1. Question: Using documents, discuss the effects of the development of the Atlantic trade and its impact on the participating civilizations from 1450-1750. Keep in mind what kinds of additional documents you need to assess the consequences of this economic endeavor. HOW TO DBQ
2. Planning Chart Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3. Bias/Perspective: 1773 – Toward end of Slave trade – Europeans began to question the morality of the slave trade; also does not mention disease as biggest killer of Native Americans Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 1 All Three Economic, Social Pos- Europe, Neg - others Sugar Document 1 “ I do not know if coffee and sugar are essential to the happiness of Europe, but I do know well that these two products have accounted for the unhappiness of two great regions of the world: America has been depopulated so as to have land on which to plant them; Africa has been depopulated so as to have the people to cultivate them.” - from Volume 1 of J.H. Bernardin de Saint Pierre’s Voyage to the Isle de France, Isle de Bourbon, The Cape of Good Hope… (1773)
4. Bias/Perspective: Guiseppe Andreoni is a Portuguese man describing the process of making sugar and he, at times, is sympathetic of how hard the work is for the slaves. Tells us he is not scared to tell the truth about dangers of slaves and the difficulty of this process. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 2 Latin America Economic, Social Negative Sugar Document 2
5. - Anonymous advisor to King of France Bias/Perspective: Makes us aware of the competition between European nations and the economic advantages of getting involved in capitalist opportunities. This advisor was truly concerned with future of France. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 3 Europe Economic Positive - Europe Sugar Document 3
6. Source: Antonio Vazquez de Espinosa – Compendium and Description (c.1620) Bias/Perspective: This is from a Spaniard who seems concerned about the treatment of the Native Americans. This is in 1620, well after Bartolome de las Casas first shed light on this. Could he be exaggerating to help their cause? Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 4 Latin America Economic and Social Negative Silver Document 4
7. Bias/Perspective: In 1532, Atlantic Trade was still very new and merchants like Georg Gisze had portraits like this made to show off their new found wealth. There are no religious symbols which shows a more secular outlook and all his goods show the importance of trade and education. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 5 Europe Economic, Social Positive Perhaps all three Document 5
8. Bias/Perspective: African Christian King asking Portuguese to stop slave trade with them because it is hurting his own society. Does he simply want more control over his kingdom and not be under the control of Portugal? Perhaps slavery is no longer profitable for him. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 6 Africa Political, Economic Negative Slaves Document 6
9. Bias/Perspective: Map only shows Atlantic trade routes and does not show slave trade to the Arab world. Map also does not show amount of indentured servants going to the new world to work. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 7 All Three Economic Pos – merchants Neg – slaves All Three Document 7
11. Bias/Perspective: First hand account of a slave’s experience. His account is graphic but seems accurate especially when we compare it to Doc. 2 and 4. Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 8 Africa Economic and social Negative Slaves
12. Planning Chart Doc Europe, Latin America, Africa S.P.R.I.T.E. Positive or Negative impact Silver, Sugar, Slaves 1 All Three Economic, Social Pos- Europe, Neg - others Sugar, Slaves 2 Latin America Economic, Social Negative Sugar 3 Europe Economic Positive Sugar 4 Latin America Economic and Social Negative Silver 5 Europe Economic, Social Positive Perhaps all three 6 Africa Political, Economic Negative Slaves 7 All Three Economic Pos – merchants Neg – slaves All Three 8 Africa Economic, Social Negative Slaves
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14. Develop a Thesis Take some time to write a thesis of your own! From 1450-1750 the Atlantic trade had a positive impact on Western Europe and a negative impact on Latin America and Africa. From 1450-1750, using the silver from Latin America, the sugar planted by the Europeans, and the slaves taken from Africa, a truly global trade developed that led to the rise and dominance of Western Europe. The development of free-market capitalism led by Western European entrepreneurs caused the suffering of Latin American and African people and the destruction of their societies. The discovery of the Americas and the development of the Columbian Exchange in the late 15 th century was the greatest turning point in human history by influencing the economic and social aspects of Latin America, Africa, and Western Europe.
15. Missing Voice Document After you analyze the sources provided, what additional document/s would you need to help prove your thesis about this situation! An African Slave Trader A chart depicting the quantity and price of sugar and silver over time 1450-1750 The testimony of a Native American who worked on the plantations or in the mines. A diary entry or a recording from an oral story that reflected the benefits of the slave trade for some of the West African Kingdoms like Asante, Benin, or Kongo. This would help prove just how lucrative the silver and sugar trade was for the Western Europeans. Could combine it with a chart depicting the amount of slaves brought over from Africa and the decline of Latin American population. What was their daily life like? Were they mistreated and abused?
