Activity 6. Slavery and the Slave Trade Transform Europe Source: Blackburn, R. (1997). The Making of New World Slavery, From the Baroque to the Modern, 1492-1800 (New York: Verso), pp. 381, 395, 541. Background: Wealth generated by the trans-Atlantic slave trade and trade in slave produced commodities fundamentally transformed European society. Population nearly doubled between 1700 and 1800 (A) and international trade flourished (B). The British economy (C & D) was especially successful. For much of the 17th century, The Netherlands had a monopoly on providing enslaved Africans to the Spanish New World colonies. As a result, one of the most striking changes was in Amsterdam and The Netherlands where slave trade profits supported population growth and paid for the construction of canals and dikes and the reclaiming of previously flooded land that doubled the size of the country (E & F). Examine charts and graphs A – F and answer the questions that accompany each chart. As a culminating assignment, use the information from charts and graphs and your answers to the questions to prepare a 500 to 1,000 - word essay describing the transformation of Europe during the Age of Colonialism. A. 18th Century European Population Growth, in millions England/Wales France Spain Total Europe 1700 5.8 20 7.5 100 1800 9.1 27 11.5 190 % change +56% +35% +53% +90% Questions 1. Which of these countries had the largest population increase by percentage in the eighteen century? 2. What was the total population increase for Europe in the 18th century? B. European International Trade, 1720-1800 Country 1720 1750 1780 1800 Britain £13,000,000 £21,000,000 £23,000,000 £67,000,000 Germany £8,000,000 £15,000,000 £20,000,000 £36,000,000 France £7,000,000 £13,000,000 £22,000,000 £31,000,000 Total Europe £62,000,000 £103,000,000 £137,000,000 £228,000,000 Questions 1. Which of these European countries had the largest international trade by value in 1800? 2. What happened to European international trade from 1720 to 1800? C. Tonnage of Shipping in British Overseas Trade, 1663-1772 1663 1686 1771-72 Northern Europe 16,000 28,000 78,000 British Isles (Ireland, Scotland, Wales) 39,000 41,000 92,000 Southern Europe 30,000 39,000 27,000 North America / West Indies 36,000 70,000 153,000 East India 8,000 12,000 29,000Questions 1. What was the number one British overseas shipping partner in 1663? 2. What was the number one British overseas shipping partner in 1771-1772? D. British Profits from Triangular Trade, 1770 (Prices in British Pounds) Direct profits are from the sale of enslaved Africans and slave-produced commodities. Indirect profits include financing, insurance, shipbuilding, provisioning, and the manufacture and sale of trade goods. Direct Profits Indirect Profits Plantation Profits £1,307,000 West Indian Trade £1,075,000 Slave Trade Profits £115,000 African Trade £300,000 Sub-Total £1,422,000 Sub-Total £1,375,000 Grand Total £2,797,000 Questions 1. How much profit was made from the sale of enslaved Africans in 1770? 2. Which was the most profitable portion of the Triangular Trade? E. Population Growth of Amsterdam, 1570-1647 Questions 1. How did the population of Amsterdam change between 1570 and 1647? 2. Why would the population of Amsterdam be able to grow rapidly during this time period? F. Land Reclamation in The Netherlands, 1565-1689 Much of The Netherlands is below sea level. Habitation and profitable use of the land requires an elaborate system of dikes, canals, and windmills to pump out ocean water. 0!50,000!100,000!150,000!1570!1600!1622!1632!1647!Population!0!1000!2000!1565-89!1590-14!1615-39!1640-64!1665-89!2.5 Acres!Questions 1. In which time period was the most water reclaimed from the sea? 2. Why would land reclamation be very