Chapter 14 Part 1

Muslims held a monopoly on the Indian Ocean. They were the source of supply for much of the goods that were being traded within the Indian Ocean. The city of Venice was a place of commerce commonly used for trade between the European Powers. Europeans resented both the Venetians and Muslims due to the fact that they had to rely on them as trading partners. Because Europe was not as developed as its counterparts, they had to pay for Asian goods with gold or silver. Europe's lack of dominance on the Indian Ocean ultimately lead them to find their way into the "ancient Asian world of Indian Ocean commerce."

The advancements in technological weapons allowed for the Portuguese to gain access by force to bases that were under the rule of weak states. They knew they could not control commerce through economic competition, so they aimed to enter this system by using arm force. They attempted to assign merchant vessels duties of 6 to 10 percent of their cargos as a means to make profit. Although the Portuguese were able to make their way into the Indian Ocean trade, they never exceeded to amount of half of the spice trade in Europe. Their unsuccessful attempts soon lead them to assimilate themselves back to their ancient ways.

After seeing the success held by the Portuguese, the Spanish began to think of ways to catch up to their counterparts. They established themselves in the Philippine Islands. In comparison to the Portuguese, the Spanish did not dominate these Islands through force. Instead, they formed alliances with the chiefs living on these Islands. The Spanish pressed their religion --Christianity-- onto the Filipino lifestyle. Women began to be displaced by male priest as their major role as healers, specialists, and midwives were taken from them.

The Dutch and the British began to get into the Indian commercial trade during the early seventeenth century. The Dutch held great business and maritime shipping skills that allowed them to become a highly commercialized nation. The Dutch took over the Islands of Indonesia to use for their resources. They took control of spice-producing islands and forced the people living their to trade with them solely. Additionally, the Dutch East Indian Company also took over Taiwan. The British East Indian Company established itself in Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta, and Madras.

Silver and gold also became an essential when it came to trade. Spanish America held 85% of the world's silver in the early modern era. Because the Spanish held control over the Philippines, they possessed a capital that was the destination to shipments of silver.