In this Grade 4 lesson from Discovering Our Past: a History of the World, Chapter 21, students learn how European nations built colonial empires in the Americas through plantations, cash crops, and the forced labor of enslaved Africans. The lesson covers key vocabulary including mercantilism, commerce, and cottage industry, while examining how Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands competed for wealth and territory after the Treaty of Tordesillas. Students also explore how the Columbian Exchange and worldwide trade networks transformed economies and cultures across continents.
Section 1
European Nations Establish Colonial Empires
Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands built American colonies for wealth and religious expansion. They set up plantations for cash crops and used enslaved Africans as the native population declined.
Section 2
Merchants Transform Trade Through New Business Systems
Entrepreneurs created joint-stock companies where investors shared expenses and profits of overseas trade. Merchants also established cottage industries, hiring peasants to produce goods in their homes instead of relying on guilds.
Section 3
Columbian Exchange Reshapes Global Economies
Europeans and Americans traded foods, animals, and technology across continents. Corn, potatoes, and tomatoes transformed European diets, while wheat, livestock, and horses changed life in the Americas.
Section 4
Mercantilism Drives Colonial Expansion
European nations followed mercantilism, believing a country's power depended on gold and silver. Colonies supplied raw materials that were manufactured in the homeland, creating a system where exports exceeded imports.
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Section 1
European Nations Establish Colonial Empires
Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands built American colonies for wealth and religious expansion. They set up plantations for cash crops and used enslaved Africans as the native population declined.
Section 2
Merchants Transform Trade Through New Business Systems
Entrepreneurs created joint-stock companies where investors shared expenses and profits of overseas trade. Merchants also established cottage industries, hiring peasants to produce goods in their homes instead of relying on guilds.
Section 3
Columbian Exchange Reshapes Global Economies
Europeans and Americans traded foods, animals, and technology across continents. Corn, potatoes, and tomatoes transformed European diets, while wheat, livestock, and horses changed life in the Americas.
Section 4
Mercantilism Drives Colonial Expansion
European nations followed mercantilism, believing a country's power depended on gold and silver. Colonies supplied raw materials that were manufactured in the homeland, creating a system where exports exceeded imports.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter