Question bank: European Maritime Expansion: Mercantilism

During the period of European Maritime Expansion, the search for new trade routes, the accumulation of wealth, and the competition among monarchies developed under the auspices of an economic system known as mercantilism. This system maintained that a nation's wealth and power were directly linked to the amount of precious metals it held and its ability to export more than import. Portugal and Spain, pioneers in this movement, extensively explored maritime routes and conquered vast territories. From this perspective, historian John Smith, in his classic study on mercantilism, states that 'the competition among European maritime powers not only drove the great navigations but also reshaped economic, political, and cultural relations on a global scale.' Based on this statement and your knowledge:

During the Modern Age, the Great Navigations marked a new era of discoveries and territorial expansion. This movement was driven by various factors, including the search for new trade routes, the desire to expand borders, and the spread of the Christian faith. In his book 'The Clash of Civilizations,' historian Samuel P. Huntington argues that 'European expansion and the Great Navigations were the events that most influenced the formation of the modern world.' Discuss how the motivations and pioneering efforts of Portugal and Spain in the Great Navigations influenced the configuration of the modern world, highlighting the importance of these events in the interaction between different peoples and civilizations. Also, consider the implications of these processes in the transformation of trade and international relations at the time.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal and Spain undertook maritime expeditions that resulted in important geographical discoveries and the establishment of global trade routes. This movement, known as the Age of Exploration, was driven by a combination of economic and technological factors, reflecting the principles of Mercantilism, an economic doctrine that emphasized the accumulation of wealth as a means to strengthen the Nation-State. António Sérgio, in his book 'Os Descobrimentos Portugueses e a Economia Mundial', highlights: 'The possession of overseas regions, ensuring the acquisition of raw materials and the opening of markets, became, according to the principles of Mercantilism, a factor of national prosperity and political power.' (Os Descobrimentos Portugueses e a Economia Mundial, 1918) Based on this perspective, answer the following questions: 1) How did the mercantilist ideology manifest in the policies and practices of Portugal and Spain during the Age of Exploration? 2) Analyze how the search for new trade routes and the establishment of overseas colonies contributed to the strengthening of the economic and geopolitical power of these two countries.

The European maritime expansion, which began in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, was motivated by various factors, including the desire to find new trade routes. During this period, two countries stood out as pioneers in the great navigations. What were these countries?