Evaluate the impact of the use of indigenous labour by the colonial powers on societies in the Americas.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the benefits and detriments of indigenous labour during the time of European exploration and conquest by weighing up the strengths and limitations of its impact on societies in the Americas. In doing so, they must refer to the impact of indigenous labour on the colonies but may also focus on the impact to the indigenous populations themselves. Issues that may be addressed regarding impact on the colonies include the effect of low-cost manual labour on the development of plantations and mines, the rise of a new social class among European settlers who profited from securing additional indigenous labourers, and legislation produced to regulate indigenous labour. Impact on the indigenous populations may include forced relocation and its impact on food production, separation of families, dangerous and unhealthy work environments, resistance movements against forced labour and the use of indigenous labour to counter rebel or aggressive populations.