Establish

Definition

In the context of transatlantic trade, to establish refers to the creation and solidification of trade networks, systems, and relationships between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This term connects to the foundational changes in economic practices, cultural exchanges, and the rise of colonial powers, which ultimately transformed global commerce and societal structures across continents.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The establishment of transatlantic trade routes began in the late 15th century with European exploration and colonization efforts.
2. European powers, such as Spain, Portugal, France, and England, established trading companies that facilitated commerce across the Atlantic.
3. The triangular trade model emerged as a key structure for establishing economic relationships between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
4. Establishing trade networks had profound social impacts, including the forced migration of millions of Africans due to the slave trade.
5. The establishment of these trade connections led to significant cultural exchanges, resulting in new goods, ideas, and practices being shared across continents.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of transatlantic trade routes affect economic relationships between Europe and Africa?
  • The establishment of transatlantic trade routes significantly transformed economic relationships between Europe and Africa by creating a demand for African slaves to work on plantations in the Americas. This demand incentivized European powers to establish direct trade networks with African kingdoms, leading to increased exploitation and disruption of local economies. The resulting economic dependence on slave labor fundamentally altered both regions' social structures and economic systems.
• Evaluate the impact of mercantilism on the establishment of colonial powers during the age of transatlantic trade.
  • Mercantilism played a critical role in establishing colonial powers as it promoted national interests through wealth accumulation and resource extraction. European nations established colonies to produce raw materials for their home countries while restricting colonial trade to their own ships. This system encouraged competition among European powers for territorial expansion and control over lucrative resources, solidifying their dominance in global trade during this era.
• Analyze how the establishment of transatlantic trade routes contributed to cultural exchanges between continents.
  • The establishment of transatlantic trade routes facilitated unprecedented cultural exchanges between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As goods such as sugar, tobacco, and textiles were traded alongside enslaved people, diverse cultures interacted in ways that led to new agricultural practices, culinary traditions, and artistic expressions. This interaction not only reshaped local societies but also fostered a complex blending of cultural identities that would influence future generations across the globe.

Related terms

Mercantilism:

An economic theory that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and establishing colonies to benefit the mother country.

Triangular Trade:

A historical trade route that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas, involving the exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials.

Middle Passage:

The brutal sea journey undertaken by enslaved Africans when they were transported to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade.