Discuss the living and working conditions of slaves on plantations in the West Indies and in Brazil.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the living and working conditions of slaves in the West Indies and in Brazil. While both areas must be discussed there need not be equal treatment of both. Topics discussed may include the difficult conditions endured by slaves. Slaves, including children and pregnant women, were forced to work long hours. Candidates may refer to high mortality rates among slaves, slaves’ limited access to education and health, and the abuse of slaves by owners. Candidates may also argue that there were differences in the conditions for slaves depending on the nature of their work. For example, domestic slaves had better living and working conditions than slaves working on the land. Candidates may argue that the conditions of slaves in plantations owned by religious orders in Brazil were less cruel. They may also claim that the splitting of families because of the slave trade was less frequent in Brazil. Candidates may or may not choose to use a comparative approach.