The Early Modern Period, 1450–1750: The World Shrinks?

• The World Map Changes. 1450 – 1750• The first is the formation of new empires.

Several of these were European, but the Ottoman Turks, Mughal India and Russia also expanded.

• The other big change came in trade routes, which shifted from land routes and seaways via the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

• Triggers for Change• The early modern period was distinguished by

renewed empire building. The Ottoman Empire is a notable example, taking over the former Byzantine Empire, and its capital at Constantinople.

• European exploration / colonization Americas • A third development is encompassed by the term

gunpowder empires, characterized by their use of new military technology. However, other technologies also made their mark, including the compass, and improved sailing techniques.

• Why explore and sail out into the oceans?

Trade routes to India and China• The Three G’s1. God2. Gold3. Glory

• The Big Changes. Reactions to the changing world affected all parts of the world, but differently. The three major changes are discussed below.

• A New Global Economy. International trade increased in volume, and now the Americas were part global commerce. Changes after 1450 brought the regions of the world into much closer contact.

• Biological Exchange. All manner of living things now moved or were moved around the world. Population often followed the introduction of new foodstuffs. At the same time, disease was often transmitted. The Atlantic slave trade had enormous consequences on both sides of the ocean.

• New Empires. The new empires formed in this period often represented significant shifts in power. The power of Europe, in particular, increased, although it was not alone. These shifts in some cases translated into serious imbalances.

• Continuity. Pre-existing trade routes continued to be important. Culturally as well, a great deal of continuity prevailed. Although world religions spread, many major areas also maintained their religious traditions. In gender relations too, little systematic change occurred. Earlier developments, such as the use of gunpowder, continued to spread. In the face of pressure from other regions, some cultures such as the Chinese embraced their cultures more firmly than ever.

• Impact on Daily Life: Work. Diseases, introduced to those with no immunities, were devastating in many areas of the world. Many Chinese found themselves reduced to poverty when unable to pay taxes in silver, now the common currency of the wealthy. Millions of Africans died on the trip to the Americas or became slaves. The most widespread change was in the nature of work. Working conditions were more crowded, and the workload was often increased to keep pace with competitors. Child labor increased in many areas. The term for the period, early modern, reflects the fact that the period shared many features with the modern world, while still bearing a resemblance to the past.

CHAPTER 21 - The World Economy• Silver Currency. Silver became a commonly traded

commodity after 1450, as new sources increased its availability. Silver mines in Mexico and Bolivia were worked by Spaniards, using the Inca mita system. Silver flowed through Spain, into the hands of European merchants, and hence to Asia. Indian spices and Chinese finished goods were eagerly sought by Europeans. Thus a preponderance of the silver ended up in these two world areas. China experienced economic growth, and an improved standard of living. Europeans worried about the flow of silver through the continent.

• The rise of the West between the 15th and 18th centuries involved distant explorations and conquests resulting in a heightening and redefining of relationships among world societies.

• During the classical era, larger regional economies and culture zones had developed, as in the Chinese Middle Kingdom and the Mediterranean basin, but international exchanges were not of fundamental importance to the societies involved.

• During the postclassical period, contacts increased and were more significant. Crusades – Missionaries

• New world relationships after 1450 spelled a new period of world history. The Americas and other world areas were joined to the world network, while older regions had increased contacts. Trade became so significant that new relationships emerged among societies and prompted reconsideration of existing political and cultural traditions.

New Technology: • Deep-draught, round-hulled ships were able to sail Atlantic waters• vessels carried armament (cannons) far superior • The compass and better mapmaking improved navigational skills. Portugal and Spain Lead the Pack. • Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal leads the way• Motivation comes from Christian missionary zeal, the excitement

of discovery, and a thirst for wealth. • Vasco Da Gama reached India in 1498• Spanish quickly followed with Columbus in 1492• Treaty of Tordesillas divided the world / new discoveries between

the Portuguese and Spanish• Ferdinand Magellan 1519 circumnavigated the globe - Spain

claimed the Philippines.

Northern European Expeditions – British-French-Dutch* They searched for a northern trade route• The French first crossed the Atlantic in 1534 and soon

established settlements in Canada• The British turned to North America in 1497• The Dutch also had holdings in the AmericasToward a World Economy• Europe’s new maritime activity had three major consequences

for world history1. creation of a new international pool for exchanges of

food, diseases, and manufactured products2.formation of a more inclusive world economy3.opening some parts of the world to Western

colonization.

The Columbian Exchange of Disease and Food.• The extension of international interaction facilitated the spread of

disease• lacking natural immunities to small pox and measles• Generally it is said that at least 50% of the Native American

population died due to disease. • American corn, potato - European horse, cattle,• Both would play key roles, increased populationThe West’s Commercial Outreach• Westerners/Europeans, because of their superior military might,

dominated international trade• Easterns/Asia, continued to trade in their home areas • Europeans sought secure harbors and built fortifications to protect

their commerce and serve as contact places for inland traders, in Africa, India, China?

Imbalances in World Trade• Spain and Portugal briefly held leadership the New World economy,

but their economies and banking systems could not meet the new demands

• New core nations, England, France, and Holland, established more durable economic dominance

• expanded manufacturing operations to meet new market conditions• mercantilism protected home markets and supported exports• tariff policies discouraged competition from colonies and foreign rivals • Beyond Europe areas became dependent participants in the world

economy as producers and suppliers of low-cost raw materials• they received European manufactured items• Sub-Saharan Africa entered the world network mainly as a slave

supplier• The Europeans controlled commercial and shipping services.

A System of International Inequality. • Dependence in the world economy helped form a coercive labor

system – demand for raw materials How Much World in the World Economy? • Huge areas remained outside the world economy• East Asian civilizations did not need European products; they

concentrated upon consumption or regional commerce• China was uninterested in international trading involvement and

remained mainly outside the world economy until the end of the 18th century

• European desire for Chinese manufactured items made China the leading recipient of American silver.

• Japan, Mughal India, the Ottomans, and Safavid Persia, Russia, and African all allowed minimal trade with Europeans, but concentrated upon their own internal development

The Expansionist Trend• European dominance spread to new areas during the 17th

and 18th centuries• British and French merchants strengthened their positions

as the Mughal Empire began falling apart. Britain passed legislation designed to turn its holdings into dependent regions

• Tariffs blocked cottons from competing with British production. India’s complex economy survived,

Colonial Expansion. Western colonial dominance over many peoples accompanied the New World economic network. Two types of American colonies emerged, in Latin America and the Caribbean, and in North America. Colonialism also spread to Africa and Asia.

The Americas: Loosely Controlled Colonies• early colonies were formed by small bands of adventurers

loosely controlled by European administrations• gold• As agricultural settlements were established, Spanish and

Portuguese officials created more formal administration• Missionary activity added another layer of administrationBritish and French North America: Backwater Colonies• North American colonial patterns differed from those in

Latin America and the Caribbean• Religious refugees came to English territories