Question
Evaluate the role of colonial powers in the establishment and expansion of slavery.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the role of colonial powers both in instituting and extending slavery in the region within the given period. In doing so, they must address both parts of the question, although some imbalance in the treatment of each may be allowed. They may address the establishment and the expansion of slavery in discrete groups or they may offer individual arguments for them. No approach is specified; however, candidates are expected to offer opinions and conclusions that are supported by appropriate evidence. Candidates may evaluate the role of colonial powers in establishing slavery of the indigenous populations, which, in most cases, failed. Slavery was also established to prevent local indigenous populations from fleeing and to serve the economic interests of colonial powers. Candidates may argue that the expansion of slavery from Africa was because of the decimation of the indigenous populations. Alternatively, they could discuss the introduction of slavery in British North America, which was a response to a shortage of labour as well as to British control of the slave trade.
Question
Evaluate the methods and effectiveness of slave resistance in British North America up to 1800.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the strengths and limitations of the methods of slave resistance in British North America. They may discuss slave resistance from earliest colonial times up to 1800. Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of various types of slave resistance and make an appraisal of the effectiveness of that resistance. The most common forms were working slowly, breaking or losing tools, feigning illness, self-injury, infanticide, running away and slave rebellions. Effectiveness of slave resistance is open to interpretation. Some of the minor forms of resistance may have led to more accommodating treatment from the owner to end the resistance, but it may have led to harsher treatment to crush the will of the slaves. Candidates might suggest that slave resistance led to the growth of the abolitionist movement in the North. While both parts of the question will be addressed, accept some imbalance in their treatment.
Question
Discuss the social impact of slavery on the New World.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the social impact of slavery in the New World under one or more colonial power(s) during, although not necessarily spanning, the period of \(1500\) to \(1800\). The most likely choices may be the Spanish and British colonies, but allow any other relevant examples, such as the French and Portuguese colonies. Social effects may include concepts of racial classification which differed greatly between colonial regions, policies in respect to racial assimilation, the birth of Afro-American cultures determined by regional slave-trade from Africa, social stratification resulting from the division of labour on larger plantations, decimation of slave and indigenous populations due to overcrowding and primitive sanitation and aspects of racial prejudice and conflict resulting from the racial classification system.
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of early opposition to slavery and the slave trade in the New World.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the effectiveness of opposition to slavery and the slave trade by weighing up the strengths and limitations of the opposition efforts during the given period. While focus may be on the contribution of Quakers in North America, opposition to slavery in other parts of the region is also relevant and slave rebellions may be applied as “opposition”. Examples may include the opposition to indigenous enslavement by De Las Casas in Spanish colonies and the impact of the Great Awakening as a force against African American slavery in North America. In respect to Quaker opposition, the efforts of John Woolman in Pennsylvania may be cited along with the gradual prohibition of slavery instituted by the Quaker hierarchy. Revolts that might be applied include the \(1739\) Stono Revolt in the Carolinas and the 1791 Haitian rebellion.