Economics and Colonization
European Exploration and Colonization of North America
What are the purposes of colonization?
Purposes of Colonization God? Gold silver Glory? Territory Slaves God? Gold silver Glory? Territory Slaves
Consequences of Colonization Decimation of Native Population Aztec Empire population declined from 25 million to 2 million in 30 years Measles Influenza Smallpox Decimation of Native Population Aztec Empire population declined from 25 million to 2 million in 30 years Measles Influenza Smallpox
Codex Florentinus (ca )
Consequences of Colonization Widespread belief of European superiority in Europe Wanton destruction of native cultures Continued need for a source of cheap labour to work mines and sugar plantations African Atlantic Slave Trade Widespread belief of European superiority in Europe Wanton destruction of native cultures Continued need for a source of cheap labour to work mines and sugar plantations African Atlantic Slave Trade
Diagram of a typical Slaver travelling the Middle Passage
The Expanding Slave Trade
Consequences of Colonization Sharing of Cultures and Knowledge African slaves work in New World mines African and Native American slaves work in Europe European men and women find homes in the New World Sharing of Cultures and Knowledge African slaves work in New World mines African and Native American slaves work in Europe European men and women find homes in the New World
Consequences of Colonization New World products available in Europe SUGAR Rum Cocoa beans Vanilla Tomatoes Potatoes New World products available in Europe SUGAR Rum Cocoa beans Vanilla Tomatoes Potatoes
Consequences of Colonization Emergence of a Global Marketplace Triangular trade The Atlantic triangle Firearms and other goods to African coasts, slaves to New World, sugar, tobacco, cotton, rum to Europe The Asian triangle South American silver to Europe and then to Asia for spices, silk, coffee, jewels, jade, porcelain, dyes, fabrics and later tea Emergence of a Global Marketplace Triangular trade The Atlantic triangle Firearms and other goods to African coasts, slaves to New World, sugar, tobacco, cotton, rum to Europe The Asian triangle South American silver to Europe and then to Asia for spices, silk, coffee, jewels, jade, porcelain, dyes, fabrics and later tea
Triangular Trade
Global Trade Networks
Mercantilism New system of understanding a nation’s wealth Wealth of a nation is determined by the amount of precious metals it holds Trading with bullion meant a loss of wealth Goal= maintain a surplus of bullion Problem for trade with East New system of understanding a nation’s wealth Wealth of a nation is determined by the amount of precious metals it holds Trading with bullion meant a loss of wealth Goal= maintain a surplus of bullion Problem for trade with East
Importance of Colonies for Mercantilism Exclusive trade partners Natural resources provided to core Timber Furs Cotton PRECIOUS METALS Core trades as much as possible in finished goods Exclusive trade partners Natural resources provided to core Timber Furs Cotton PRECIOUS METALS Core trades as much as possible in finished goods
Results of Mercantilism Since mercantilist theory argued that there was a finite limit to the world’s volume of possible trade: Scramble for colonies beginning in the 17 th century Commercial warfare in the 18 th century Since mercantilist theory argued that there was a finite limit to the world’s volume of possible trade: Scramble for colonies beginning in the 17 th century Commercial warfare in the 18 th century
Mercantile Wars England vs Netherlands ( ) Netherlands loses New Amersterdam England vs France ( ) Seven Years’ War ( ) North America, West Indies and India Britain as the global superpower England vs Netherlands ( ) Netherlands loses New Amersterdam England vs France ( ) Seven Years’ War ( ) North America, West Indies and India Britain as the global superpower
Seven Years’ War