Chapter 17 The Transatlantic economy, Trade Wars, and Colonial Rebellion

4 Periods of European Overseas Empires 1.European discovery, exploration, conquest/settlement ’s to 1700ish + Portuguese and Dutch trade influence/outposts in SE Asia ’s Mercantile empires - trade rivalries among Spain, France, GB - slavery: largest forced migration in history -colonial independence - GB and Spain - until 1820ish

4 Periods of European Overseas Empires ’s: direct imperial administration -Africa and Asia -based on trade, national honor, Christianization, military strategy 4.Mid – Late 20 th Cent.: decolonization Keys to imperial success: -technological (military) supremacy -spread of European diseases

Mercantile Empires

Tension and conflict British monarchy officially limited by power of nobles/parliament. Absolute monarchy vs. national identity France vs. Britain Prussia vs. Austria Russia vs. The West

Characteristics of Mercantilism (portions of following slides borrowed from Mercantilism presentation by Susan M. Pojer) 1.“Bullionism” 1.“Bullionism”  the eco. health of a nation could be measured by the amount of precious metal [gold or silver] which it possessed. – ‘Hard’ money was the source of prosperity, prestige, and strength for a nation. “favorable balance of trade.” – Bullionism dictated a “favorable balance of trade.” Export more than you import [a trade surplus].  High tariffs on imported manufactured good.  Low tariffs on imported raw materials. 2. Each nation must try to achieve economic self-sufficiency. – Those founding new industries should be rewarded by the state. – Monopolies

Characteristics of Mercantilism 3.Thriving agriculture should be carefully encouraged. – Less of need to import foods. – Prosperous farmers could provide a base for taxation. 4.Sea power was necessary to control foreign markets. – Less need to use the ships of other nations to carry your trade goods. – Your own fleet adds to the power and prestige of the nation. 5.Impose internal taxes of all kinds.

Characteristics of Mercantilism 3.Thriving agriculture should be carefully encouraged. – Less of need to import foods. – Prosperous farmers could provide a base for taxation. 4.Sea power was necessary to control foreign markets. – Less need to use the ships of other nations to carry your trade goods. – Your own fleet adds to the power and prestige of the nation. 5.Impose internal taxes of all kinds.

Characteristics of Mercantilism 6.Colonies would provide captive markets for manufactured goods & sources of raw materials. (encouraged smuggling) “zero-sum” game. 6.Trade is a “zero-sum” game. – A nation can gain in international trade only at the expense of other nations. Manufactured goods/gov’t Raw materials Mother Country Colony Cheap labor Colony was inferior partner Home country usually unable to produce enough for colonies

Characteristics of Mercantilism 8.A large population was needed to provide a domestic labor force to people the colonies. 9.Luxury items should be avoided – They took money out of the economy unnecessarily. 10.State action was needed to regulate and enforce all of these economic policies. – State-sponsored trade monopolies.

French-British Rivalry Flash points – N. America – fishing, furtaking, native American alliances – West Indies – tobacco, cotton, indigo, coffee, sugar – India – tea, silk, cotton and (later) salt - springboard to larger markets in China

Spanish Colonial System Council of Indies – administrative body in charge of colonies Viceroys – chief executives of colonies - audiencias – judicial councils - corregidores – local municipality administrators Patronage No local power

Spanish colonial System Casa de contratacion regulated trade (from Seville) Flota Flotilla of merchant/warships manufactured goods to colonies bring gold/silver from new world

Late Spanish Colonial System 1713 Treaty of Utrecht Spanish throne from Hapsburgs to Bourbons Reforms by late 1800’s permitted limited trade w/ america intendants Peninsulares – Spanish born administrators creoles – spanish but colonial born - treated as second class citizens

Columbian Exchange

African Slavery Diseases = labor shortage African conflicts aid to slave trade sugar, coffee, and tobacco High mortality rates

Triangle Trade

Mid 18 th Century Wars War common -Professional militaries -Viable tool of foreign policy -Not a result of domestic upheaval -Peace simply break/retooling for war -Relatively low impact on civilian pop. 2 areas of rivalry: overseas empires central/eastern Europe

War of Jenkin’s Ear Treaty of Utrecht (1713) Britain : 30 yr Asiento (contract) for slave supply to Spanish colonies. Britain send 1 ship/year to Portobello trade fair. Opportunity for trade/smuggling – smuggling raid spanish cut off ear of English Captain Robert Jenkins Jenkins presented ear to parliament 1738 as evidence of Spanish atrocities 1739 war set off a chain of wars until 1815.

War of Austrian Succession ( ) Prussia vs. Austria Maria Theresa saved empire France supported Prussia

Diplomatic Revolution: 1756 Switch in alliances Britain defensive alliance w/ Prussia(against Russia or France) France then allies with Austria

7 Years War ( ) Prussia and Britain vs France and Austria (+ Sweden, Russia, some Germanic States) World War ???

Treaty of Paris (1763) Essentially a draw (on the continent) British dominance worldwide North America - Canada and land east of Miss British East India company retaind authority France retained some territory in India and West Indies Legacy: Britain established as world power France no longer great colonial power Financial burdens

American Revolution 2 challenges of British empire – Managing world wide empire – Debt (from 7 years war) Sugar ct Stamp Act Townshend duties – Boston Massacre – Repealed except for Tea duty – Boston Tea Party Intolerable Acts – Closed Port of Boston – Quartering of troops Continental Congress – 1775 Revolutionary War begins – 1776 Declaration of Independence 1778 France aids Colonists 1779 Spain aids colonists 1781 British finally defeated at Yorktown 1783 Treaty of Paris officially ended war

Role of British Politics George III opposed influence of Whigs John Wilkes Impact on Colonists Yorkshire Association Movement