There is a lot of material on this topic, as it builds on the foundation of the previous topic (4.4). The big development discussed concerns Mercantilism and the relationships that 'mother countries' had with their colonies and the rest of their empire. Don't skim this topic.

Historical Developments in 4.5 Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed

• Mercantilist policies and practice were used by European rulers to expand and control their economies and claim overseas territories. Joint-stock companies, influenced by these mercantilist principles, were used by rulers and merchants to finance exploration and were used by rulers to compete against one another in global trade.

• Economic disputes led to rivalries and conflict between states.

• The Atlantic trading system involved the movement of goods, wealth, and labor, including slaves.

• The new global circulation of goods was facilitated by chartered European monopoly companies and the global flow of silver, especially from Spanish colonies in the Americas, which was used to purchase Asian goods for the Atlantic markets and satisfy Chinese demand for silver. Regional markets continued to flourish in Afro-Eurasia by using established commercial practices and new transoceanic and regional shipping services developed by European merchants.

• Peasant and artisan labor continued and intensified in mayan regions as the demand for food and consumer goods increased.

• Some notable gender and family restricting occurred, including demographic changes in Africa that resulted from the slave trades.

• The Atlantic trading system involved the movement of labor - including slaves - and the mixing of African, American, and European cultures and peoples, with all parties contributing to this cultural synthesis..

• In some cases, the increase and intensification of interactions between newly connected hemispheres expanded the reach and furthered development of existing religions, and contributed to religious conflicts and the development of syncretic belief systems and practices

Maps & Visuals 4.5

Additional Resources 4.5