“The impact of European settlements on the indigenous people was entirely negative.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the impact of European settlements on the indigenous people was entirely negative. Candidates may refer to the ways the missionaries often undermined local beliefs and traditions. They may discuss the ways European culture and language was forced onto local populations. Negative economic impacts such as the exploitation of local resources and high taxation may be addressed. Candidates may give examples of localized resistance as evidence of the anger felt amongst indigenous people of their exploitation. There should be some attempt to present balance in the response and candidates may argue that developments in transportation, communications, trade and medicine could be seen as positive. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the impact of European settlements on the indigenous people was entirely negative. The responses needed to have some balance, although candidates may have argued that even those developments often perceived as positive, such as infrastructure developments, still had negative impacts on the indigenous people.