1. The Commercial Revolution New wealth from the Americas combined with a dramatic growth in overseas trade created the Commercial Revolution. The transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas was known as the Columbian Exchange.

2. Capitalism Due to overseas colonization and trade, numerous merchants had obtained great wealth. Wealth wasn’t just limited to governments.

3. M ercantilism During this time, a the nations of Europe adopted a new economic policy— mercantilism. This was the idea that a country’s power depended mainly on its wealth.

4. Capitalism, Mercantilism and Global Trade Triangular Trade-- the transatlantic trade network along which slaves and other goods were carried between Africa, England, Europe, the West Indies, and the colonies in North America.

5. The Middle Passage Olaudah Equiano (1745?-1797) grew up in the West African kingdom of Benin. Kidnapped by African slave traders, he was transported to Barbados in 1756, then to colonial Virginia. He recalls the horrors of his voyage in an autobiography.