Which interpretation of early modern maritime expansion is best supported by Morga's description?
Antonio de Morga on commerce through Manila, 1609
Spanish colonial official Antonio de Morga described ships arriving at Manila from China with merchants carrying silk, cotton cloth, porcelain, metal goods, and other merchandise. He also noted that merchants in Mexico and Peru sent large quantities of silver to the Philippines to purchase Asian goods, and that authorities attempted to regulate both the trade and the amount of silver sent across the Pacific.
Adapted from Antonio de Morga, <em>Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas</em>, published in Mexico City, 1609.
Which interpretation of early modern maritime expansion is best supported by Morga's description?
Press A–D to choose an answer and Enter to check it.
Answer and explanation
Answer: D: European empires connected American resources to established Asian commercial networks in which Asian merchants remained important
Morga shows Chinese merchants bringing silk, porcelain, and other goods to Manila, while American silver paid for them. European empires thus tied American resources into established Asian networks in which Asian merchants stayed important, so D is correct. Choice A is tempting because silver flowed freely, but Morga notes that authorities regulated it. Choice B claims Europeans displaced Asian merchants, yet the source shows Chinese merchants at the center. Choice C separates the Pacific trade from the Americas, though the silver came from Spanish American production.
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