Chapter 15

The slave trade was a part of the international trading network that shaped the world between 1450 and 1750. Even to this day, slavery is a big deal to a lot of people. I personally wanted to see the Django film over winter break but my grandmother refused when she heard it was about slavery. I know and accept where my ancestors have came from but hate the ignorance people have today when it comes to african americans and slaves. 

Columbus and Vasco da Gama both sought a route to Asia because they both wanted spices. During this time, the europeans were recovering from the black death. Also during this time, there were issues in the old trade systems from the Indian Ocean network such as Muslims controlled supply, Venice was chief intermediary for trade with Alexandria; other states resented it and the desire to find Prester John and enlist his support in the Crusades. Spain was the first to challenge Portugal’s control of Asian trade by establishing a Spanish base in the Philippines. The spaniards full colonial rule takeover happened during  1565-1650. The Philippines remained a Spanish colonial territory until 1898, when the United States assumed control. Spaniards introduced forced relocation, tribute, taxes, unpaid labor where there were large estates for Spanish settlers, religious orders, and Filipino elite and sadly the women’s ritual and healing roles were attacked. I didn't agree with how the women's roles during this time were attacked when they were doing positive things for people, but men are going to do what they want to do even if that belittles the women they are surrounded by. In the early seventeenth century, the dutch and english were competing with each other when they displaced the Portuguese and entered Indian Ocean commerce. Dutch and British East India companies were chartered by their respective governments both had power to make war and govern conquered peoples.They both established their own colonies. Dutch empire was focused on Indonesia while the English empire was focused on India.

The silver trade was even more important than the spice trade in creating a global exchange network. The enormous silver deposits were discovered in Bolivia and Japan in the mid-sixteenth century. In the early modern period, Spanish America produced around 85 percent of the world’s silver. The Philippines were the critical link between Spanish America and Asian markets. The Chinese government consolidated taxes into a single tax  to be paid in silver

and the value of silver skyrocketed. Foreigners with silver could purchase more Chinese products than prior times.