To what extent were colonizing countries successful in the exploitation of resources in the Americas?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that colonizing countries were successful in the exploitation of resources in the Americas. Consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the Spanish exploitation of gold and jewels in the conquering of the Aztecs, silver in Peru and Mexico, and indigenous labour through the encomienda system along with the French exploitation of fish off Newfoundland and of animal pelts through the fur trade with First Nation peoples. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example it could be argued that the conversion of indigenous souls by the Catholic Church was a form of resource exploitation, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that colonizing countries were successful in the exploitation of resources in the Americas. This was the most popular of the few questions chosen in Sections 1-5. Most candidates applied knowledge of Spanish colonies, though many added about the French as well.