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Empire, War, &
Colonial Rebellion
You Bastards
18th Century Empires
European countries during the 18th century used
empires to promote mercantilism, and improve their
economic status.
Trade rivalries developed causing great strain
among the European powers.
Boundaries of empires established in the Treaty of
Utrecht in 1713. (Spanish Succession)
Mercantilist Goals
Gain a favorable trade balance of gold and
silver. (exports exceed imports)
Colonies established to provide raw materials
for growing industries and also to provide
markets for finished products.
National monopolies (charter companies) over
colonies meant there was no trade except
with the home/mother country.
Problems with Mercantilism
Many practices proved impractical.
Colonial production (particularly American)
competed against British factories.
Colonists and different countries wished to
trade with each other.
Spain unable to produce enough finished
products for colonies.
Spanish colonists wanted “Spain in the New World”
had to have all the comforts of home!
Spanish Colonial System
Casta System
Spanish society in the New World was based
on classes as in Europe.
Peninsulares: Appointed to serve terms in
New World and return to Spain.
Not as interested in the welfare of the colony as
they were in getting rich quick and heading home!
Viceroys: European born, high government officials
and upper clergy.
Casta system
Creoles: Colonial born whites.
Resented the rule of the viceroys
Owned large farm estates and mines
Well-educated
Lower clergy were also the Creoles.
Mestizos: People of mixed white and Indian
blood. Farm laborers for the most part
Mulattoes: People of mixed white and African
blood.
Slaves: Indians, Negroes or a mixture of the
two.
Limpieza de sangre
Gracias al sacar
Importance of the Church
The Roman Catholic Church as
an important force in Latin
American society.
Supported by the
government.
Used to spread European
civilization in the New
World.
Promoted education.
First universities founded
in the New World
Brought the first printing
press to Americas
Due to this spread of culture,
Latin American cities enjoyed
a higher level of civilization
than those of other North
American cities.
The Economy
Spain’s most important source of revenue
from the New World came in the form of
gold and silver.
Eventually agriculture replaced gold and
silver as its major source of revenue.
Sugar cane and citrus fruits (Imported)
Tobacco and Cacao (Native)
Cattle (Imported)
The Plantation System
The basic unit of colonial Latin America was a
self-sufficient farming estate.
Most were granted as royal charters.
Charters included the right of encomiendas.
The right to demand labor from Natives.
Due to harsh treatment and disease, many of
these people died.
Death rate in Peruvian mines as high as
90%
Due to the need for increased labor supplies,
the slave trade began during the 1500s.
People more suited to the hard work needed.
The Slave Experience
It is estimated that over 9 million Africans
were transported to the New World.
Passage to the New World was devastating.
Many ships lost over 40% of their slaves in
passage
Cheaper than trying to raise slave children to
adulthood.
Profitable!! Cost $25 and sell for $150 each
Due to the high mortality rate as workers,
there was a constant need for more slaves from
Africa.
Especially high in the West Indies
Look at the areas that the majority of slaves went to.
Think about what their population’s physical
appearance is today.
Life Conditions
Differed from colony to colony.
Portuguese treated their slaves the worst
In Spanish colonies the Church protected the
slaves somewhat but spent more effort in
protecting the Native Indians.
British and French colonies provided some
protection but was rarely enforced.
Laws passed to maintain order
fear of a slave revolt
laws favored the masters over the slaves in all
situations.
Emancipation Movements
The abolitionist movement began in Britain and
France during the Enlightenment.
Abolished in the French colonies in 1794. (but reinstated
under Napoleon)
Britain abolished slave trading in 1807. (Amazing Grace)
The Latin American wars for independence during the
early 1800s brought an end to slavery in many countries.
Began in Haiti with a revolution against France led by
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Series of revolutions throughout South and Central
America
French & British Rivalry
North America was a major
source of conflict between
France and Britain.
Competition among colonists
(nationalist sentiments)
Conflict over fishing rights
and fur trade.
Competition among each
other to gain alliances with
Native American tribes.
Rivalry in India
India was another source of conflict.
Competition for trade between the British East
India Company and the French Compagnie des
Indes.
The government of India was weakening during
the 18th century.
France and Britain both saw it as an opportunity
to expand their control of the region.
Both countries attempted to gain control of
the government in India.
Joseph Dupleix of France
Robert Clive of England
Each country attempted to stop the other
from government control of India.
Mid 18th Century Wars
War of Jenkins Ear: 1739-43
War that helped illuminate the rising conflict over
trade among the European powers.
Under the Treaty of Utrecht, Britain received the
right (asiento) to provide Spain with slaves for a
period of thirty years.
Britain also allowed to send one ship to Portobello in
the Caribbean.
Ship was resupplied
nightly by other British
ships
One of these ships was
boarded by the Spanish
Capt. Robert Jenkins’
ear was cut off by the
Spanish.
Eventually escalates
Event (1731) eventually escalates into a war
between the two countries (1739).
British merchants put pressure on Parliament.
Prime Minister Walpole forced to engage in war.
Remember Walpole was all about avoiding war – expensive!
Conflict dovetailed into the War of the Austrian
Succession.
War of the Austrian Succession
1740 - 1748
In 1740, Frederick the Great of Prussia seized
the Austrian province of Silesia.
Claimed he was not bound to the Pragmatic Sanction.
Silesia had rich farmland along with large iron
deposits.
Its population was largely German speaking
The seizure of Silesia began a series of
campaigns known as the War of the Austrian
Succession.
Pitted Prussia and her allies against Austria and
hers
A European War
Or World War I?
France, Bavaria, and Saxony sided with
Prussia (why?)
Britain, Russia, and the Dutch Netherlands
sided with Austria. (why?)
Prussia defeated
Lost almost 10% of its population
Its countryside was devastated.
Berlin was invaded three separate times.
The Diplomatic Revolution
After the war there was a major diplomatic
shift, with both Britain and France changing sides.
New French alliance with the traditional
Habsburg enemy against the rising power of
Britain and Prussia led to costly failure in the
Seven Years' War.
How were these
change cemented?
The Seven Years War
1756-1763 (WW I?)
Involved almost every European country.
Fought not only in Europe but also India and the
Americas.
The French and Indian Wars
At one time, Prussia was surrounded by enemies in
Europe.
With British aid, Frederick was able to hold off invasion.
Complexion of war changed when Russia changed
sides and joined Prussia.
Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the war in Europe.
Prussia allowed to keep Siliesia.
AUSTRIAN CAVALRY
Assault British Center
FRENCH TROOPS
Advance to meet British
AUSTRIAN INFANTRY
Advance on Prussians
PRUSSIAN INFANTRY
Waits for French Cavalry
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDERS
Ready for battle
FRENCH General
Inspects troops
PRUSSIAN Artillery Commander
Looks for a target
Britain defeated the French at the Battle of Plassey, thus
denying France control of Indian territories. The victory
paved the way for more control by the English East India
Company, which became the de facto government of the
region.
On June 21, 1756, 146
prisoners were
squeezed into the tiny
one-room military jail
at Fort William, for
one evening. The room
measured 18 ft. by 18
ft. The room
temperature became
very high, and only a
small amount of water
was given to a few
prisoners. Prisoners
died when they
became too weak to
stand, and were
crushed by other
prisoners. In the
morning 23 prisoners
were still alive. The
jail became known as
the Black Hole Of
Calcutta.
“Then the prisoners went
mad with despair. They
trampled each other
down, fought for the
places at the windows,
fought for the pittance of
water with which the
cruel mercy of the
murderers mocked their
agonies, raved, prayed,
blasphemed, implored
the guards to fire among
them. The gaolers in the
meantime held lights to
the bars, and shouted
with laughter at the
frantic struggles of their
victims. At length the
tumult died away in low
gaspings and moanings.
The day broke…”
European Claims in North America Before
and After the Seven Years' War (1756–1763)
Treaty Of Paris 1763
• Series of complex land exchanges
– France loses almost everything and Britain gains
(but proceeds to give and take with various
countries)
• Spain gains Louisiana from GB in return for Florida
– (France regains it in 1800 in a deal with Spain)
– France forced to give up defenses in India. GB
now de facto control under East India Company
– Canada becomes British but still has lots of
French Settlers who refuse to accept situation.
– And still do!
Importance of the 7 Years War
1)Britain effectively removes the challenge of
France across the globe. The American colonists
think they no longer need protection from France,
and the attempt by British Parliament to tax the
colonists to pay for the war and continued
protection sparked the American Revolution.
2) France and Spain embarked upon a major naval
buildup. Stronger Bourbon navies important in the
latter years of 18th century
3) France incurred tremendous debt and more in
the American Revolution. This helped spark the
French Revolution. The humiliation of the army led
to reforms and innovations which were later used
with great success by Napoleon.
Importance of the War
4) Prussia survived the war despite the early setbacks and
confirmed its place as an important European power.
5) Russia showed itself to be a major power capable of
enormous influence. This reputation will be enhanced later!
6) By its lack of participation, The Netherlands showed
itself to be in relative decline. (It was involved in the War
of Austrian Succession)
7) Britain confirmed itself as the world's dominant naval
and economic power and a force to be reckoned with in the
European balance of power. Eventually, Britain conquered all
of India and used its resources to further expand the
empire. Some non-"Eurocentric" historians believe British
control of India made the Industrial Revolution possible.
I do not agree. It helped but all that was needed were additional
raw materials. India just happened to be convenient a the time.