Evaluate the role of the colonial powers in the establishment and expansion of slavery.

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.