. It instituted the encomienda to replace repartimiento or mita, and legislated the duties of the encomenderos towards the indigenous populations. Though it regulated the working and living conditions of the indigenous populations, exploitation persisted. The New Laws of the Indies aimed to protect the indigenous populations by addressing the ineffective application of the Law of Burgos, banning the creation of new encomiendas, providing for the dissolution of existing encomiendas and establishing additional safeguards for indigenous peoples. These too were mostly ignored.
Question
Evaluate the factors that led to the conquest of the Aztecs in 1521.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the factors that led to the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. A variety of factors may be considered including aspects of Spanish military power, Spanish ambition for gold, power and glory, Cortez’s previous experiences in negotiating with and fighting native people, as well as rivalries between Aztecs and other communities that allied with the Spanish. It may also be argued that both the siege of Tenochtitlan and the smallpox epidemic weakened the Aztecs. Candidates may discuss the importance of Aztec myths and legends that announced the arrival of gods as a factor that weakened resistance since the Aztecs thought resistance could bring punishment and natural disasters. While these and other factors may be addressed, the focus is on evaluation of the most significant causes for the decline and fall of the Aztec Empire.
Question
Discuss the consequences of the “Columbian Exchange” in the Americas.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the consequences produced by the Columbian Exchange. While both beneficial and detrimental effects are relevant, consequences should be limited to impact in the Americas. Transfer of disease was largely an asymmetrical exchange, leading to catastrophic mortality rates up to 90 per cent that weakened resistance to invasion and led to the introduction and growth of slave labour. Introduction of sugar cane and cotton also contributed to the growth of slavery and produced harmful ecological effects. Technological exchange included European weaponry that altered hunting and gathering techniques and changed conflict resolution methods for indigenous people. Cultural exchange included Spanish attempts to encourage and/or impose Catholicism which often produced conflict and the loss of cultural diversity. These and many other consequences are relevant.