Western Civilization II / Unit 4 WC2 0303 short lesson, about 20 seconds
From Gold to Commodities: Sugar, Tobacco, Coffee, Spices
Captions available
The idea
The first wave of empire sought gold and converts. By the seventeenth century commodities paid: sugar, tobacco, coffee, spices, grown overseas and sold in Europe. Commercial wealth was tied to overseas empires, constant war for market share, and the slave trade.
In practice
The anchor calls the trade one of history's greatest crimes.
Where people slip
Attributed as the anchor's judgment; the numbers come at 0313.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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