Establishment of Maritime Empires

Introduction

• European states began establishing Maritime Empires in Indian Ocean.
• Motivations: Gold, God, and Glory.

Key European Powers

Portuguese

• Established a trading post empire around Africa and Indian Ocean.
• Used heavily armed caravels and carriots to dominate.
• Focused on controlling trade by force, not peaceful participation.

Spanish

• Established colonies in the Philippines.
• Used tribute systems, taxation, and coerced labor (similar to their colonies in the Americas).

Dutch

• Overthrew Portuguese dominance in Indian Ocean trade.
• Used similar methods as Portuguese for control.

British

• Initially had limited success in India due to the Mughal Empire.
• Set up trading posts; later, during the 18th century, transformed into colonial rule.

Continuity and Resistance in Indian Ocean Trade

• Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian merchants continued using the network despite European dominance.
• Resistance from:
  • Tokugawa Japan: Expelled Christian missionaries to prevent cultural fracturing.
  • Ming China: Attempted isolationist trade policies to limit European influence.

Impact on African States

Asante Empire

• Key trading partner with Portuguese and later the British.
• Wealth from trade (gold, ivory, enslaved laborers) helped expand military and repel British colonization efforts.

Kingdom of Kongo

• Developed strong ties with Portuguese traders.
• The king and nobles converted to Christianity.

European Empires in the Americas

• Colonial Economies: Structured around agriculture requiring labor.
• Labor Systems:
  • Existing: Inca mita system (labor for state projects adopted for silver mining).
  • New:
    • Chattel Slavery: Race-based, hereditary slavery of Africans.
    • Indentured Servitude: Contracts for labor in exchange for passage.
    • Encomienda System: Indigenous forced labor for Spanish authorities.
    • Hacienda System: Large estates using indigenous labor for export crops.

Development of Slavery

• Continuity:

  • African slave trade predated Maritime Empires.
  • In Islamic world, enslaved people could hold domestic, military, or political roles.

• Change:

  • Transatlantic slave trade much larger, with a racial component equating Blackness with slavery.
  • Approximately 12.5 million Africans sold into slavery over 350 years.

Conclusion

• European Maritime Empires reshaped global trade networks, often with continuity in pre-existing systems but with significant changes in scale and racial dynamics.

These notes summarize the key points on the establishment of Maritime Empires and their impact across various regions and systems. For more detailed study, refer to additional resources or course materials.