Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Yes, I agree. While heavy taxes, changed inheritance laws, and confinement in compounds forced some Africans into wage labour, their effect was limited as long as Africans still possessed land and cattle — their traditional means of livelihood.

Rinderpest, arriving in the late 1880s, killed 90 per cent of Africa's cattle, destroying livelihoods on a massive scale. European planters, mine owners and colonial governments then monopolised the remaining scarce cattle, using this control to force Africans into the labour market. This gave colonisers decisive economic and political power to conquer and subdue Africa. No earlier measure had such sweeping, irreversible impact.

Source: Chapter 3, Section 2.4 — Rinderpest, or the Cattle Plague

---

• The question asks you to evaluate, so take a clear position ("Yes, I agree") and justify it comparatively.
• Key evidence: 90% cattle killed → livelihoods destroyed → colonisers monopolised scarce cattle → Africans forced into labour market. This chain is what examiners want.
• Mention the earlier measures briefly to show you understand the contrast, but don't spend equal time on them — the question emphasises rinderpest as the turning point.
• Keep the answer focused; avoid adding unrelated content (e.g., indentured labour from India).