The Americas

Ch 17

American colonialism and slavery was a result

of mercantilism Colonies were to bring gold and resources to

homeland Gold was the measure of a countries wealth Monopolistic trade

Slaves- “cost-effective labor” Mercantilism brought heavy regulation

Result of scarce resources

I. Introduction

Also see p. 559

Began with Queen Isabella of Castile and

Columbus Claimed new world for Spain Castile controlled colonies

Regions ruled by viceroys Regulated by Casa de Contratacion (House of

Trade) Located in Seville Limited number of ports in New World and

Spain Regulated ships going to New World

Main exports were Gold, Silver and Sugar

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

I. Spanish-American

Colonialism Conflict with Portugal

Main claims were in Brazil Treaty of Tordesillas 1494- Dividing line that

gave Portugal Brazil and claims to India Spain had everything west of this line

Predominantly focused on the coast Sugar Plantations were the initial economic

boom

Conflict with Portugal continued

Rio de Janiero became important due to being a port close to the mines

Indian labor was greatly used in the mines Mercury was also important to this region

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

Management declined during war of Spanish

succession (1701-1714) Resulted in Reforms

Phillip V (r. 1700-1746) Tried to regain control End/reduce piracy

Encouraged by English Established viceroy of Granada (p.559)

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

Reformers continued…

Ferdinand VI (r. 1746-1759) Tried to exert power

Lost numerous naval battles Allied with France for protection

Charles III (r. 1759-1788) Abolished Seville monopolies

Opened more ports Viceroy of Rio de la Plata Improved bureaucracy Efficient taxing

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

People of the colonies

Indians Slaughtered Abused on plantations & in mines Killed by disease

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

People continued

Peninsulares- People born in Spain who came to the New World Superior

Creoles- Spaniards born in the New World Racial purity questioned (Mestizos) Not considered to be equal with Peninsulares

A type of Caste system formed African Slaves (discussed in notes later)

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

Conflict with the English colonies

English colonization 1st colony- Roanoke Colony 1586

Failed Focused on central east coast of the current US. Economy became heavily focused on slave

labor

I. Spanish-American Colonialism

Slavery was a common practice throughout

ancient times into the modern era. Slaves consisted of people from conquered

territories or POWs Slavery was also result of debt

Slavery in Africa Between rival tribes Arabs enslaved conquered Africans European enslavement result of mercantilism

II. African Slavery

Slave populations were not self-sustaining

1400s-1800s 12 million slaves crossed Atlantic

Close to 2 million died in transit Low reproductive rates

Higher in southern US Plantations create demand (Atlantic)

Male labor

II. African Slavery

Organization

Dutch and British take over trade from Portuguese British Royal African Company (1660’s)

Supplied Barbados, Jamaica and Virginia Spanish

Indies Piece- Healthy African Male Women and children fraction of this

Mulattos or Africans purchased and sold slaves Profitable but sometimes only 5-10%

II. African Slavery

Referred to as Triangle trade

1st side- Europe to Africa Guns, ammunition and other European goods

2nd side- Africa to New World Slaves brought over the Middle Passage

3rd side- New World to Europe Tobacco, sugar and rum

II. African Slavery

The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)

Known as the French and Indian War in America Started by Frederick II of Prussia

Invades Saxony France and Austria join Saxony

Joined by Sweden, Russia, and Spain Britain sends aid to Prussia

Later joined by Portugal Fought in both Europe and the Americas

III. Wars and Revolution

7 Year’s War continued

Britain wanted control of North America East of Mississippi River William Pitt the Elder

Used Prussian conflict to divide French forces Gained large amounts of territory Treaty of Paris 1763 ended French/Britain hostility

Tsar Peter III (1762) takes over after Elizabeth of Russia Makes peace with Russia Treaty of Hubertusburg of 1763 ended European

conflict No real changes in territory

III. Wars and Revolution

American Revolution

Britain needed funding after 7 Years’ War British taxes increased Taxed colonies

Sugar Act 1764 (Repealed) Lowered taxes but tried smugglers without juries

Stamp Act 1765 (Repealed) Printed materials required a stamp Argued they had no representative in Parliament

Declaratory Act of 1766 Parliament can make laws to “bind” colonies

III. Wars and Revolution

American Revolution continued

Cycle of Parliamentary taxes and Colonial resistance Numerous taxes repealed

Charles Townshend-Chancellor of the Exchequer Pushed numerous tax revenues Sent customs agents and troops to protect them

March 5, 1770 Boston Massacre Tea Act 1773

Favored British East India Company Tea was taxed but had to by the higher priced

British tea Boston Tea Party Dec 6, 1773

Resulted in Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts 1774)

III. Wars and Revolution

1st Continental Congress 1774

Self-government 2nd Continental Congress 1775

After numerous losses Tried to resolve conflict but started to push for

independence August 1775- George III declares the colonies are

rebelling April 1776- Ports open for trade July 4, 1776- Declaration of Independence adopted War ends with Cornwallis being defeated at Yorktown

October 19, 1781

III. Wars and Revolution

Afterwards

The colonies modeled their government after the British government (minus monarch)

Created Article of Confederation Was weak and scrapped

Constitution May-June 1787

III. Wars and Revolution

American Revolution’s impact

Showed that a colony can break from its motherland

Furthered decline of French Economy Paved the way for the French Revolution

IV. Conclusion