Silk Routes across Asia to the Mediterranean basin

Maritime routes across the Indian Ocean

Trans-Saharan routes across North Africa

Northern European links with the Black Sea

Western European sea and river trade

South China Sea and lands of Southeast Asia

Exchange of products and ideas

Expansion of overseas territorial claims and European emigration to North and South America

Demise of Aztec and Inca Empires

Legacy of a rigid class system and dictatorial rule in Latin America

Forced migration of Africans who had been enslaved

Colonies’ imitation of the culture and social patterns of their parent countries
Africa

European trading posts along the coast

Trade in slaves, gold, and other resources

Colonization by small groups of merchants (India, the Indies, China) 

Influence of trading companies (Portuguese, Dutch, British)

Western Hemisphere agricultural products, such as corn, potatoes, and tobacco, changed European lifestyles.

European horses and cattle changed the lifestyles of American Indians.

European diseases, such as smallpox, killed many American Indians.

Shortage of labor to grow cash crops led to the use of African slaves.

Slavery was based on race.

European plantation system in the Caribbean and the Americas destroyed indigenous economics and damaged the environment.

European maritime nations competed for overseas markets, colonies, and resources.

A new economic system emerged:

New money and banking systems were created.

Economic practices such as mercantilism evolved.

Colonial economies were limited by the economic needs of the mother country.

Gold and silver exported to Europe and Asia

Impact on indigenous empires of the Americas

Impact on Spain and international trade.

Creation of foreign enclaves to control trade

Imperial policy of controlling foreign influences and trade

Increase in European demand for Chinese goods (tea, porcelain)

Japan

Characterized by a powerless emperor controlled by a military leader (shogun)

Adopted policy of isolation to limit foreign influences