Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The expansion of trade in the late nineteenth century had a darker side for colonised peoples, particularly in Africa.

Land: European powers carved up Africa among themselves (Berlin, 1885), drawing artificial borders. Africans were displaced from their lands through changed inheritance laws — only one family member could inherit land, forcing others into the labour market.

Labour: Africa historically had abundant land and livestock, so Africans had little reason to work for wages. To force them into wage labour, colonial governments imposed heavy taxes payable only through wages, and confined mineworkers in compounds.

Disease: Rinderpest (cattle plague) arrived in the late 1880s, carried by infected cattle from British Asia. It spread westward, killing 90% of cattle. This destroyed African livelihoods. European planters and mine owners monopolised the remaining cattle, using this control to subdue Africans and drive them into the labour market.

Thus, colonialism brought economic ruin, ecological disaster, and loss of freedom.

Source: Chapter 3, Sections 2.3 and 2.4

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• The question asks you to examine — so link each point (land, labour, disease) clearly to the impact of colonialism; don't just list facts.
• Examiners look for three distinct aspects: land alienation, forced labour mechanisms, and Rinderpest — all three must appear.
• The Rinderpest detail (90% cattle killed, Italian soldiers/Eritrea connection, 1890s) scores well and shows depth.
• Avoid vague statements; use specific evidence from the textbook (e.g., Berlin 1885, inheritance law change, monopolisation of cattle).