Unit 4.

Early Modern Period: New Trade Routes and Rising European Powers

Early Modern Period Trade Routes

• Three long-standing trade routes in the early modern period:

  • Silk Roads

  • Indian Ocean

  • Trans-Saharan

• Emergence of new trade routes and rising powers (Europeans).

The Ottoman Empire

• Strategic location: The Ottoman Empire was situated at the intersection of the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan trade routes.

• Control of trade: This location allowed the Ottomans to control trade across these networks, leading to wealth.

• Taxation of trade: The Ottomans taxed trade, unlike the Mongols, who favored tax-free customs to encourage the flow of goods.

• Impact on Europe: The Ottomans' control and taxation of trade created a problem for Europe, which sought access to luxury goods like spices, tea, silver, porcelain, nutmeg, and mace from Asia.

• Cost increase: Goods from Asia became more expensive in Europe due to middlemen and Ottoman taxes (e.g., $$5 in Asia might become $20 in Europe).

• Motivation for new routes: Europeans were motivated to find alternative routes to access Asian markets without Ottoman interference.

European Exploration and New Technologies

• New ship types: Europeans developed new types of ships such as the Carrack, Caravelle, and Fluyt, each designed for different purposes.

• Borrowed technologies: Europeans adopted technologies like the magnetic compass from China and the astrolabe from the Arab world.

• Improved mapping: They improved maps and began mapping the coast of Africa.

Portuguese Exploration

• Prince Henry of Portugal: Portugal, under Prince Henry, initiated explorations.

• Island colonization: The Portuguese first took over islands like the Azores and Madeira to experiment with settlement and cultivation.

• Coastal exploration: They gradually explored the African coast, establishing trading posts and a colony in Angola.

• Reaching India: In 1498, Vasco da Gama successfully sailed around the southern tip of Africa to reach India, opening a direct trade route to South and Southeast Asia and bypassing the Ottoman Empire.

• Competition: This success led to increased competition among European countries.

Spanish Exploration

• Christopher Columbus: Spain hired Christopher Columbus to find a new route to Asia by sailing west.

• Miscalculations: Columbus underestimated the Earth's circumference and was unaware of the Americas.

• Landing in the Caribbean: In 1492, Columbus landed on an island in the Caribbean, initiating the Columbian Exchange and the European conquest of the New World.

• Spanish expansion: Spain began to colonize the New World and discovered silver, which they traded with China via the Pacific Ocean, controlling the Philippines.

Other European Powers

• Additional players: Besides Spain and Portugal, France, England, and the Dutch entered the scene.

• North American colonization: These powers colonized areas like Canada (France) and established colonies like Jamestown (England) and the 13 colonies.

• Dutch dominance: The Dutch took over the Indian Ocean trade from Portugal.

Impact on the Ottoman Empire

• Shift in trade dynamics: While the Ottoman Empire remained present and continued to control old trade routes, the emergence of new routes diminished their dominance.

• The new routes changed and altered the game.