Flow Of Silver DBQ

Topics: Social class, International trade, Economy of the People's Republic of China Pages: 3 (703 words) Published: May 4, 2015
Alex Bleau 
3/16/15 
Mrs. Wollner  
Enriched Global 9 
 

Flow of Silver  
 
 

The Silver trade boomed from 1570­1750,making silver one of  the most traded items of the time period.  The flow of such  h​
h ​
silver during the mid­16t
​
 ­ early 18t
​
had social and economic 

effects to the regions connected by the trade , such as,  increasing class distinctions in China and Europe as well as  hurt the Spanish and Chinese economy.  The Silver trade puts a  countries such as China in situations whereas the Silver trade  helps or hurt the civilization. 

The Silver Trade became a major influence on the society of  those connected by the Silver Trade.  China’s society was  influenced by the trade of silver because the income of silver  was not shared amongst the people, causing farmers to depreciate  in standing because they are unable to grow crops without paying  for laborers (Doc3).  In a later time, this “gray area” casted  over China’s society seems to slowly lift because the middle  class profits from the use of silver more instead of barter  (Doc5).  Furthermore, in Europe, the middle class also gains in  social standing (Doc4).  The merchants and other businessmen  make profits by selling the silver that they get from Japan and  trade this for luxury goods in China.  Although the trade of  silver positively influenced some societies, the trade also gave  birth to a problem involving inhumane treatment of slaves.  From 1545 to the 1620’s, the Native American worked in dangerous 

situations involving treacherous ladders that over 3,000 Native  Americans worked on (Doc6).  A Spanish priest may think that  this is unjust to treat humans this way because priests support  peace and equality.  A record showing the number of casualties  in the mines would help assess how harsh the conditions were.  To conclude, The Silver Trade affected social structure,  depreciated value of farmers, and changed the way business was  done.   ...
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