Globalisation in the Early Modern Period

Academics, politicians, and activists have taken up the study of globalisation in recent years. But the exchange of goods, services, and ideas, the formation of military and political relationships, and the migrations of people that are the hallmarks of the contemporary idea of what defines globalisation is hardly new phenomenon. In fact, the process of globalisation is evident throughout history, particularly in the Early Modern Period. The Early Modern period was a time of discovery, expansion and innovation. Europeans, Asians, Africans, and Americans established lasting contacts through trade, labour, and cultural exchanges. One of the best case studies of this process of historical globalisation is comparative port history in the Early Modern Period. Cátia Antunes reconstructs the interplay of globalizing agents in Amsterdam and Lisbon. These two ports were engaged in local, regional and intercontinental trade, credit, investment and labour networks. Antunes argues that business and diplomacy were key Early Modern activities and vital for a dynamic socio-economic relationship between the two ports. She further contends that merchants, economic agents, representatives and diplomats were the true agents of expansive globalisation in the Early Modern Period. Antunes provides a cogent model for the understanding of this fascinating historical period.