Transatlantic Trade & Mercantilism

ESSENTIAL QUESTION (Aim):

What role did mercantilism play in shaping the development of the transatlantic trade system?

Domain Vocabulary:

Transatlantic Trade, Mercantilism, Mother Country, Colony, Balance of Trade, Triangular Trade, Navigation Acts

Content Objectives

I can explain the theory of mercantilism and its effects on the transatlantic trade system by analyzing primary source documents, images, and maps.

Writing/Speaking Objective

Speaking: I can articulate how a specific document (e.g., map, law, cartoon) serves as evidence of the transatlantic trade system by discussing my analysis with a group.

Listening: I can synthesize information from multiple sources by listening to my peers' analyses at different stations and contributing to a group discussion.

Literacy Objective

Reading: I can analyze multiple types of sources (political cartoon, graph, map, legal text) to identify main ideas and draw connections between them.

1. Although this image is undated, it provides a cartoonist’s perspective on the definition of mercantilism. According to the cartoonist, what is the “mercantilist argument for colonial expansion”?

   
   

2. Provide and explain a specific example of a “mother country” who received “gold and silver”, “foodstuffs”, and/or “raw materials.”

   
   

3. Mercantilists also attempt to ensure that the balance of trade favors the mother country over its colonies. What potential benefits does this provide? What potential problems may arise?

1. This graph depicts the share of English households with a given object. What inferences or conclusions can you make about this graph?

   
   

2. How may this graph relate to the policy of mercantilism?

1. What contributing factors led to the creation of the triangular trade?

   
   

2. What effects may the goods exchanged in the above image have on North America? Africa? Europe?

1. What do you notice in the picture?

   
   

2. How does this image represent the causes or effects of the transatlantic trade?

Exit Ticket

1. What purpose would the British Parliament have in passing the Navigation Act?

   
   

2. How does the Navigation Act represent the causes/effects of the transatlantic trade?