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The silver trade between the Americas and Europe and onward to China from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries (1500–1800) had a profound effect on the world economy. Spaniards traveling west had only gold on their minds, but they found silver instead. From 1500 to 1800 Mexico and Peru produced about 85% of the world's silver with 30% of it eventually ending up in China. While this silver came from Central and South America, it belonged to Europeans exclusively. The Spanish acquired the silver, using it as a means of purchase which landed it mainly in the hands of the British, who then used it to purchase the exotic commodities of China. The silver trade marked the era of commercial capitalism and became the bridge between late medieval and modern times. Despite their best efforts, by 1759, and because of the changing Atlantic trade highway(seaway), Spain could no longer compete successfully with England and France in the international economy. Between a medieval management style and the expanding global economy, mostly through England's commercial and industrializing economy that was in a phase of rapid expansion and competition on a global scale, Spain found its empire in various stages of demise and most of the silver that came out of the Americas went to Europe via trade. This was a time when China was considered novel and exotic and everyone clambered for anything Chinese, be it porcelain or silks and spices. During this period the Spanish-Mexican peso became the standard coin throughout much of the world. The Chinese market for coins set the standard globally. ==First paper money== The world's first paper money was invented by the Chinese and they needed some commodity to back it. Paper was easier to transport and this was what necessitated its invention. By the nature of their geography, China had no real amount of precious metals of their own to back the paper money they invented. Because the Spaniards didn't find gold but did find copious amounts of silver, the Spaniards and the rest of Europe used this silver to purchase the commodities of choice from China, solving both of their problems. The silver trade brought the world together in a way it never had been unified to date. Even the Silk Road could not match its impact. The desire for luxury goods like silver and silk was the motivation for the expense of a trip so one could recoup the investment. And while they shipped these luxury items, they then could also trade for other things like potatoes, corn, chili peppers, peanuts and other exotic commodities that were exclusively South American goods influencing European and Asian cuisine. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Global silver trade from the 16th to 18th centuries」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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