Guns, Germs, and Indian Ocean Trade

Flashcards covering the impact of disease in Mexico, the life of Cortes, and the Indian Ocean Trade.

Smallpox in Mexico

Cortes and his men unknowingly brought the disease smallpox into Mexico, which the Aztecs had no tolerance against. Within a year, 3.5 million Aztecs had died, and 80% of the Aztec population would eventually die.

Cortes's Death

Cortes died in 1547 in Spain relatively forgotten and living near poverty. He asked for his bones to be buried in Mexico, and they were.

Indian Ocean Trade Beginning

The Indian Ocean Trade began with small trading settlements around 800 A.D.

Indian Ocean Trade Decline

The Indian Ocean Trade declined in the 1500s when Portugal invaded and tried to run the trade for its own profit.

East African City-States

As trade intensified between Africa and Asia, prosperous city-states flourished along the eastern coast of Africa.

Africa's Exports in the Indian Ocean Trade

Gold, ivory, and iron were Africa's exports in the Indian Ocean Trade. These materials were sold to places like India, Southeast Asia, and China.

Africa's Imports in the Indian Ocean Trade

Cotton, silk, and porcelain objects were Africa's imports in the Indian Ocean Trade. They were bought from Asia.

Importance of Gold

Gold was needed mainly for coins, although it was also used for works of art, ornamentation on buildings, and jewelry in the East African city-states.

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese captain Vasco da Gama came upon bustling port cities such as Sofala, Kilwa, Mombasa, and Malindi in 1498 as he sailed up the eastern coast of Africa.

Da Gama's Mission

Da Gama's mission was to find a route to Asia by sailing from Portugal, around Africa, then on to India.

Da Gama's Return to Portugal

In 1499, da Gama returned to Portugal and told the king and queen about shiploads of gold, ivory, porcelain, silk, and cotton being bought and sold in the port cities along the eastern coast of Africa.

Portuguese Goals in East Africa

The Portuguese sent more ships to the eastern coast of Africa with three goals: to take anything of value they could find, to force the kings of the city to pay taxes to Portuguese tax collectors, and to gain control over the entire Indian Ocean trade.

Portuguese Actions in Port Cities

The Portuguese captured the port cities, then wrecked, looted, and burned them to the ground. The residents of the cities who were unable to escape were killed.

China's exports

China exported porcelain, spices, silk and luxury products

Arabia's exports

Arabia exported coffee and spice

India & Bengal Exports

India & Bengal exported cloth, yarn, silk and Indigo

Europe Exports

Europe exported minted silver

Sri Lanka Exports

Sri Lanka exported cinnamon

Indonesia Exports

Indonesia exported pepper, nutmeg and cloves