Chapter 16: The Transatlantic Economy, Trade Wars, and Colonial Rebellion October 20, 2007 ‘Two separate but interrelated rivalries existed in Europe in the mideL8th century: between Austria and Prussia for Central Europe and between Great, Britain and France for commerce and colonies. ‘The wars were long and expen= sive, Ultimately, Prussia won Central Europe ane Great Britain established a ‘world empire, The expense of these wars led every major European government, after 1763 Peace of Panis to establish new tax policies. These reforms led to the American Revolution, enlightened! absolutism on Continent, contirming, financial isis in France, and Spanish ref in America, 1 Periods of European Overseas Empires Four staggs of outside world contact since Renaissance. 1. Discovery, exploration, conquest, and settlement of New World. (@) Also inchided penetration of Southeast Asian markets by Portugal and Netherlands, (b) Ended by 1700. 2 Mercantile Empines (@) Rivalry among Spain, France, Great Britain. (b) Created large navies and resulted in many naval wars. (©) These war became linked to Continental wars. (@) Slavery fimdamental in first two stages. i, Slave population blacks imported from Aftica or bom to bladk slaves. ‘Three centuries of slave trade with West Affica, ‘ii, Slaves brought their culture. (6) Atlantic econcmy and society were European and Aftican, Native ‘Americans marginalized.(8) Both British and Spanish colonies declared independence. (q) Exeked ching 18208. & New formal empires—direct Eurepean administration of indigenous in Aftica and Asia. (@) Also included new European settlement: Australia, New Zealand, South Aftica, Algeria, (b) Based in trade, national honor, Christian missionary, military. (6) Formally based on free labor, but indigenous still treated harshly. 4, Decolonization (1950+) 5. Huge disproportional impact in 450 years before decolonization, (a) Treated indigenous as inferior, (b) Destroy existing culture due to greet, religion, politics. These ac- tions remain significant factors in relationship between Europe and, its colonies and U.S. today. (0) Ships and gmpovder facilitate supremacy. 2 Mercantile Empires 1. Navy and merchant marine key to mercantile empires—empires for profit, not settlement. 2. Spain controlled mainland South America (exoept Brazil, Dutch Guiana). (@) Controlled Flavida in North America, (b) Control Central America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Tiinidad, eastern Hise paniola (Dominican Republic). 3 British controlled North Atlantic seaboard, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Bemmida, Jamaica, Barbados, ‘Trading posts on Indian subcontinent, 4, French controlled St. Law1ence River valley, Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Western Hispaniola (Haiti), Guadeloupe, Martinique, posts on India and West. Aftica, 5. India seemed to be huge potential European market and source of spice and calioo, 6. Dutch control Suriname (Dutch Guiana), Cope Coleny (South Aftica), Sti Lanla, Bengal. (@) Most importantly, controlled Javan trade,(b) Opened these markets in 1600s. (©) Huge empire disproportionate to wealth, importance, and size of United Netherlands. (2) Daring sailors and technological innovations facilitate, 2.1 Mercantilist Goals 1. Mereantilism invented by later cvitics and oppanents. 2 Regarded gold and silver as ultimate measure of wealth, 3 Assumed scarcity and limits, zero-sum game, Only modest growth possi- ble. Predated industrial agricultural revolution, 4. Both home and colonists see colony’ as inferior partner. (@) Exclusive trade, (b) Governments use navigation laws, tariffs, bounties to probibit trade swith other monarchs. () National monopoly. 5. Messy in practice; by 18th century, mercantilist assumpticrs fallen. (@) Spain could not produce enough for South America. (b) Production in British American colonies challenged European indus- ties. (©) Enelish colonists could buy sugar more cheaply from French West Indies (@) Everybody hoped to break others? manopoly. (6) ‘Golden 2gp of snmgghens.” Governments could not control subjects? actions, 2.2. French-British Rivalry |, Settlers coveted! St. Lawrence River valley, upper New England, Ohio River valley. 2. Conflict over fur trade, fishing, alliance with Natives, 2 Heart of rivalry in West: Indies. (@) Jewels of empire: tobacco, cotton, indigo, coffee, sugar. (b) Unlimited demand for sugar; for a time, unlimited rides to plantas tien owner, (0) Slavery essential for profit.