Economics and Colonization
Jan 17, 2016
Economics and Colonization
Economics and Colonization
European Exploration and Colonization of North America
What are the purposes of colonization?
What are the purposes of colonization?
Purposes of ColonizationPurposes of Colonization
God? Gold silver Glory? Territory Slaves
God? Gold silver Glory? Territory Slaves
Consequences of Colonization
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 1545-1580)
Codex Florentinus (ca 1545-1580)
Consequences of Colonization
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
Diagram of a typical Slaver travelling the Middle Passage
The Expanding Slave Trade
The Expanding Slave Trade
Consequences of Colonization
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
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
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 TradeTriangular Trade
Global Trade NetworksGlobal Trade Networks
MercantilismMercantilism
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
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 MercantilismResults 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 17th century Commercial warfare in the 18th
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 17th century Commercial warfare in the 18th
century
Mercantile WarsMercantile Wars
England vs Netherlands (1652-1672) Netherlands loses New Amersterdam
England vs France (1700-1763) Seven Years’ War (1765-1763)
North America, West Indies and India Britain as the global superpower
England vs Netherlands (1652-1672) Netherlands loses New Amersterdam
England vs France (1700-1763) Seven Years’ War (1765-1763)
North America, West Indies and India Britain as the global superpower
Seven Years’ WarSeven Years’ War