Global Connections: 1450-1750

Asian societies had strong centralized states and well-established cultures that resisted European cultural influences.

Indigenous populations of Asia were too large for any meaningful cultural impact by Europeans.

Europeans were not interested in influencing Asian cultures.

Asian societies were too isolated geographically from Europe for significant influence to take place.

Strict implementation of religious tolerance policies

Control of important shipping lanes for commerce

Abolition of slavery as an institution

Adoption of a centralized bureaucratic system

Spanish Empire

Portuguese Empire

Ottoman Empire

Ming China

Barley

Potatoes

Wheat

Rice

Indigenous groups might've faced more complex patterns of alliance and conflict influenced by Dutch mercantile strategies rather than British colonial approaches.

Native American tribes could've experienced accelerated assimilation due to Dutch cultural policies mirroring those later seen in Indonesia.

Widespread intermarriage between Dutch settlers and indigenous peoples could've resulted in stronger bi-cultural identities within colonies.

The Iroquois Confederacy may have maintained greater territorial autonomy through sustained diplomatic leverage with European powers.

Absolutism centralized power under monarchs who managed economies through heavy regulation inconsistent with Enlightenment economics.

Classical liberalism espoused minimal government interference in economics which influenced market-driven colonization strategies.

Social Darwinism applied natural selection theories to justify empire competition but emerged later than Enlightenment thought influencing imperialism rather than early maritime empires.

Feudalism persisted with its rigid social hierarchy affecting colonization but opposed free market principles inherent to Enlightenment ideals.

It caused significant deflation due to its overabundance.

It led directly to widespread industrialization around the world.

It served as currency facilitating exchanges between empires.

Silver was mainly decorative, with little impact on economies.

Incentivizing conversions to Christianity as part of the encomienda system as justification for labor exploitation

Leading to violent clashes between colonists and local leaders who resisted conversion efforts

Driving policies that encouraged educating indigenous populations in native languages rather than Latin or Portuguese

Prompting the establishment of independent syncretic cultures that transformed Catholic rituals

The spread of Catholicism was used as a justification for territorial expansion and control over indigenous populations.

Catholicism advocated for complete assimilation of indigenous cultures into Spanish society without conversion efforts.

The church's separation from state affairs limited its impact on colonial governance structures.

Religious tolerance under Catholic doctrine facilitated peaceful trade relationships with non-Christian societies.

The preservation of traditional social structures within West African societies despite European influence.

The promotion of industrialization within West African societies through government subsidies.

The enslavement of millions of Africans and the disruption of local economies.

The establishment of equal economic partnerships between West African societies and European powers.