Lecture Notes: Mercantilism and the Columbian Exchange

Upcoming Week and Class Logistics

• In-person classes are likely to resume on Monday.
• Focus for next week: Mercantilism and the Columbian Exchange.

Mercantilism

• Definition: An economic theory prevalent in Europe, characterized by competition among nations.

• Core Concepts:

  • Limited Wealth: Belief that global wealth is finite, measured in gold and silver (bullion).
  • Favorable Balance of Trade: Export more than import to accumulate bullion.
  • Manufacturing: Essential for producing goods to export.

• Example: England vs. Spain:

  • Spain:
    • Initially favored due to vast silver mines.
    • Lost due to lack of manufacturing and poor balance of trade (excessive imports from Asia).
  • England:
    • Focused on manufacturing and exporting.
    • Utilized the triangle trade for acquiring raw materials and selling manufactured goods.
    • Achieved a favorable balance of trade and economic dominance by 1750.

The Columbian Exchange

• Definition: Biological diffusion post-Columbus, not a trade route.
• Components:
  • Domesticated Plants: Food crops and cash crops.
  • Domesticated Animals: Food sources and work animals.
  • Microbes: Disease diffusion between hemispheres.
• Impact:
  • Unification of the eastern (Afro-Eurasia) and western (Americas) hemispheres.
  • Dramatic biological and cultural consequences.
  • Potential inclusion of human migration as part of the exchange.

Class Activity and Homework

• In-class activity:

  • Pair up and discuss plants, animals, and microbes from old and new worlds.

• Reading Assignment:

  • Interview with Alfred Crosby on the Columbian Exchange.
  • Focus on identifying key plants, animals, and microbes.

• Opinion Question:

  • Compare the impact of the Columbian Exchange, Neolithic Revolution, and Industrial Revolution on human history.
  • Provide personal opinion and reasoning.

Asynchronous Weekend Task

• Watch Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, and Steel" (55 min).
• Take notes using the provided PDF.
• Complete by Monday.

Closing Remarks

• No additional homework.
• Enjoy the weekend and prepare for in-person classes next week.
• Access video and notes PDF on Schoology by tomorrow morning.

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End of Class Instructions: Finish reading and questions on Schoology, and prepare for Monday.