Atlantic Slave Trade, Commercial Revolution, and Exploration: Big Picture Age of Exploration

Slavery Slavery had existed in Africa and elsewhere around the world since ancient times

Atlantic Slave Trade European slave trade in Africa (Atlantic Slave Trade) a. Began in the 1500s b. Based on race c. Worked on tobacco and sugar plantations d. African tribes fought each other and sold captives into slavery (Europeans sold weapons to African tribes)

Slavery in the Spanish Colonies Difficulty to enslave Native Americans 1. Disease, starvation, and cruel treatment – decline in Native American population 2. Knew the land – could run away

Labor shortage in the Americas – workers from Africa As the demand for sugar increased – the number of slaves in the Americas increased

Middle Passage Movement of Africans from Africa to the Americas (part of the Triangular Trade)

Impact of the African Slave Trade on Africa Population drain Decline and disappearance of some African tribes Establishment of some African states that relied on the slave trade

Commercial Revolution (Growth of Capitalism) Capitalism  the investment of money to make profit Entrepreneurs  merchants who invested in overseas ventures High prices and high demand = more investment opportunities

Commercial Revolution (New Business Methods) Insurance (reduce business risks)  insured ships and cargo Banks  store money and lend money at interest Joint Stock Company  merchants came together to invest in an overseas venture (Dutch East India Company)

Mercantilism (Beliefs) A Nation’s wealth = amount of gold and silver A nation must export (sell) more than it imports (buys) Goal – increase national wealth

Mercantilism (Role of Colonies) Provide resources and raw materials not available in Europe (sugar). Colonies could only send raw materials and resources to their mother countries Serve as a market (buy goods) from their mother countries

Mercantilism (Rules) Colonies could not set up industries or manufacture goods Only ships from the mother country or colonies themselves could be used to send goods in or out of the colonies

Exploration: Big Picture Portugal  Brazil Spain  South and Central America Great Britain  North America France  Canada Permanent Settlements Portugal and Netherlands  Africa Spain  Philippines Trading Great Britain  India Posts Netherlands  Indonesia

Exploration: Motives Demand for gold, spices, and natural resources in Europe Support for the diffusion (spreading of) Christianity

Political and economic competition between European empires Pioneering role of Prince Henry the Navigator

Exploration: Population Native American population decreased (diseases brought by Europeans) European population increased

Exploration: Economics European plantation system destroyed the native economies of Africa, India, and the Americas Expanded trade (more investment opportunities)  Global Economy Gold and Silver – Spanish Economy Mercantilism  increase national wealth

Exploration: Economics European countries competed for natural resources Columbian Exchange – trade in products such as corn, potatoes, and tobacco + animals such as horses and cattle New money and banking systems created

Exploration: Religion Conversion of natives by Catholic nations Spain and France (convert natives) Great Britain (haven for religious persecution) /economic issues were dominate

Exploration: Slavery European trading posts were established along the African coast to conduct trade in slaves and gold Plantation system (large labor force) stimulated the use of Africa slaves  slavery was based on race

Exploration: Social Classes Spain brought a social class system to the Americas (Peninsulares, Creoles, etc..) characterized by a rigid social structure with Spaniards at the top and natives at the bottom

Exploration: Trade Triangular trade in slaves, gold, tobacco, rum, furs, and raw materials influenced the economies of Africa and the Americas Africa imported manufactured and food products (corn and peanuts) Africa exported slaves and raw materials