Empire, Slavery and War

1. Empire, Slavery and War

2. Atlantic Economy in the 17th and 18th 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 (1st 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 1st half of 17th 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 19th century.

11. Spanish Colonies • Spain’s Latin American colonies: helped revitalize Spanish empire in 18th 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 19th c. • more successful in blending races than in Spanish colonies or United States • Slavery remained in place until the end of the 19th century.