Compare the asian and the west european roles in the world economy that developed in the early modern period

The early modern period, which was the period that followed the period called the Middle Ages (around 1500 AD), and was marked by several important events worldwide that would drastically change the world as it was before them, especially the European powers expansionism. They gave birth to the early modern globalization period, which is how the historians refer to the globalization period after the archaic and before the modern one (globalization as we know today). They are best described below:

Globalization periods:

Archaic (From the earliest civilizations until XVII Century): Mostly inland culture and goods exchange (when through the sea, it involved only less chalenging seas like the Mediterranean or the greek Aegean); Didn't involve territory expansion, only discovery of new routes.Early Modern Globalization (XVII - XIX Centuries): Was mainly characterized by the expansionist aspect; Longer trade routes (including transocean); Discovery of new continents and new commodities (specially slaves).Modern Globalization (XIX Century - Modern days): Globalization as we know today, with deeper exchanges, non-hegemonic relations.

The european role was marked by the hegemony of the west european powers over the world (guaranteed by both the superior navy and dominance of several territories resulted from the expasionism, specially on Africa and the Americas). Although the main goal of the trade routes eploration was to expand trades with Asia, the charting of South America enabled the creation of the Atlantic Slave Trade, which was a high source of income for the powers that controlled it (Portugal and Spain), given that slaves were a greatly valuable commodity at the time.

Regarding Asia, the biggest and most important arrangement made was the creation of the East india Company by the British, that focused on the Indian Ocean region trades. It was also responsible for seizing control of large and strategically important parts of the Indian subcontinent, and the colonization of terriories in Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong. The company made possible the intense trade of highly valued Asian commodities such as cotton, silk, indigo dye, spices and opium.

This dominance benefited not only England but also the other European powers, even though they eventually expanded their dominance over Asian territories themselves.

Actually the correct answer is D. I just took the test :)