Discuss the consequences for European states of the exploration of the Indian Ocean.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the consequences for European states of the exploration of the Indian Ocean. Consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the increased status of Portugal through the creation of new trade routes to India that broke apart the Arab–Venetian monopoly of the spice trade. Some may argue that a consequence was the arrival of various goods and their impact on the demand for certain commodities developed European markets. Candidates may refer to the transformation that took place in political and commercial organizations as important consequences of exploration. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, a new world view of the globe and Europe’s place in it, and the power of European trading companies that monopolized trade for the mother country. 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 consequences for European states of the exploration of the Indian Ocean.