| 词条 | Draft:Global trade in the early modern world |
| 释义 |
Global trade in the early modern world was a driving force that motivated many of nations and states. Economic prosperity often times relied on opening and sustaining trade relations with not only immediate neighbors but markets in distant lands. With logistical foundations set by the sprawling states such as the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty, merchants gained access to new products to sell. These new products incentivized exploration in order to seek both new resources and new markets to exploit. These frontiers were opened by technological advancements in navigation and plant cultivation techniques. HistoryEarly modern international trade finds its origins in trade systems first emerging in historical periods preceding it such as the Classical Antiquity and the Middle Ages. One of the most famous examples of a trade route of this time period is the Silk Road, which enabled merchants from both Europe and Asia to create political and economic connections.[1] Despite the decline of the Silk Road thanks to the collapse of the Tang dynasty and the Mongol invasions and conquests, the demand for distant goods did not diminish, leading to the further attempts at acquiring a reliable method of global trade.[2] The Age of Discovery saw the steady improvement in maritime navigation, enabling seafaring nations to explore lands to conquer, trade with, or convert religiously, one of the most significant examples being the discovery of the New World.[3] The realization of these motives thanks to the development of techniques and equipment ushered in an era of regular, global trade. In spite of the European colonization of the Americas and utilization of its natural resources, Asia had the greatest influence in the world economy thanks to larger markets and a wide assortment of goods.[4] Commonly Traded GoodsIn the early modern era, the variety of commodities available for trade increased greatly. Silk, gold, silver, coffee, indigo, and more were sought after by the markets in both Europe, Asia, and Africa.[4] Maritime travelers fulfilled both the role of a merchant as they facilitated the exchange of these goods between regions and as explorers, seeking out new resources. The spice trade was a major aspect of the global trade, with many expeditions such as Christopher Columbus' famous discovery of the New World occurring due to a desire to find new routes to the spice-rich East Indies. The Spanish Empire greatly valued economic botany and tested new lands for their ability to grow spices and other crops for economic profits.[5] Technological contribution to early modern global tradeThe vastness of early modern trade is largely attributed to the creation of several key technologies that allowed maritime travelers to expand their range and improve their speed when completing voyages. The application of the compass to maritime travel first originated in China before circulating to become common usage.[6] This allowed sailors to travel bodies of water with a good degree of understanding as to one's bearing and location. Ship designs also changed to accommodate the conditions of the ocean as opposed to coastal waters. Improvements in cartography lead consistent voyages with less uncertainty in terms of safety and the length of the voyage.[7] Combined with cheaper ship costs and the reduced amount of sailors needed to properly control the vessels, maritime travel was made much easier and desirable for transporting goods to consumers. Conflict from global tradeAs a result of the rapid expansion of European powers as they scrambled to attain more land, the indigenous populations of the claimed territories often came into conflict with their colonist counterparts. This was not limited to just native populations from previously undiscovered locations, European and Asian powers came into conflict many times in order to pursue greater economic conditions. The Sino - Dutch conflicts were the result of the Dutch aiming to intimidate China into opening a port for trade. After an escalation into active military engagement, the Dutch were defeated and were driven off of Chinese territory.[8] Violence also occurred between neighboring European powers as a result of economic tensions. The Dutch - Portuguese War in 1601 occurred as the two colonial powers aimed to seize control of one another's overseas territories.[9] In a conflict that saw fighting in Brazil, West Africa, Angola, and the East Indies, Portugal maintained its hold in Brazil and Angola while the Dutch assumed control of the East Indies.[10] References |
| 随便看 |
|
开放百科全书收录14589846条英语、德语、日语等多语种百科知识，基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识，是一部内容自由、开放的电子版国际百科全书。