Chapter 14 Part 1
Chapter 14 Part 1
Europeans found different ways to join the spice trade in the Indian Ocean as they wanted to be part of the global commerce. Not a lot of their products were of much value in Asian countries but silver and fur from the New World found their way into the market.
Europeans and Asian Commerce
The Europeans desire to acquire spices, which was in great demand in Europe, and to stop relying on Venice and Muslims motivated them to find another way to enter into Asian commerce. The Portuguese created a trading post empire in the Indian Ocean by overpowering weak states and establishing bases in several areas. They required merchant ships to pay a tax so that the Portuguese wouldn't harm them. Spain took over the islands of Philippine so that they could send silver from Mexico to trade with Asian countries. The Spanish colonized the islands with little to no effort as the Philippines didn't have a leader. They imposed Christianity on the Philippines, displaced many natives, and interrupted their normal way of life. The island attracted Chinese and Japanese traders who eventually settled in the islands. However, as the Chinese resisted Spanish conversion, they were faced with hostile treatment. This made me wonder if this was part of the reason why China and the Philippines don't get along even to this day. The Dutch created the Dutch East India Company which took over the Indonesia islands through force. Through the islands, they controlled the trade in nutmeg, made and cloves and sold them at high prices in Europe and India. The British had the British East India Company which established trade settlements in India, specifically present day Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras, through the Mughal rulers’ permission and huge payments to enter into the market. The British focused on producing Indian cotton textiles which were in high demand in England. Although the Europeans tried to impose Christianity on Japan, they were ultimately expelled from Japan when the military figures were able to unite the country politically. Asian merchants were still able to operate successfully in the Indian Ocean even though there was a high European presence.
Silver and Global Commerce
The Chinese use of silver to pay for taxes created a high demand for silver which meant that Europeans could purchase more Asian goods. At that time, Spain produced most of the world’s silver and much of it went to the mainland. However, the influx of silver eventually led to inflation in Spain while driving prices higher throughout Europe leading to uprisings. The Japanese used silver to unify their country and to invest in agricultural and industrial enterprises. Chinese communities became more regionally specialized as people had to grow cash crops to sell while others had to grow products that the Chinese needed like rice.
Fur in Global Commerce
The decrease of fur animals in Europe and the increase in prices forced Europeans to look to America for fur. Native Americans were the ones who hunted and acquired the furs which they sold to the Europeans in exchange for guns and alcohol. As the demand for fur increased, the population of fur animals in America dropped. Not only that but natives began to become dependent on European goods, so much so that it eventually resulted in the loss of traditional crafts. The natives were also not use to drinking alcohol which led to violent fights and addiction. Many native women married European traders which provided guides and interpreters. The Russians also tapped into the fur trade through Siberia. This had similar consequences to America but the Russians took it even further by imposing taxes on Siberians.
Europeans found different ways to join the spice trade in the Indian Ocean as they wanted to be part of the global commerce. Not a lot of their products were of much value in Asian countries but silver and fur from the New World found their way into the market.
Europeans and Asian Commerce
The Europeans desire to acquire spices, which was in great demand in Europe, and to stop relying on Venice and Muslims motivated them to find another way to enter into Asian commerce. The Portuguese created a trading post empire in the Indian Ocean by overpowering weak states and establishing bases in several areas. They required merchant ships to pay a tax so that the Portuguese wouldn't harm them. Spain took over the islands of Philippine so that they could send silver from Mexico to trade with Asian countries. The Spanish colonized the islands with little to no effort as the Philippines didn't have a leader. They imposed Christianity on the Philippines, displaced many natives, and interrupted their normal way of life. The island attracted Chinese and Japanese traders who eventually settled in the islands. However, as the Chinese resisted Spanish conversion, they were faced with hostile treatment. This made me wonder if this was part of the reason why China and the Philippines don't get along even to this day. The Dutch created the Dutch East India Company which took over the Indonesia islands through force. Through the islands, they controlled the trade in nutmeg, made and cloves and sold them at high prices in Europe and India. The British had the British East India Company which established trade settlements in India, specifically present day Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras, through the Mughal rulers’ permission and huge payments to enter into the market. The British focused on producing Indian cotton textiles which were in high demand in England. Although the Europeans tried to impose Christianity on Japan, they were ultimately expelled from Japan when the military figures were able to unite the country politically. Asian merchants were still able to operate successfully in the Indian Ocean even though there was a high European presence.
Silver and Global Commerce
The Chinese use of silver to pay for taxes created a high demand for silver which meant that Europeans could purchase more Asian goods. At that time, Spain produced most of the world’s silver and much of it went to the mainland. However, the influx of silver eventually led to inflation in Spain while driving prices higher throughout Europe leading to uprisings. The Japanese used silver to unify their country and to invest in agricultural and industrial enterprises. Chinese communities became more regionally specialized as people had to grow cash crops to sell while others had to grow products that the Chinese needed like rice.
Fur in Global Commerce
The decrease of fur animals in Europe and the increase in prices forced Europeans to look to America for fur. Native Americans were the ones who hunted and acquired the furs which they sold to the Europeans in exchange for guns and alcohol. As the demand for fur increased, the population of fur animals in America dropped. Not only that but natives began to become dependent on European goods, so much so that it eventually resulted in the loss of traditional crafts. The natives were also not use to drinking alcohol which led to violent fights and addiction. Many native women married European traders which provided guides and interpreters. The Russians also tapped into the fur trade through Siberia. This had similar consequences to America but the Russians took it even further by imposing taxes on Siberians.
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