Atlantic Trade 1492-1750
The history of the world consists of things that interrupt continuity. This is abundantly clear during certain time periods, especially when the cultures of Europe, Africa, and the Americas collided in the fifteenth century. The interest in economic growth in Europe, an abundance of resources in the Americas, and the availability of slaves in Africa created a perfect storm that interrupted some continuities from before. Africa was a patriarchal society. As they participated in the slave trade the male population dropped because of the high demand of male slaves in the Americas. This caused a gender imbalance in Africa, forcing many of the male roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the women. When the Americas were first founded, they were used as mining grounds. The America’s exponential amount of silver and gold made itself and Europe rich, and caused a need for slaves to mine. In the early seventeen hundreds, this was disrupted because of the decrease of precious metals found and slaves thanks to poor conditions. This caused a need for new exports so the Americas switched their main item of trade to cash crops, forming a new agriculturally based society. An interest in expanding wealth and influence along with an interest in promoting the work of the church made Europe begin to look beyond its borders. Prior to their interaction with the Americas, the Europeans the European economy grew thanks to their exploratory desires. After finding America, the European economy continued to expand. The abundance of precious metal in the Americas brought Europe and increase of influence and a large financial growth. As stated earlier, the interaction between the Atlantic continents created great wealth for Europe, a social shift in Africa, and extensive colonial shift in the Americas. These interactions were dominantly positive, helping out all of the Atlantic continents in some way.