“Economic factors were the main reason for the introduction of slavery in the New World.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that economic factors were the main reason for the introduction of slavery in the New World. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to labour needs imposed by new production schemes in the New World as an economic factor leading to the introduction of slavery. They may expand, considering that colonizers' ill-treatment of the indigenous societies and the spread of diseases added to the shortage of labour needed; or may look into the failure at finding alternative sources of labour, such as indentured servants. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example ideological, arguing that entrenched racism among Europeans facilitated its justification; or religious, developing the perspective that religious conversion justified enslavement of both indigenous and African people; but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The theory that economic factors were the main reason for the introduction of slavery was a fairly common choice of candidates. Unfortunately, the responses were often descriptive and lacked substantial knowledge relevant to a specific colonial experience. Too often, the content was limited to unsupported and vague generalizations.