In this Grade 5 World History and Geography lesson from Chapter 17, students learn how the Commercial Revolution reshaped the global economy through key concepts including mercantilism, joint-stock companies, and subsidies. Students explore how European powers used colonization and trade to build wealth, and how the Columbian Exchange spread plants, animals, and diseases between continents. The lesson also examines the causes and consequences of the Atlantic slave trade that brought millions of enslaved Africans to the Americas.
Section 1
Europeans Build Global Trade Networks
European powers established colonies worldwide to extract resources and create markets for exports, developing the Commercial Revolution through joint-stock companies, mercantilism, and favorable trade balances.
Section 2
Plants and Animals Cross Oceans in Columbian Exchange
European colonization created a massive exchange of species between continents. Horses, cattle, and wheat traveled to the Americas, while potatoes, corn, and tobacco enriched Europe, transforming diets and economies worldwide.
Section 3
Diseases Devastate Native American Populations
European diseases like smallpox spread to the Americas, killing millions of indigenous people who lacked immunity. Mexico's population dropped from 25 million to 1 million, while entire communities in North America were wiped out.
Section 4
European Powers Compete for Asian Trade
The Dutch, English, and French established trading posts in Asia after 1595, competing with Portugal and Spain. The Dutch East India Company dominated the spice trade while British expansion eventually led to control of India.
Section 5
Triangular Trade System Transports Millions of Enslaved Africans
Europeans shipped manufactured goods to Africa in exchange for enslaved people, who were forced across the Atlantic to work on American plantations. This devastating Middle Passage brought 10 million Africans to the Americas.
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Section 1
Europeans Build Global Trade Networks
European powers established colonies worldwide to extract resources and create markets for exports, developing the Commercial Revolution through joint-stock companies, mercantilism, and favorable trade balances.
Section 2
Plants and Animals Cross Oceans in Columbian Exchange
European colonization created a massive exchange of species between continents. Horses, cattle, and wheat traveled to the Americas, while potatoes, corn, and tobacco enriched Europe, transforming diets and economies worldwide.
Section 3
Diseases Devastate Native American Populations
European diseases like smallpox spread to the Americas, killing millions of indigenous people who lacked immunity. Mexico's population dropped from 25 million to 1 million, while entire communities in North America were wiped out.
Section 4
European Powers Compete for Asian Trade
The Dutch, English, and French established trading posts in Asia after 1595, competing with Portugal and Spain. The Dutch East India Company dominated the spice trade while British expansion eventually led to control of India.
Section 5
Triangular Trade System Transports Millions of Enslaved Africans
Europeans shipped manufactured goods to Africa in exchange for enslaved people, who were forced across the Atlantic to work on American plantations. This devastating Middle Passage brought 10 million Africans to the Americas.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter