preview

The Age Of Globalization Began In The 17Th Century When

Good Essays

The age of globalization began in the 17th century when different parts of the world came in contact with one another by establishing trade relations. While globalization connected different parts of the world, it also gave rise to capitalism. The events leading up to globalization and in turn, capitalism, are interpreted differently by historians such as Timothy Brook, in his book Vermeer’s Hat and by Greg Grandin, in his book Empire of Necessity. This essay focuses on the interpretations of globalization and capitalism by these authors and discusses the impacts of capitalism between the 17th and 19th century. Brook argues that rise of global capitalism initiated through the movement and transculturation of products, people and ideas …show more content…

These transformation, according to Brook, brought an effect called “transculturation”, which connected people from different backgrounds and brought the world together. Another argument that Brook makes is that China was the main deriving force of the migration and movement of people and goods from Europe to Asia. Porcelain from China became popular in Europe and played an important role in the development of regular trade between Europe and Asia. The Europeans soon started to replicate the porcelain bowls. This is also an example of transculturation. Apart form the chartered companies, explorers such as Samuel Champlain’s conquest to find another route to China by using profit earned from fur trade, also played a role in globalization. Brook also emphasized on the role tobacco played in globalization, capitalism and transculturation. Tobacco, originally from the Americas, held a spiritual value to the Native Americans. After the arrival of the Europeans, it became popular but for different reasons. As a result, tobacco plantations were formed and from there, tobacco travelled to different parts of the world, including China, where it started having a different cultural value. This shows how porcelain and tobacco played an important role in connecting people together. Brook also talks about the movement of people that was took place in the 17th century, leading to the movement of culture and ideas. In the book Empire of Necessity, author

Get Access