HISTÓRIA GERAL #10 ABSOLUTISMO E MERCANTILISMO

Summary

The video delves into the Age of Exploration, focusing on the economic and geopolitical motivations behind European maritime expansion. It highlights the key roles of Portugal and Spain in pioneering overseas exploration, driven by the desire to access precious metals and new resources. The concept of mercantilism is explained, with Spain's discovery of gold and silver boosting its wealth and creating monopolies in colonial trade. The video further explores the colonial pact system, where colonies were exploited for resources exclusively by their European metropoles, shaping the economic and political landscape of the era.

Takeaways

• 😀 Portugal and Spain were the first countries to establish their nation-states, thanks to their strategic geographical locations, enabling them to lead the Age of Exploration.
• 🌍 The Age of Exploration was driven by the desire to discover the unknown, particularly across the Atlantic, as the medieval world was more focused on Europe.
• 💰 Economic motivations were central to the exploration, as European countries sought to obtain resources and profit from foreign regions that were not available within Europe.
• 🌐 The concept of Mercantilism emerged, with countries seeking to acquire precious metals and commodities from the New World to increase their wealth and status.
• 💎 The term 'metalism' or 'bullionism' refers to the quest for precious metals, particularly gold and silver, which were scarce in Europe and crucial to economic growth.
• 🇪🇸 Spain benefited from the discovery of gold and silver in the Americas, which enabled it to dominate the European market for these precious metals.
• 🌿 Portugal, while not initially finding gold in Brazil, engaged in the extraction of Brazilwood and later expanded its sugar plantations as part of Mercantilist practices.
• 🏴‍☠️ The Spanish and Portuguese empires imposed colonial monopolies on their colonies, where the colonies could only trade with their European metropolises.
• ⚖️ The concept of a 'pacto colonial' (colonial pact) defined the relationship between European powers and their colonies, with colonies being exploited for their resources while the European powers reaped the benefits.
• 🛑 Monopolies were a key feature of colonial trade. For example, the Spanish controlled the trade of precious metals and raised prices for Europeans who needed them.
• 🔗 The colonial economic system, fueled by violence and coercion, restricted trade and commerce within the colonies to ensure that profits flowed back to the metropole.

Q & A

What is the significance of geography in the Age of Exploration?

Geography played a crucial role in the Age of Exploration. Spain and Portugal were geographically positioned to be the first countries to venture beyond Europe, specifically crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This allowed them to establish maritime routes and expand their influence globally.

What is the relationship between the Age of Exploration and Mercantilism?

The Age of Exploration was driven by economic motivations, closely tied to the principles of Mercantilism. European countries sought to acquire valuable resources from newly discovered territories to boost their wealth and power, with a focus on obtaining precious metals like gold and silver.

What does the term 'metalism' (or bullionism) refer to in the context of the Age of Exploration?

'Metalism' or 'bullionism' refers to an economic theory where countries believed that possessing large amounts of precious metals (gold and silver) would increase their wealth and national power. Spain, in particular, benefited from discovering these metals in the Americas, using them to dominate European markets.

How did Spain and Portugal benefit from the discovery of precious metals in the Americas?

Spain and Portugal benefited from the discovery of gold and silver in the Americas by using these resources to fuel their economies and trade dominance. Spain, for example, brought large quantities of gold and silver back to Europe, raising its wealth and enabling it to control trade.

What is the concept of a 'colonial pact' and how did it affect the colonies?

A 'colonial pact' refers to an agreement where a European power, such as Spain or Portugal, would control the trade and resources of a newly discovered territory. Colonies were required to trade exclusively with the colonizing country, often leading to exploitation and restricted economic freedom for the colonized regions.

What does the term 'monopoly' mean in the context of the colonial trade system?

In the context of the colonial trade system, 'monopoly' refers to the exclusive control that a colonizing country had over the trade of goods produced in the colony. For example, Spain controlled the gold and silver trade, and other European countries were forced to buy from Spain, creating a controlled market.

What was the impact of the influx of precious metals on the European economy?

The influx of precious metals, especially from the Americas, had a significant impact on the European economy. It led to inflation, increasing the cost of goods and raising the overall cost of living. The increased availability of gold and silver also changed the global economic balance, strengthening Spain’s position in European trade.

What role did Portugal play in the mercantile system and what resources did they exploit?

Portugal played a key role in the mercantile system by establishing trading posts and colonies in the Americas. Initially, Portugal focused on exploiting Brazil's natural resources, such as Brazilwood (Pau Brasil), before transitioning to the cultivation of sugar cane, which became a major export.

How did the concept of colonialism affect the relationship between colonizing and colonized nations?

Colonialism created a power imbalance between colonizing and colonized nations. The colonizing powers imposed exclusive trade rights and control over resources in the colonies, often through violent means, resulting in exploitation and unequal economic relationships.

What is the relevance of the metaphor comparing monopolies in colonial trade to modern-day monopolies?

The speaker draws a parallel between historical monopolies in colonial trade and modern monopolies, such as public transportation or high-priced goods at events. In both cases, the monopolistic entity controls the market and sets high prices, with consumers having little choice but to accept the terms or go without the product.