European History

Paper Summary:

The paper addresses how the European interests in Asia and Africa were both similar and different and discusses the major points of contact by the Chinese and Japanese. The paper looks at the impact of slavery on Africa, the Americas and global trade. This work also discusses how Louis XIV's rule set in motion the issues that caused the French Revolution. The paper explores what business and economic issues cause people in capitalist systems to be dissatisfied with the old regimes and also examines how Napoleon's rule of his empire impacted Europe in both positive and negative ways.

From the Paper:

"It was only possible for this transfer after international trade had ensued. In fact the only time that Europe had an actual interest in common relating to Asia and Africa was during this time and was related to the transfer of the wealth of those two countries to Europe. Walter (1973) reveals that: "Europeans used the superiority of their ships and cannon to gain control of all the world's waterways, starting with the western Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of North Africa." And it was through controlling the waterways, or the seas that "Europe took the first steps towards transforming the several parts of Africa and Asia into economic satellites." (Walter, 1973) Walter (1973) relates as well that from the very first of the international trading system "Europe assumes the power to make decisions..." (Walter, 1973) In fact the country of Africa had no part in the making of these laws and according to Walter (1973) "African people were simply the victims, for the law recognized them only as transportable merchandise. If the African slave was thrown overboard at sea, the only legal problem that arose was whether or not the slave-ship could claim compensation from the insurers!" (Walter, 1973)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Louis XIV: Contributions to the Revolution Online available at: http://www.angelf ire.com/va/frenchrev/LouisXIV.html.
• Walter, Rodney (1973) Africa's Contribution to European Capitalist Development - The Pre-Colonial Period. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa Walter Rodney 1973 Online available at: http://www.marxists.org/subject/africa/rodney-walter/how-europe/ch03.htm.

More papers on European History:

• Analytical Essay # 142723 : "European History 1789-1900"
• Book Review # 130284 : "History Derailed" and European History"
• Analytical Essay # 16133 : "European History Quarterly"

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