Economic Impact of Exploration and Trade

Questions and Answers

What economic theories were put into practice during the age of exploration?

The belief that an economic system was based upon gold and silver.

How did the Columbian Exchange affect the Americas and Europe?

The Columbian Exchange affected Europe with a rapid increase in European population; it affected Asia with an increase in population due to more food being grown per square acre with potatoes; and it brought diseases like smallpox to the natives.

How did the nature of European exploration change by the seventeenth century?

The nature of exploration by the seventeenth century was chiefly by ships and naval exploration, with the Dutch ruling trade and surpassing other nations' economies during this period.

How was the Dutch form of mercantilism different from that of Portugal or Spain?

The Dutch form of mercantilism primarily focused on the spice trade. Signup and view all the answers

How did European expansion affect Africa and the slave trade?

European expansion increased the necessity for workers on plantations, leading to a larger demand for African slaves and a significant depopulation of Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Middle Passage?

The forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Signup and view all the answers

How did epidemics among the Native American populations contribute to an increase in the trade of enslaved Africans?

Epidemics among Native populations led Europeans to have a higher demand for laborers, as African slaves were stronger and had developed a second generation immunity towards European diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Economic Theories in the Age of Exploration

Economic systems were heavily influenced by the belief in the accumulation of gold and silver.

Impact of the Columbian Exchange

Europe experienced a significant increase in population due to new food sources.
Asia benefited from enhanced agricultural productivity, particularly with the introduction of potatoes.
Native American cultures were severely affected due to the introduction of diseases, notably smallpox.

Changes in European Exploration by the Seventeenth Century

Exploration became predominantly maritime, relying on ships and naval power.
The Dutch emerged as the dominant players in global trade, surpassing other European nations economically.

Dutch Mercantilism vs. Other Nations

The Dutch mercantilist approach was distinct as it primarily targeted the spice trade, differing from the broader mercantile strategies of Portugal and Spain.

Effects of European Expansion on Africa and the Slave Trade

The demand for labor on plantations increased, leading to a heightened trade in enslaved Africans.
This trade resulted in significant depopulation in various African regions due to the enslavement of large numbers of people.

Middle Passage

Refers to the brutal forced transport of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.

Epidemics and the African Slave Trade

High mortality rates from epidemics among Native American populations created an urgent demand for labor.
African slaves were often perceived as better suited for labor, given their relative immunity to European diseases, thus accelerating the transatlantic slave trade.

Description

This quiz explores the economic theories during the Age of Exploration, including the significance of the Columbian Exchange and the rise of Dutch trade dominance. It also examines the effects of European expansion on Africa and the implications of mercantilism. Test your knowledge on how exploration shaped global economies in the 17th century.