16TH CENTURY: 1ST SECTORAgriculture/Cattle raising (pages 30-31)

16th century

Increase in population

Need to feed more people

BASICS ON ECONOMICS

➤ Economy based on agriculture (70%-80%).

➤ New development:

➤ Textile industry (need to dress (more and more) people).

➤ Commerce (growing importance = new economical sectors = new & different jobs, skills).

➤ Europe & New World (West Indies, America).

➤ Europe & Asia (East Indies).

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 1ST SECTOR

➤ Agriculture.

➤ Subsistence.

➤ Basic (primitive) organization.

➤ (Little evolution).

➤ (New scenario).

➤ (Changes).

➤ (Solutions).

➤ (Challenge).

CHANGES

➤ Need to cultivate more land = a demographic growth.

➤ Need to cultivate more products = new American crops.

➤ Potatoes.

➤ Maize.

➤ Tomatoes.

➤ Beans.

➤ (More products = more varied diet = better health = living longer).

➤ Old products: cereals, oil & wine.

INCREASING PRODUCTION

➤ (Single-crop versus multi-crop).

➤ Introduction to the crop rotation with animal pasture.

➤ (A wider variety of products + animal products (milk) + animal meat).

➤ Increase in agricultural production (more jobs).

➤ (Consolidation of agriculture strongholds).

➤ La Rioja/Duero Region = wine.

➤ Valencia/Castilla La Mancha = olive cultivation.

➤ Valencia = rice & sugar cane.

THE BASQUE ECONOMY IN THE 16TH CENTURY

➤ Agriculture.

➤ Cattle.

➤ Fishing.

➤ Forestry (Pinus Insignus).

➤ Mining.

➤ Iron industry.

➤ (The more diverse = the more opportunities).

WHEAT VERSUS MAIZE

The big battle

Why?

THE MAIZE REVOLUTION

➤ Andalusia = cultivated maize with some success (1530).

➤ Basque coastal region = more humid = better growth.

➤ (Cheaper to produce in great quantities).

➤ (Basic for human and animal diet).

THE WOOL TRADE

BACK TO THE TEXTBOOK (PAGES 30-31)

➤ Castile’s wool = the most prosperous economic section.

➤ The Merino sheep (Portugal/Spain) = highly valued.

➤ Exportation to Northern Europe = vía Bilbo, Deba, Pasaia.

➤ Good winter clothes made of this wool.

➤ The business controlled by “La Mesta” (royal privilege).

➤ (Open the business to more exportations).

➤ The New World = a new market.

OTHER ECONOMIC FIELDS

➤ Forestry.

➤ Fishing.