Mercantile Empires of the 18th Century

Two separate but related conflicts: After a period of relative peace and prosperity, the second half of the 18th century witnessed renewed warfare. Two separate but related conflicts: Britain v. France (and, to a certain degree, Spain) dueled for supremacy in commerce and colonial empire. Prussia v. Austria: dominance in central Europe. The wars proved costly, forcing the Euro governments to reorganize their financial and taxation systems

I. Mercantile Empires The Four periods of European Overseas Empire a) b) c) d) Colonial trade rivalry among Gr. Brit, Fr. & Sp a) b) c)

Imperialism a) b) c) Decolonization When?

II. Mercantilism 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Britain and France differed in their take on mercantilism a) France & private interests? b) Britain & private interests? c) British Navigation Acts?

Treaty of Utrecht 1713 = “who” got “what” a) Spain b) Gr. Britain c) France d) Dutch

III. Fr/Brit mercantile rivalry occurred in the New World and in India Native American Indians West Indies (heart of rival b/t Fr and GrBrit) a) at stake? b) Sugar? c) Labor?

Spanish Colonial System a) Council of Indies & viceroys b) Trade & Cadiz c) Colonial Reform under Spanish Bourbon Monarchs * peninsulares * creoles

IV. North Atlantic Economy, Plantation Economy & Slavery Why was there an increase in demand for African slaves by the 1700s? The Plantation System Atlantic Economy (Triangular Trade) Scene from “Roots”