Atlantic Trade and the European Economy

Abstract

Most European intercontinental trade passed through the Atlantic during the Early Modern period, with the exception of Mediterranean trade and caravan trade through the Eurasian landmass, both in relative decline. Both the rise to primacy of the European economy and the increase of Atlantic trade have been momentous events in the history of the world. The temptation to links these two events has been very high in both popular and scholarly history since the nineteenth history. The debate about their relationship is not yet settled, as there is no general agreement on either the causes and characteristics of the divergence of Europe from other Old-World economies or the benefits that intercontinental trade have provided to European economies. This bibliography provides elements to answer the question of the effect of Atlantic trade on European economies. Looking at Europe as a whole is probably misleading as every country – and probably every region – had a specific experience of interaction with the Atlantic. This entry provides readings on the experience of Britain, Denmark-Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Spain. The experience of Britain is explored in more details in Atlantic Trade and the British Economy. Yet, it is so important to history of the European economy that this entry would not be complete without some readings on the effect of the Atlantic trade on the British Industrial Revolution.