Texts that had to be translated were works from Greece, India and Persia that were being translated into Arabic, as well as Arabic works being translated into Latin. This helped lift the spirits of learning in western Europe. New principles of chemistry were created in Europe. Distillation was perceived as to have miraculous healing powers and was made from magic. It was considered a panacea. Distillation was related to the infant science of perfume making in the fourth millennium BCE. This led to the discovery of distilled wine. Texts that had to be translated were works from Greece, India and Persia that were …show more content…
They started making their own rum instead of having it imported, which spread the idea that they could be self-sufficient and separate themselves from England. This separation from England’s imperialism gave way to many advantages for America. Spirits were highly flammable and caused a burning sensation in the throat after swallowing. Those who drank it were also quickly intoxicated and became violent because of the high alcohol content. The privilege of spirits was abused. Sailors began to drink rum which caused the sailors to become less efficient. Spirits became the main economic good for trading with African slave traders. The more spirits there were, the more African slaves the Europeans could buy for their sugarcane fields and the more those slaves were subjugated. The Europeans got coffee from the Arabs. Coffee was originated from Yemen, Arabia, where it was a religious drink. After it was introduced to Mecca and Cairo, it became a social drink which then spread to Europe. People who drank coffee instead of alcohol were alert and stimulated rather than relaxed and inebriated. Quality and quantity of work improved because of this. Coffee helped wake people up and stay alert more on a working day. This provided a forum for education, self-improvement, and debate. Coffee started off as unknown to Greeks and Romans. Coffee was sold on the streets, in a market square, and in coffeehouses. It was an alternative to alcohol. Balance of power shifted as more powers began to take an interest to coffee. Coffee had a lot of commercial benefits. Arabia became an unchallenged supplier of coffee by the 17th century. European countries depended on them to get coffee. Coffeehouses provided an environment for social, intellectual, commercial, and political exchange. They became a site for intellectual exchange between scientists, businessmen, writers, and politicians. Coffee encouraged intellectual activity. Scientists were able to find