Evaluate the contribution of slavery to economic growth in the Americas.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the contribution of slavery to economic growth in the Americas. Candidates may argue that slavery contributed to economic growth by solving the shortage of labour that followed the decimation of indigenous groups in many regions, such as the Caribbean. Slaves were used in infrastructural work, utilizing semi-skilled and unskilled labour. Slavery became an essential component of the economic growth of plantation agriculture. Candidates may also argue that the slave trade became an economic activity with high levels of profits for slave traders. On the other hand, candidates may note the relatively low productivity of slavery, which, combined with the cost of slavery, hindered economic growth. They may also state that, due to high mortality levels, it was economically unviable to use slaves in the silver mining industry.