Indian Ocean Trade Dbq

Indian Ocean trade in the 11th century to the 15th century was crowded by muslim merchants and surrounding countries like Africa and Asia. It was there where they would trade items such as woods, spices, precious gems, and much more. The Indian Ocean trade was known for its very predictable monsoons which allowed traders to travel much faster. The ocean is home to many islands as well as coasts of Africa and Asia. The trade was very peaceful and organized until the dominant Portugal attempted to take the lead in the trading system. In the 16th century the Portuguese transformed maritime trade in the Indian Ocean to a large extent because of how much they changed the practices in the trade. First the Portuguese came to start war and push out

The Portuguese caused change to a large extent by inflicting war in the Indian Ocean to push muslims and turks out. The Portuguese raise suspicion on themselves by a rumor of them attacking the Hindu ruler and muslim merchants. The trading post the Hindu ruler of calicut gave to the Portuguese is planned to be used as a fort to attack them when they aren’t ready (Doc. 1). If the Portuguese do plan to attack them it shows a large amount of change because the trade will go from peaceful and organized to violent and disorganized. This would also push the hindu leader and the muslim merchants out if the planned attack was successful. The advice given to the Hindu ruler concerning the arrival of the Portuguese made the muslim merchants desperately warn the ruler of a possible attack from the Portuguese people. The Portuguese king made himself the master at their fort in Calicut and attempted to push out the muslims. After the Portuguese king ruled Calicut and attacked the muslims it weakened them too much and they were pushed out leaving very few of them (Doc. 2). Portugal had strengthened their fort which had helped them stop muslim traders from reaching India. Since

The Portuguese controlled trade by enforcing tolls and taking over ships that didn’t pay the toll. In ship passes owned by Portugal they imposed a toll to improve the trade and obtain more money, however when the toll was not paid they would rob and capture people on the ship (Doc. 5). Before the Portuguese took over there were never any tolls that profited the portuguese. Thus shows a large extent of change because tolls were now being enforced. The muslim scholar addresses to the Southern Indian Muslims what trade is like after the Portuguese took over. The Portuguese started paying low prices after they took over the trade. In a contract made by the Portuguese with the king of Cochin they decide to pay very low prices for pepper while also receiving filthy pepper (Doc. 6). Before Portugal entered the trade people would pay normal prices for spices like paper. If the Portuguese did not take over the trade people also wouldn’t be selling filthy pepper because they wouldn’t be mad. The Portuguese controlled the trade by deciding what items came in and out. More precious items came into the trade after Portugal took over like antique boxes made of expensive wood (Doc. 7). Many items were traded like ivory, timber, books, and grain were traded after the portugal took control. The Portuguese changed the trade to a large extent by bringing newer trade items. Before they took over the main thing to