1. Empire, Slavery and War

2. Atlantic Economy in the 17 th and 18 th Centuries  Characteristics  World trade became fundamental  Spain and Portugal revitalized their empires and began drawing more wealth from renewed development.  Netherlands, Great Britain, and France benefited most; Great Britain the leading maritime power.  Britain’s commercial leadership based on mercantilism  Navigation Laws: aimed to reduce Dutch trade in Atlantic region (1 st in 1651, Cromwell)

3. Atlantic Slave Trade  Basis of the Triangular Trade System.  Nearly 10 million transported.  Millions more died in the ordeal.  In the 1780s, European participation died off, but it was not outlawed by Britain until 1807.

4. South Sea Bubble  South Sea Bubble: responsible for exploiting the asiento other commercial privileges won from Spain after Treaty of Utrecht (1713)  Took over large portion of public debt by receiving gov’t bonds in return for shares of its stock.  Stock values soared but the “bubble” burst in 1720  England recovered better than France who had created a Mississippi Bubble for New Orleans commerce.  “Bubble Act”: forbade joint-stock companies, except those chartered by gov’t

5. 3 Anglo-Dutch wars (1652-74)  hurt Dutch shipping and commerce  Netherlands’ “golden age”: during 1 st half of 17 th century, now in decline

6. Colonial Wars: Britain v. France  War of Spanish Succession (Queen Anne’s War) (1701-1713)  Treaty of Utrecht (1713):  Britain received asiento (slave trade) from Spain  Britain allowed to send 1 ship of merchandise annually into Panama  Britain received control of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and

7. Colonial Wars: Britain v. France  War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739): started over Spanish anger over British abuse of asiento.  Expanded into War of Austrian Succession the following year  War of Austrian Succession (King George’s War) (1740-1748)  Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748): restored status quo prior to war

8. Colonial Wars: Britain v. France  Seven Years War (French and Indian War, The Great War for Empire) (1754-1763) Continental War primary between Prussia and Austria.  Global war in North America, Caribbean and India.  William Pitt the Elder: successfully led war effort from Parliament for UK; British naval superiority won the day. Flag of Maryland Militia under G. Washington, defeated at Ft. Duquesne

9. Colonial Wars: Britain v. France  Robert Clive defeats French backers in India at the Battle of Plassey (June 1557)  General Wolfe defeated Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham (Battle of Quebec) in Sept. 1759.  Treaty of Paris (1763):  Britain gained all French territory in North America (Canada and the US Midwest)  Spain gained New Orleans and Louisiana.  Removed French from significant position in India.

10. British in India  Took advantage of the teetering Mughal Empire.  The British East India Company grew in power; ruled Bengal.  India Act of 1784 placed India under control of British gov’t  The British Raj transformed India into the “Jewel of the British Crown” in the 19 th century.

11. Spanish Colonies  Spain’s Latin American colonies: helped revitalize Spanish empire in 18 th c.  gold and silver mining recovered  significant trade with mother country  Creoles elite came to rival top Spanish authorities (about 10% of population)  Mestizos increased to about 20% of population  black slavery in Cuba and Puerto Rico

12. Portuguese Colonies  Portuguese Brazil: about 50% of population African by early 19 th c.  more successful in blending races than in Spanish colonies or United States  Slavery remained in place until the end of the 19 th century.