Evaluate the impact of European mercantilist policies on colonial American economies.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of European mercantilist policies, weighing up its positive and negative consequences on colonial American economies. Consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may draw differences between British and Spanish mercantilist policies, and argue that lax British control until the Seven Years’ War allowed some industries to prosper, whereas Spanish excessive focus on the extraction of surface wealth led to the underdevelopment of agriculture, industry and commerce in the colonies. Furthermore, candidates can also look upon the restrictive effects of trade regulations upon economic growth in both Spanish and British America; evaluate the economic effects of excessive taxation by the parent country; or refer to the slave trade as a consequence of the implementation of mercantilist policies. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The impact of European mercantilist policies on colonial American economies was not selected.