The Millennium Maritime Trade Revolution, 700-1700: How Asia Lost Maritime Supremacy

This book explores how maritime trade has been the key driver of the world's wealth-creation, economic, and intellectual progress, beginning with the collapse of the Roman Empire and continuing through the Dark Ages and the rise of European maritime trade. In Asia, short and long-haul trade thrived, while in Europe, Mediterranean maritime trade made most progress until the 15th century. By 1700, north Europeans dominated Atlantic, American, and Mediterranean trade and were penetrating sophisticated Asian maritime networks, leading to the millennium maritime trade revolution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

This captivating sequel to the groundbreaking work "How Maritime Trade and the Indian Subcontinent Shaped the World" delves deeper into the profound impact of maritime trade on the global landscape. Building upon the insights presented in the first book, this sequel showcases the unwavering role that maritime trade has played in propelling the world towards wealth, economic growth, and intellectual advancement.

The narrative picks up where the previous book left off, following the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 7th century. This period marked a significant decline in European maritime trade, leading to a collapse in population, poverty, and the onset of the Dark Ages. However, a hesitant recovery began to take shape in the 700s, with the establishment of new ports. Nevertheless, the resurgence of Viking and Muslim maritime raiding hindered this recovery until the 11th century.

In contrast, Asia experienced a thriving and accelerated maritime trade, spanning from east Africa and the Persian Gulf to China. This trade not only fostered the formation of Southeast Asian states but also contributed to the development of innovative and tolerant maritime societies.

The book intricately weaves the story of the gradual rise and subsequent acceleration of European maritime trade, which, until the 15th century, was overshadowed by the far more voluminous Asian trade conducted in larger and more complex ships by more sophisticated commercial entities. This trade played a crucial role in shaping wealth-creating maritime societies.

In Europe, the Mediterranean region witnessed the most significant progress in maritime trade between 1000 and 1450. However, by 1700, North Europeans had established dominance in the Atlantic, American, and Mediterranean trade, and were even penetrating sophisticated Asian maritime networks. This marked a complete reversal of the maritime supremacy that Asia had enjoyed for centuries.

The book explores the underlying mechanisms and factors that led to the decline of Asian maritime supremacy. It identifies similar patterns observed in the first book, such as maritime inquisitiveness, invention, problem-solving, and toleration. However, continental political suppression of these maritime traits, particularly in China, played a destructive role in undermining Asia's maritime dominance.

As in the first book, author Nick Collins highlights the destructive impact of continental influences on maritime trade. He emphasizes the suppression of maritime traits, which not only hindered the progress of Asian maritime societies but also contributed to the global dominance of European powers.

This sequel to "How Maritime Trade and the Indian Subcontinent Shaped the World" serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate relationship between maritime trade, global power dynamics, and historical development. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the past, shedding light on the mechanisms that have shaped the world as we know it today.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399060127