The Spanish Empire, Silver, & Runaway Inflation: Crash Course World History #25

Summary

In this Crash Course World History episode, John Green explores the global impact of Spain's colonization and the silver trade during the 16th to 18th centuries. He discusses the Aztec and Inca empires, their hierarchical structures, and how their conquests facilitated Spain's dominance. Green also delves into the economic repercussions, including inflation in Spain and China, the environmental toll, and the human cost of mining. The video concludes by pondering the worth of these historical events that shaped the modern world.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Spanish Empire's influence in the 16th century was global, impacting lives around the world, often in negative ways.
• 🏰 The Aztec civilization, which emerged around 1430, was highly hierarchical with an emperor, nobles, and priests maintaining order through human sacrifices to appease the gods.
• 🌾 The Aztecs controlled a vast territory and extracted tributes from conquered peoples, which included goods, precious metals, and people for sacrifices.
• 🏞️ Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, was an impressive city with canals and floating gardens called chinampas, providing food for its inhabitants.
• ✍️ The Inca civilization, predating the Aztecs, had a sophisticated administrative system and used quipus, knotted strings, for record-keeping.
• 🛤️ The Inca empire was connected by an extensive road system and integrated conquered peoples through mandatory labor and language assimilation.
• 💰 The Spanish conquest of the Aztec and Inca empires was facilitated by the chaos caused by diseases and the existing administrative structures of these civilizations.
• 🏔️ After the conquest, the Spanish established the Vice royalty of New Spain and Peru, adapting the Inca's mit'a system to extract silver from mines using indigenous labor.
• 🌐 The influx of silver from the Americas led to inflation in Spain and China, affecting their economies and leading to social and political instability.
• 💸 The silver trade connected the world, with China receiving a significant portion of the silver, which was used to pay for Chinese goods, impacting global economies.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Aztec alliance formed in modern-day Mexico around 1430?

The alliance of three major cities in modern-day Mexico, which formed the Aztec state, was significant as it grew to control most of southern Mexico, parts of Guatemala, and the Yucatan. It was hierarchical with an emperor at the top and powerful priests who performed human sacrifices to appease the gods and maintain order.

How did the Aztecs' rule over conquered people contribute to their downfall?

The Aztecs' rule was resented by the conquered people who were forced to pay tribute and provide individuals for human sacrifice. This resentment made it easier for Cortez to find allies and overthrow the Aztec empire.

What was unique about the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs' capital?

Tenochtitlan was unique because it was divided and serviced by canals, similar to Venice, and featured floating gardens called chinampas that provided food for the city.

How did the Inca empire integrate conquered people into their empire?

The Inca integrated conquered people by mandating they learn the Incan language, and they implemented a system called mit'a, which required every male peasant to do unpaid work for the Inca government for a specified period each year.

What was the administrative structure of the Spanish empire in the Americas after the conquest of the Aztecs and the Incas?

After the conquest, the Spanish created an empire with two administrative divisions: the Viceroyalty of New Spain, founded in 1521, and the Viceroyalty of Peru, founded in 1542.

Why did the Spanish adapt the Inca's mit'a system for their own purposes?

The Spanish adapted the mit'a system to mine and process silver from the mines. One-seventh of the adult male Indian population from each district was required to work in the silver mines for a year, being paid only subsistence wages.

What was the impact of the large influx of silver on Spain's economy?

The influx of silver caused skyrocketing inflation in Spain. The Spanish royal family did not understand inflation, and they collected the same amount of money in taxes even though its value decreased over time.

How did the discovery of silver in the Americas contribute to the English victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588?

The discovery of silver provided Spain with a 'war chest' that enabled them to build a large fleet, which was ultimately defeated by the English. The English victory was partly due to weather conditions and was credited to Queen Elizabeth I.

Why did China switch from paper money to silver coins, and how did this affect their economy?

China switched to silver coins after experiencing inflation from their paper money. They initially used copper or bronze coins, but due to the large size of their economy, they ran out and turned to silver. This led to a requirement for taxes to be paid in silver, which in turn led to a focus on producing goods, like silk, that could be sold for silver.

What were the global consequences of the Spanish empire's silver trade?

The silver trade led to inflation and weakened governments in both Spain and China. It also caused environmental damage and the destruction of the Aztec and Inca empires. Additionally, it resulted in the death of many people involved in mining and refining silver.