Commerce, Capital, Consumption

Seventeenth-century troubles spared no form of commerce, though intercontinental trade was least afflicted and for the shortest time. Already in the 1640s Asian routes began to recover, Atlantic a decade later. By about 1700 revival was general, including within Europe. Established products were central to renascent trade. Many, however, now came from new areas: the Caribbean replaced Brazil as premier sugar supplier, while Brazil became the world’s preeminent source of gold; Scotland, Ireland, and Silesia turned into important linens exporters. Novel items (such as potatoes, maize, tomatoes, and cotton textiles) were introduced or metamorphosed from curiosity to commonplace.