Silver Trade Dbq Analysis

Alex Bleau
3/16/15
Mrs. Wollner
Enriched Global 9

Flow of Silver

The Silver trade boomed from 1570­1750,making silver one of the most traded items of the time period. The flow of such h h silver during the mid­16t

­ early 18t

had social and economic

effects to the regions connected by the trade , such as, increasing class distinctions in China and Europe as well as hurt the Spanish and Chinese economy. The Silver trade puts a countries such as China in situations whereas the Silver trade helps or hurt the civilization.
The Silver Trade became a major influence on the society of those connected by the Silver Trade. China’s society was influenced by the trade of silver because the income of silver was not shared amongst the people, causing farmers to depreciate
in standing because they are unable to grow crops without paying for laborers (Doc3). In a later time, this “gray area” casted over China’s society seems to slowly lift because the middle class profits from the use of silver more instead of barter
(Doc5).
Furthermore, in Europe, the middle class also gains in social standing (Doc4). The merchants and other businessmen make profits by selling the silver that they get from Japan and trade this for luxury goods in China. Although the trade of silver positively influenced some societies, the trade also gave birth to a problem involving inhumane treatment of slaves.
From 1545 to the 1620’s, the Native American worked in dangerous

situations involving treacherous ladders that over 3,000 Native
Americans worked on (Doc6). A Spanish priest may think that this is unjust to treat humans this way because priests support peace and equality. A record showing the number of casualties in the mines would help assess how harsh the conditions were.
To conclude, The Silver Trade affected social structure, depreciated value of farmers, and changed the way business was done. The global flow of silver during the mid­sixteenth century to early eighteenth century deeply impacted the economy in China and Europe. At first, the switch to silver currency was great for China. The economy was flourishing so much, that
a limitation on how much you can spend on weddings was thought of
(Doc1). This proves that economy was doing well because people were able to spend more on wedding in result of the Silver
Trade.
The abundance of silver also flowed out of Spain and into China for commodities (Doc2). The flow of silver weakened
China’s economy during the 1590’s because although China gained silver, the government hoarded it, causing a deflation in prices, further causing less cultivation (Doc3). During 1626, a ban on foreign trade caused prices of Asian commodities to rise
(Doc7). The repeal of the ban would bring more silver into
China, trade a busy custom once again. A chart showing the income of silver and gold before and during the ban on foreign trade could be used to further persuade the Emperor into releasing the ban. Not only in China did the flow of silver effect the economy, but also in England. In England, Asia supplies luxury materials, causing England to send gold and silver, for which it never returns, causes England to lose

silver and gold. Charles D’Avenant could be biased because he is an English Scholar, possibly making him support England’s economic gain by not restricting Indian Textiles (Doc8). In conclusion, global trade of silver influenced the economy by allowing more money to be spent, as seen in documents 1&2, increase global trade, and increased mercantilism.
h
The global trade of silver between the mid 16t

century and h the early 18t

century caused social as well as economic effects

in all regions that were connected with the trade by increasing global trade, hurting the Spanish and Chinese economy and causing social divisions in China and Spanish territories. The trade could also be compared to other known trade routes such as the Triangular trade and Columbian Exchange because they each affect parts of the worlds in social and economic ways, as well as good and bad. To conclude, the ways that the trade of silver affected different regions vary, based on how silver was spread amongst the region.