1. Age of Exploration
Atlantic Slave Trade, Commercial Revolution, and Exploration: Big Picture

2. Slavery
Slavery had existed in Africa and elsewhere around the world since ancient times
European slave trade in Africa (Atlantic Slave Trade)
a. Began in the 1500s
b. Based on race
c. Worked on tobacco and sugar plantations
d. African tribes fought each other and sold
captives into slavery (Europeans sold
weapons to African tribes)

3. Slavery in the Spanish Colonies
Difficulty to enslave Native Americans
1. Disease, starvation, and cruel
treatment – decline in Native American
population
2. Knew the land – could run away
Labor shortage in the Americas – workers from Africa
As the demand for sugar increased – the number of slaves in the Americas increased

4. Middle Passage (Google Images)
Movement of Africans from Africa to the Americas (part of the Triangular Trade)

5. Impact of the African Slave Trade on Africa
Population drain
Decline and disappearance of some African tribes
Establishment of some African states that relied on the slave trade

6. Commercial Revolution (Growth of Capitalism)
Capitalism the investment of money to make profit
Entrepreneurs  merchants who invested in overseas ventures
High prices and high demand = more investment opportunities

7. Commercial Revolution (New Business Methods)
Insurance (reduce business risks)  insured ships and cargo
Banks  store money and lend money at interest
Joint Stock Company  merchants came together to invest in an overseas venture (Dutch East India Company)

8. Mercantilism (Beliefs)
A Nation’s wealth = amount of gold and silver
A nation must export (sell) more than it imports (buys)
Goal – increase national wealth

9. Mercantilism (Role of Colonies)
Provide resources and raw materials not available in Europe (sugar). Colonies could only send raw materials and resources to their mother countries
Serve as a market (buy goods) from their mother countries

10. Mercantilism (Rules)
Colonies could not set up industries or manufacture goods
Only ships from the mother country or colonies themselves could be used to send goods in or out of the colonies

11. Exploration: Motives
Demand for gold, spices, and natural resources in Europe
Support for the diffusion (spreading of) Christianity
Political and economic competition between European empires
Pioneering role of Prince Henry the Navigator

12. Exploration: Population
Native American population decreased (diseases brought by Europeans)
European population increased

13. Exploration: Economics
European plantation system destroyed the native economies of Africa, India, and the Americas
Expanded trade (more investment opportunities)  Global Economy
Gold and Silver – Spanish Economy
Mercantilism  increase national wealth

14. Exploration: Economics
European countries competed for natural resources
Columbian Exchange – trade in products such as corn, potatoes, and tobacco + animals such as horses and cattle
New money and banking systems created

15. Exploration: Religion
Conversion of natives by Catholic nations
Spain and France (convert natives)
Great Britain (haven for religious persecution) /economic issues were dominate

16. Exploration: Slavery
European trading posts were established along the African coast to conduct trade in slaves and gold
Plantation system (large labor force) stimulated the use of Africa slaves  slavery was based on race

17. Exploration: Social Classes
Spain brought a social class system to the Americas (Peninsulares, Creoles, etc..) characterized by a rigid social structure with Spaniards at the top and natives at the bottom

18. Exploration: Trade
Triangular trade in slaves, gold, tobacco, rum, furs, and raw materials influenced the economies of Africa and the Americas
Africa imported manufactured and food products (corn and peanuts)
Africa exported slaves and raw materials