Seaborn Empires: 1500-1760

Lecture Notes and Wiesner-Hanks Textbook

How did rising population in Early Modern Europe impact society?

It altered labour supply, food demand, and prices, shaping debates about economic improvements and ideas about capital accumulation and commercialism

How did agriculture develop throughout Early Modern Europe?

Systems of the Middle Ages persisted, but many areas did see innovations of crop rotations, tools, enclosures, and land consolidation that raised productivity and supported urban growth → responses were uneven with some regions intensifying peasant commericialisation and others tightening traditional obligations

How did economic development differ between western and eastern Early Modern Europe?

Western Europe saw commercialisation of agriculture and market ties to towns whereas eastern Europe moved towards neo-serfdom with increased slave or serf labour 

How was mining important to the economy in Early Modern Europe?

Expansion of mining and improvements in metallurgy were important sources of wealth, state revenue, and technological transfer → stimulation of related industries 

Why were economic and technological changes in Early Modern Europe important

They restructured labour, social relations, and state finances, creating conditions for expanding markets, stronger fiscal states, and divergent regional paths

How was state involvement present in exploration in Early Modern Europe?

State involvement was common across states and crucial in order to foot costs and reduce risk of voyages → in return for sponsoring expeditions, states got taxes, colonies, and were able to spread religion

What were the main technological advances seen in seafaring in Early Modern Europe?

• Emergence of new navigational technology with gimballed compass, astrolabe, and techniques for coordination with the sun

• Portuguese caravel (15th century) makes deep sea voyages possible with new construction techniques, rigging of sails, masts, and manning → overtaken by Dutch fluyt that is faster and could carry more

• Rise of naval battles fought without boarding due to increased manoeuvrability, naval guns, and portholes

Technological advancements are largely shared due to difficulty in keeping them secret, especially with the printing press

What navigational techniques became obsolete?

• Use of charts and land-sightings to get bearings

• Mercator and Zacuto’s development of tables to locate ships using stars → only works in northern hemisphere with Polaris

How did Spain and Portugal have an advantage in terms of trade in Early Modern Europe?

According to the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, the west was owned by the Spanish (excepting Brazil) and the east was owned by the Portuguese (excepting Philippines) → reinforced with Treaty of Zaragoza in 1529 sanctioning Spanish and Portuguese expansion

How did European nations other than Spain and Portugal trade with the Treaty of Tordesillas?

They found routes around those held by Spanish and Portuguese, avoiding conflict and establishing other colonies, including plantation settlements that allowed states to profit without large amounts of trade

How do the Portuguese and Spanish trade empires differ?

Spain remains powerful and dominant until 1750, whereas Portugal falters around 1600 due to lacking manpower and prospects at which point the Dutch take over

Why did the Netherlands dominate trade in the east?

They had the best technology, fleets, guns, and commanders → Piet Hein being good navigator that captured Spanish fleets of gold and silver, Pieterszoon Coen ensuring spice islands remain Dutch and Amsterdam profits

How did the Dutch capitalise on their lucrative trade networks?

They established sophisticated banking systems with joint stock companies that could pool risk and allow for profit, as well as investing in other companies including the English East India Company

What was a result of Dutch wealth due to trade?

The Dutch Renaissance in the 17th century where since the wealthy could not invest in property, they invested in art and agriculture, leading to an artistic boom

How were the Dutch superseded in trade by the British East India Company?

It was a slow process, starting with England beginning to emulate Dutch practices, the Dutch investing in England, England increasing profit due to trade in India and Bengal, and slowly the British overtake the Dutch

Why were the English invested in India and Bengal?

They could not go elsewhere in the east due to Dutch presence, but soon found that both Mugal India and Bengal have sophisticated economies that are profitable → French eventually also compete leading to the 7 years war

What were the common traits shared by European states in terms of seaborne expansion in Early Modern Europe?

There were common themes of state support and shared technological advances