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European World View and Exploration

European World View and Exploration. From Mercantilism to Adam Smith:. What was the motivation for European Exploration?. It has been argued that the motivation for Europeans to arrive in North America was spurred on by the 3C’s of exploration :

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European World View and Exploration

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  1. European World View and Exploration From Mercantilism to Adam Smith:

  2. What was the motivation for European Exploration? It has been argued that the motivation for Europeans to arrive in North America was spurred on by the 3C’s of exploration: Curiosity – the opportunity to learn about the world. The desire to learn. Commerce – the opportunity to make money through trade and the discovery of valuable resources. Christianity – the opportunity to spread the Christian faith throughout the world and to aboriginal peoples. Source: Sandwell, Ruth, CatrionaMisfeldt and Roland Case, eds., Early Contact and Settlement in New France (Vancouver, BC: The Critical Thinking Consortium, 2002).

  3. European World View • Explorers from Europe regarded their culture as superior and civilized • It was easy for Europeans to classify all the people found in North America as ‘Indians’ and ‘Savages’ • Europeans saw an natural order in which God has given man the authority to subdue the world

  4. European Concept of Ownership Europeans • land is to be exploited by man • Individual ownership is fundamental • Property=power • Social structure mirrored land ownership • Europeans came from a society with a large population and a small amount of land

  5. Early Globalization • Thousands of years ago, civilizations developed land routes to encourage international trade • The Silk Road, was an interconnected series of ancient trade routes through various regions of the Asian continent • Nomads traded with the Chinese camels and horses for silk, which they then traded with European merchants • Arabic governments, who were deeply involved in the international trade, became extremely wealthy • Many European rulers started to look for ways that they could benefit from the international demand for exotic goods

  6. Mercantilism God, Gold and Glory

  7. Characteristics of Mercantilism • “Bullionism” power of a nation could be measured by the amount of precious metal [gold or silver] which it possessed. • ‘Hard’ money was the source of prosperity, prestige, and strength for a nation. • “favorable balance of trade.” • Export more than you import [a trade surplus]. • Each nation must try to achieve economic self-sufficiency. • Those founding new industries should be rewarded by the state.

  8. Characteristics of Mercantilism • Thriving agriculture should be carefully encouraged. • Less of need to import foods. • Prosperous farmers could provide a base for taxation. • Sea power was necessary to control foreign markets. • Less need to use the ships of other nations to carry your trade goods. • Your own fleet adds to the power and prestige of the nation. • Impose internal taxes of all kinds.

  9. Characteristics of Mercantilism • Colonies would provide captive markets for manufactured goods & sources of raw materials. • Trade is a “zero-sum” game. • A nation can gain in international trade only at the expense of other nations. Manufactured goods MotherCountry Colony Raw materials Cheap labor

  10. Characteristics of Mercantilism • A large population was needed to provide a domestic labor force to people the colonies. • Luxury items should be avoided • State action was needed to regulate and enforce all of these economic policies. • State-sponsored trade monopolies.

  11. The Governments Role • Mercantilism suggests that the ruling government should advance these goals by: • playing a protectionist role in the economy, • by encouraging exports and discouraging imports, • especially through the use of tariffs.

  12. The Multinational Corporation • On December 31, 1600, the King of England, Charles I gave the British East Indian Company exclusive rights in Asia • The Dutch East India Company was established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia. • What company was given the monopoly by James II in Canada?

  13. Government Protected Monopolies • The government protected monopolies were the first multinational corporations to issue share holders stock.

  14. Who Benefited Most From Mercantilism? • Monarchs. • Merchant capitalists. • Joint-stock companies. • Government officials.

  15. The importance of Perspective

  16. Review: Motives of Imperialism • God, gold, glory • HOW DID Columbus reflect all 3? • Columbus financed his voyage through the monarchy of Spain, who were heavily in debt, on the condition that he pay back the loan plus gold, spices etc. • Columbus didn’t find these things, so what commodity could he use to pay back his loans? • In fact it became very important for Columbus to find more and more slaves.

  17. Consequences of Columbus’ journey • The Tainos people were subjected to many more ‘merchant ships’ seeking slaves • The Tainos people nearly became extinct. When Columbus first met them, the Tainos people numbered around 8 million. 4 years later, 3 – 4 million. • Bad Luck! What might of happened if Columbus had sailed further north and met up with the Iroquois or Haudenosaunee • Remember the Vikings? Should Columbus Day be a national holiday in many nations in the New World? Why/why not?

  18. The Move to Capitalism Adam Smith and the Market Economy

  19. Philosophical Differences Smith believed that only when people were free to compete in an open market would both the people and the economy benefit. Also argued people were motivated by self-interest Invisible Hand: self regulating power that ensures that as each individual pursues their own interests, society in general benefits

  20. Adam Smith (1723-1790) • 1776  The Theory of Moral Sentiments and an Inquiry Into the Nature of Causes of the Wealth of Nationswas published. • A vehement attack of the mercantilist system. • He argued that the basic unit for social analysis should be the nation, not the state. • Smith argued that all parties benefited when trade occurred

  21. Basic Capitalist Principles • Goods and services are produced for profitable exchange. • Human labor power is a commodity for sale  LABOR IS THE SOURCE OF VALUE. Goods & Service Businesses Households Consumer Spending Wages Labor & Investments

  22. What might happen when the European, capitalist world met the Aboriginal, non-material world?

  23. Aboriginal World View • Most Aboriginal societies were hunter-gatherer societies • Believed they lived in harmony with their environment – part of a balance • Many European concepts (ex: ownership of land, private property) were foreign to them • Believed they were sovereign nations, and entered into negotiations with European with this in mind • Expected to be treated fairly, honestly.

  24. Culture Clash • Using the film The Mission’ as a possible example, brainstorm some of the consequences that might occur as a result of conflicting world views between Europeans and FNMI. • What might be some examples of acculturation (sharing culture)?

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