Examine the economic impact on Europe of the exploration of the New World.

The question requires that candidates consider the economic impact on Europe of the exploration of the New World. Candidates may examine how the exploration of the New World allowed states like Portugal and Spain to increase their wealth and power with the acquisition of gold from the New World, leading other states such as England to participate in voyages of exploration to increase their wealth. They can also consider that the developments in cartography and navigation techniques were later applied in European regions like the Mediterranean, improving the transportation of products and trade. Candidates may also highlight that for many dispossessed men the exploration of the New World was an opportunity to gain lands and wealth. Candidates may discuss the limited economic impact of exploration by considering the standards of living of the peasant population in Europe. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the economic impact on Europe of the exploration of the New World. Few responses were seen to this question. Many of those that were seen tended to rely on generalisations.