CHY4U West & the World

Legacy: The West and the World Chapter 6- The World in the 18^th Century

The West & the World - All nations had to endure the expansion of Europe as it embraced capitalism in the 18^th C. - Affected nations, 2 theories: Modernization Theory & Dependency Theory. Modernization Theory: explains that reason some nations are “developing”- failed to move from traditional to modern societies. No focus on science, technology, innovation, capitalism or democracy. Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth (p.212) vs. Dependency Theory: European nations created poverty and dependency to fuel own growth. Pool of cheap labour.

Arenas of Conflict in 18^th Century - Big players became Russia, Britain vs France, Prussia - Middle: Spain, Portugal, Italy… Dutch, Danes, Swedes - French hegemony thwarted… British took Gibraltar and Menorca. Treaty of Utrecht (1713) also gave up land in Americas (Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay, etc…) - Austria grew in power (map p.214) - War of Austrian Secession - Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748): British strength was growing… eventually led to war in 1756. - Seven Year’s War: French lost heavily, British were big winners… took over much of North America. Battle on Plains of Abraham, Wolfe’s troops defeated Montcalm. - Treaty of Paris: 1763- British maritime supremacy - Turks & Poles: Russia expanded land in South & East, securing its strength. Yet 25% of globe would soon be under British control.

India & the West
- India had much contact with rest of world, due to rich resources… but it was contact with British during 1700 that changed India forever.
- Moghuls (Mongols) had ruled India… under Mogul system of gov’t: navabs (provincial governors that controlled local landowners known as zamindars)…two were often in conflict… Moghul rule declined… establishment of British settlement in Calcutta in 1680 signified end of Moghul rule). British East India Trading Company… by 1765 had control over many power structures, became an official arm of British gov’t. Many British believed they had to reform India… used taxes to fund wars, and colonies… had an oppressive salt tax that Indian peasants detested, would become a great symbol used by Gandhi in 20^th Century.. leading to independence.

Islam & the West
- Islam: “to surrender to the will of God”. Religion founded in 7^th Century by the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims follow Islam and Qur’an. Post 1500s, Islam was expanding in N. Africa and Middle East. Ottoman Empire, ruled by Turks, was a dominant empire from 16^th-19^th C. Ottoman Empire became a threat to Europe as its armies & bureaucracy were efficient. Yet, they failed to develop artillery and navy… by 1800 empire was in decline.

Africa in the 18^th Century
- incorporated into world trade in 18^th C… European contact was mainly through coastal slave trading posts, did not go into interior.
- 1500: pop 11 million, with intro of American food (corn)… pop grew. Hierarchical society.
- slave trade forever changed Africa and society… by 18^th C, slaves prime export… America & Europe. 1701-1810 2 million slaves to England alone, millions elsewhere, changed population make up in many countries, weakened African communities.
Becoming a Slave: Existed in Africa before European contact. How? 1. “pawnship”: sell yourself or another person, 2. criminal punishment, 3. captured during war.
Colony at Cape of Good Hope: Dutch colony in South Africa. Dutch used coercion, poor treatment of people.
Abolition of Slavery: slavery was extreme & cruel… trip across Atlantic was awful enough… physical & spiritual mutilation indelible. Some enlightenment thinkers wanted end of slavery.
- end varied in places… Canada was mostly gone by early 1800s, US lasted into Civil War (1860s), in Caribbean had a major impact on population make up.

China & the West - China was praised by missionaries, and intellectuals took up the cause, often referring to China and Confucius as a country of “wisdom, virtue and good faith”. - Trade increased as the British East India Company took hold in India… China wanted silver, British craved tea…. Millions of pounds of tea made its way to China, mostly paid for with silver. British needed to get more silver from America to keep up demand… the solution came with opium. British grew opium in India and traded to China… created a huge problem, as 1 in 10 Chinese were addicted to the drug by the end of 19^th C. Trade: porcelain was in high demand from China… “china-mania”… fine “China” remains popular in Europe and many other countries of the world.

Europeans on Non-Europeans - Idyllic islands of Pacific: accounts of Captain Cook from his travels of Pacific Islands (New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, etc..), and Bougainville… stories spread with Defoe’s book about Robinson Crusoe. - Mutiny on the Bounty: 1787- The Bounty led by Captain Bligh… spent time in Tahiti… sailors took wives in this time… yet 24 days after leaving Tahiti the sailors mutinied and returned to Tahiti.. many moved with companions to the tiny island of Pitcairn (1300 miles east of Tahiti). Many people still travel and explore the beautiful Pacific islands today. - the trade that existed changed the world… demand for different goods from various places (spices, tea, coffee, etc…) changed power relations, led to wars and colonization.