Wednesday, May 25, 2016

The Spanish Empire, Silver, & Runaway Inflation: Crash Course World History #25


In which John Green explores how Spain went from being a middling European power to one of the most powerful empires on Earth, thanks to their plunder of the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries. Learn how Spain managed to destroy the two biggest pre-Columbian civilizations, mine a mountain made of silver, mishandle their economy, and lose it all by the mid-1700s. Come along for the roller coaster ride with Charles I (he was also Charles V), Philip II, Atahualpa, Moctezuma, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro as Spain rises and falls, and takes two empires and China down with them.


9 comments:

Dennis Estrada said...

Very interesting connection between America, Europe and Asia through the movement of silver and trade overall. The impact this had in the global economy, a term nobody would have used back then at least not in the way we do today. We can see the phenomenon of inflation acting and regulating finances as far back as the 15 or 1600s. Maybe this inspired some of the greatest philosophers and socio-political thinkers of the time. I'm thinking Hume, Ricardo, Smith, Marx, etc.

Unknown said...

When he mentioned that the hierarchy systems were very similar to the ones in Europe, I remember seeing that when I went to London. I think they still have the most similar government to the Aztecs with the Queen at the top and then the people lower down. On another note, these are somewhat helpful but he talks very fast so I have to watch them several times to understand it. And I'm still going through that process. But, I like the simplification.

Unknown said...

This is a perfect example of the first ever "global economy", and how it influenced the lives of both continents. I really like the way he presents the historical elements in the video, and although very simplified it still gives a good explanation on the trade between both worlds.

Unknown said...

I knew a little bit of the Spanish Empire and their journey to conquer civilizations like the Incan, Mayan, and Aztec empire. I didn't now about the whole silver inflation and why it was detrimental to the Spanish empire. I don't quite understand it because I don't really understand inflation and the dangers of it, but I hope that I will be able to research more in depth things about this subject.

Natalie Borowski said...

Interesting video discussing the relationship between America, Europe, and Asia. This video really makes me understand the Spanish Empire and how silver played an important role in the economy.

Romanda Santana said...

Shows just how connected the world is. This is a good intro to the complex global economy we have today. The video made me think about trade's significant role in the success or detriment of a nation.

Dayde Moreno said...

This video is very insightful with regards to the role of silver and the impact it had. Trade by all means had a great impact and lead to creating great connections around the world especially with the Spanish Empire.

Unknown said...

This crash course video was very helpful in understanding that trade had a great influence on the Spanish Empire.

Jason Madrid - ISS1120MDCKENDALL said...

The contributions the Aztecs have made to modern society still boggle my mind!