Monday, January 25, 2010

Ways of the World: Chapter 15

I found it very interesting to see how powerful Portugal was, and how it was a force to be reckoned with in Europe's journey to the East. It is a strange concept because of the actual size of the country and the actual standing that it has now. However, being a country almost completely surrounded by water it doesn't seem implausible. The journey across the Indian Ocean towards the East was very necessary in the advancement in the economies of the European world. This journey would result in valuable benefits that could revive and strengthen their economies and wealth. Among these benefits were various goods such as spices/textiles and the development of trade systems and relationships between countries. The gain of these aspects would lend an advantage of certain countries over others in Europe.

I also found it interesting to learn that the Spanish invasion of the Philippines was in order to get an advantage on the Portuguese in the journey to the East. It proved a success by providing a place for Spain to hold their silver during the silver trade. Silver was labeled as one of the most important pieces that started trade being started across international borders. Thus definitely giving the Spanish the upper hand in the newly discovered idea of global exchange of goods. However, China became a force to be reckoned with as well. The Chinese/Indians, created many different products so quickly and at so little cost that it became almost impossible to compete. I also found it interesting and slightly amusng how in some places, for example France, it became illegal to use imported items from India or China because the government was trying to conserve and protect its own industry.

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