The Political, Social, and Economic Effects of Expansion

The African Slave Trade Sugar plantations in West Indies/S. America  Demand for African slaves Triangular trade: Europe  Africa  Americas Middle Passage  Slaves transported to Americas Local tribes active in slave trade  increased conflict Undermined African cottage industry  poverty Abolition movements began in late 18th century

The Columbian Exchange Global diffusion of crops, other plants, humans, animals, and disease Disease in the Americas Positive Consequences

Catholic Missionaries Often whistle-blowers for the abuses of the conquistadors Established villages, hospitals, orphanages, schools in Americas Jesuit, Dominican, and Franciscan missionaries  China, Japan, SE Asia, Latin America

Economic Conditions in the 16th C Price Revolution  Gradual Inflation Wage earners suffered, landed aristocrats prospered Gov’ts suffered from inflation

Growth of Commercial Capitalism Commercial Revolution Capitalism Creation of joint-stock companies

Mercantilism Economic system for gov’ts in 17th C Hoarding precious metals, protectionist trade policies, colonial development, shipbuilding, trade, manufacturing Prosperity dependent on bullion State intervention in the economy = good!