Silver Coins Essay

Submitted By omglookupnow
Words: 512
Pages: 3

Jenny Le
01/14/15
1st Period
Mr. Greaves

DBQ Free Response Writing

Between the 15th century to early 18th century, the silver trade has changed trading of Europe and Asia because of the social impact and the economic impact such as the price of silk yarn being sold for more in the Phillipines. The flow of silver between Europe and Asia caused the economy to focus more on the silver coin and trading for goods than before. Because of this, consumers had to pay with bills and coins instead of exchanging goods.
The first group is the impact of silver on Asia. According to documents 2, and 8 England would exchange gold and silver for goods in Asia and would not stop because the people of England became accustomed using Asia’s luxurious, perishable goods for a hundred years. Due to the high prices of goods in Spain, Asian commodities became even more attractive. The Portuguese would trade these Asian goods with Japan and China and in exchange for a lot of silver. As said in document 3, the price of grain falls because the government in Asia required tax but did not disburse enough silver to the people. The trading between these Asian countries and Europe would change the value of silver. From Ralph Fitch's view, a British merchant who writes about his travels. According to document 4, Ralph Fitch believes that Portugal uses less silver to purchase even more luxury goods to both sell and trade to China and Japan.
The second group is the economic impact on Europe. As stated in document 6, the silver mines in Spain became of great wealth. In China, the goods sold domestically was worth less silver than if it was to be exported out to foreign countries such as England. England would give silver to China in exchange for gold, perfume, silk copper, porcelain, and many other luxury goods to use in the country. The point of view for this group is from the Chinese court official, He Qiaoyuan, who oversees what gets imported