18th-century global trade
Establishment of trade empires by England, Spain, France, Netherlands
tea, sugar, cotton, spices, tobacco, liquor, gunpowder & guns, livestock, gold/silver, silks are key products
philosophy of mercantilism: heavily regulated trade & economic policies to benefit of empires & home countries
far-flung empires, burgeoning trade lead to smuggling (skirting of trade regulations)
British-French rivalry characterizes century
trade in human beings:
the African slave trade
Growth of huge sugar plantations in West Indies fuels demands for slaves
development of the "triangle" trade - involving N. America, w. Indies, w. Europe & western coast of Africa
the "middle passage" is brutal-anywhere from 1/10th to 1/2 of slaves died en route
slave codes involving race are harsh and rigid in Americas
Mid-18th-century wars, p.1
War of Jenkins’ Ear: 1739: war between Spain & England - over asiento (slave trade) interference
English eventually re-gain full trading rights for asiento
War of the Austrian Succession: European powers drawn into action over Prussian aggression vs. Austria
result: Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) - Austria-Hungarian empire preserved, GB-French rivalry
Mid-18th century wars,p.1
GB vs. France for control of North America
British support Frederick II and Prussia in efforts vs. French & Austria
British N. American colonists & British unite in military efforts vs. France
war fought over Canada, control of Mississippi River (valley) & West Indies
1763: Treaty of Paris marks major victory for Great Britain: Canada & all territory west to Mississippi r. ceded to GB -
GB dominant as a military economic power
Discussion questions
Is mercantilism still a factor in international trade policy? (re: government control of trade)
How are slavery and racism connected? Why do developments in 18th-c. secure this connection?
Is there a collective national, western or international responsibility for the slave trade?
What is modern relevancy of geo-politics played by Euro. Empires in the mid-18th century?