To answer this question correctly, students must explain how the voyages of Captain Cook are related to the growth of mercantilism in Europe and the British colonization of Australia.
For Question 1, students must explain that mercantilist economic philosophy motivated European leaders to seek territorial expansion in order to gain control over raw materials and to secure new markets for finished goods. The King of England commissioned exploratory voyages like Cook’s, in part, to find new territories for English trade.
For Question 2, students should explain that Cook’s contact with Australia was a critical step in the British colonization of Australia or that the Britain commissioned Cook’s voyage with the intention of expanding its empire, which it then accomplished through the colonization of Australia.
Level: Proficient
Question 1
Student identifies and explains a relevant connection between Captain Cook’s voyages and mercantilism.
Question 2
Student identifies and explains a relevant connection between Captain Cook’s voyages and the colonization of Australia.
Level: Emergent
Question 1
Student identifies a relevant connection between Captain Cook’s voyages and mercantilism but does not provide a complete explanation of that connection.
Question 2
Student identifies a relevant connection between Captain Cook’s voyages and the colonization of Australia but does not provide a complete explanation of that connection.
Level: Basic
Question 1
Student does not provide a reasonable explanation for how Captain Cook’s voyages are connected to mercantilism.
Question 2
Student does not provide a reasonable explanation for how Captain Cook’s voyages are connected to the colonization of Australia.
