CCOT Essay Analyze the social and economic continuities and transformations that occurred in the Atlantic world as a result of new contacts among Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas from 1492-1750.
Social and Economic Continuities What is staying the same during this time period? Patriarchies (male dominated societies) – European values imposed on Americas Spread of religions is constant (Christianity) Importance of corn, beans, squash in providing food in Americas
Social Changes Social classes in Americas based on race Slave trade Peninsulares, creoles, mestizos/mulattoes, Native Americans and Africans Slave trade Led to decreased population in Africa Weakened remaining African civilizations and hurt the potential rise of new ones Spread of disease (smallpox) Decimated Native American populations Encomienda system further decreased populations
Social Changes Christianity blends with traditional Native American and African beliefs Voudou in Haiti Santeria in Cuba Gods replaced by saints, but some old traditions remain (e.g. bloodletting)
Economic Changes Mercantilism Columbian Exchange Triangular trade Europeans grow wealthy at the expense of colonies/Native Americans and Africans Columbian Exchange Spread of plants, animals, ideas between Europe, Africa and Americas Triangular trade Facilitated mercantilism and Columbian Exchange Global economy
HISTORICAL CONTEXT at the Beginning of Time Period Americas were isolated from the rest of the world and all the Afro-Eurasian advances Asia was the powerhouse of the world and dominated trade (especially Arabs and Indians – China had recently withdrawn from trade) European interest in spice trade led to overseas exploration
Historical Context What is going on during this time period that is allowing these changes and continuities to take place? Rise of and competition among nation-states in Europe (eventual rise of absolute monarchs) Protestant Reformation and rise of Ottoman Empire led to expansion of Catholicism in Americas Advanced weapons of Europeans (guns, germs, and steel) allowed colonization (a result of geography)
Don’t forget to analyze!! Make sure that you are not only stating what the changes and continuities are, but also WHY they happened.