#AP US History: Transatlantic Trade & Mercantilism - The Night Before

Hey! Let's get you feeling confident for tomorrow. We're going to break down the Transatlantic Trade and Mercantilism – key topics that often pop up on the exam. Think of this as your final power-up before the big day! 💪

#The Atlantic World: A Highway of Exchange

#Connecting Continents

• The Atlantic Ocean wasn't just a big body of water; it was a highway connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
• This connection led to a massive exchange of goods, people, and ideas—a process known as the transatlantic trade.
• These interactions had a profound impact on everyone involved: Europeans, colonists, enslaved Africans, and Native Americans.

#Mercantilism: The Economic Engine of Empire

#What is it?

• Mercantilism was the dominant economic theory in Europe from about 1500-1750. * It's all about wealth = power. Countries believed that accumulating gold and silver was the key to national strength.
• The goal was to export more than you import – sell as much as possible and buy as little as possible.

#Colonies: The Key to Mercantilism

• Mercantilism fueled European colonization. Colonies were seen as sources of raw materials and markets for finished goods.
• This system ensured that the mother country (like Britain) benefited the most.

#Navigation Acts: Britain's Control

• The Navigation Acts (starting in 1650) were designed to enforce mercantilism. They restricted colonial trade to only Britain.
• Colonists weren't allowed to trade with other countries, which stifled their economic freedom.
• There was a period of "salutary neglect" where Britain didn't strictly enforce these laws. But that changed after 1763 when Britain needed money to pay off war debts.

#Mercantilism: Pros and Cons

• Pros for Colonists: Some colonists, like those producing shipbuilding materials and tobacco, had a guaranteed British market.
• Cons for Colonists: Most colonists hated mercantilism because it limited their economic freedom. They couldn't sell to the highest bidder or buy from the cheapest source.
• The South, in particular, resented British control over prices and the products they were forced to buy.

#Triangular Trade: The Complex Reality

#How it Worked

• The triangular trade was a direct result of mercantilism. It involved three main points: the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

  1. Americas to Europe/Africa: Raw materials (lumber, furs, tobacco, sugar).
  2. Europe to Africa/Americas: Finished goods (cloth, tools, furniture).
  3. Africa to Americas: Enslaved people.

#The West Indies Connection

• The West Indies were crucial, especially for sugar and molasses.
• New Englanders would turn molasses into rum, which was then traded in Africa for enslaved people.
• Food and timber from the colonies were traded for goods in the West Indies.

Image Courtesy of World Wide Imperialism

#Final Exam Focus

#High-Priority Topics

• Mercantilism: Understand its goals, how it shaped colonial policy, and why colonists resented it.
• Navigation Acts: Know what they were and why they were significant.
• Triangular Trade: Understand the flow of goods and people, and recognize its connection to slavery.
• Colonial Resistance: Be ready to discuss how mercantilism and trade restrictions led to tension between the colonies and Britain.

#Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your understanding of the economic principles of mercantilism and the impact of the Navigation Acts.
• Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Be prepared to explain the causes and effects of the triangular trade or the impact of mercantilism on colonial development.
• Free Response Questions (FRQs): These might ask you to analyze the extent to which mercantilism shaped colonial-British relations, or compare the economic systems of different colonial regions.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the questions. They often contain clues to the answer.
• Connect the Dots: Remember that these topics are interconnected. Think about how mercantilism led to the triangular trade and how both contributed to colonial discontent.
• Stay Calm: You've got this! Take a deep breath and trust your preparation.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following best describes the economic policy of mercantilism? (A) Free trade among nations (B) Government control of trade to maximize exports and accumulate wealth (C) Laissez-faire economics with minimal government intervention (D) Emphasis on agricultural production over manufacturing

2. The Navigation Acts were primarily intended to: (A) Encourage colonial manufacturing (B) Promote free trade between colonies and other nations (C) Enforce mercantilist policies and control colonial trade (D) Protect colonial shipping from piracy

3. The triangular trade involved the exchange of goods and people between: (A) Europe, Asia, and Africa (B) North America, South America, and Europe (C) Europe, Africa, and the Americas (D) Asia, Africa, and the Americas

#Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the ways in which mercantilism and the transatlantic trade impacted the development of the British colonies in North America from 1607 to 1754. Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.

  • Example: "Mercantilism and the transatlantic trade significantly shaped the economic, social, and political development of the British colonies in North America, fostering both prosperity and resentment towards British rule."

• Argument Development (2 points):

  • Evidence (2 points): Provides specific historical examples to support the thesis. For example:
    • Mercantilism led to the Navigation Acts, which restricted colonial trade and fostered resentment.
    • The triangular trade brought economic benefits to some colonists but also perpetuated slavery, creating social tensions.
    • Colonial economies developed differently based on their role in the transatlantic trade (e.g., cash crops in the South, shipping in New England).
  • Analysis (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the thesis. For example:
    • The Navigation Acts led to smuggling and colonial resistance, which foreshadowed later conflicts.
    • The economic benefits of the triangular trade were unevenly distributed, contributing to social stratification.
    • The colonies became dependent on the transatlantic trade, which shaped their economic and social structures.

• Synthesis (1 point): Extends the argument by connecting it to other historical contexts or themes. For example:

  • Connect the impacts of mercantilism and the transatlantic trade to later events like the American Revolution.
  • Compare the impact of mercantilism on the British colonies to that of other European powers in the Americas.

Alright, you've got this! Go get 'em! 🎉