HIS 2326 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Early Modern English, Spice Trade, Northwest Passage
17 Apr 2020
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1450s - europeans were isolated from asia bc of islamic empires. So euros who wanted asian spices the markets had been closed to them, trade that came through was pricy bc of select euro merchants (i. e. venice, etc. ) Spain/port began looking for alt trade routes to asia. English were late on that scene compared to others. English saw themselves as self supporting of basic necessities - trade networks for food, etc. from. Bristol - hub for trade, expertise in fishing/navigation - port, became imp. Trade they were involved in was with strong european powers - hanseatic league dominated north europe trade - confed of north euro towns. Had a base in london - steel yard. Similar to states within states, like a company. Had huge merchant marine - navy to conduct trade/business. Profitable enough to interest states, allowed monopoly rights. Attitudes of monarchy/gov - didn"t want to expand globally, had unique relationships with han league, etc.
