Economics and Colonization. European Exploration and Colonization of North America

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