Columbian Exchange

Goods from Americas to Europe, Africa, and Asia

Goods from Europe, Africa, and Asia to Americas

The impact of the Colombian Exchange:

European populations doubled as a result.90-95% of native population died in first

hundred years from disease.

Mercantilism and the Triangular Trade

The Triangular Trade

Molasses to Rum to Slaves•Sugar plantations in the Caribbean required a lot of labor, so slavery became common•Molasses is made from sugar and was sent to New England•Molasses is distilled into rum which is sent to Africa…•And traded for slaves needed to run the sugar plantations

MercantilismThe main goal of mercantilism

was to increase the money in a

country’s treasury. Each country

wanted resources from its

colonies to help make money by

converting those resources into

manufactured goods. Colonies

also offered a new market to sell

those goods.

England

Natural resources

Momma makes money off her babies:

England used the Navigation Acts to make her colonies trade with her.

Manufactured goods

Isn’t that simplifying things a bit??

Of course it is. Many other goods were traded. North America began to produce a wealth of resources:

•Timber•Tobacco•Rice•Indigo•Furs•Ships

•Pitch•Hemp (for ropes and sails)•Fish•Whale oil

So, only the Mother Country Got Rich??Nope! In the colonies, many began to see large profits:•Traders•Ship builders•Plantation owners

And, a successful middle class was emerging:•Farmers•Craftsmen•Merchants

But Life Wasn’t Good For Everyone…

Many fortunes were made at the expense of others, especially in the slave trade