History 308
The Utrecht System
September 6, 2006
I. The Western Hemisphere and the 18th Century World
1. The European World in 1763 (international instability: the rise
and fall of the Hapsburgs, Dutch; realpolitik in eastern and central
Europe; the emergence of England and France; differing approaches to
political economy—France and feudal system, emphasis on land power;
England and overseas commerce; differing approaches to government:
France and mixed system—three estates, unequal power; the British
experiment—17th century civil wars, Glorious Revolution,
constitutional monarchy and “mixed government”; Spain and
bureaucratic monarchy)
2. North America (strategic rivalries—Britain, France, and
contrasting approaches to empire; Britain and
mercantilism—Navigation Acts; Britain and salutary neglect,
colonization for commerce and ideals; France and geopolitical
goals—Louis XIV; 18th century wars and Western Hemisphere; lack of
direct involvement by governing powers; role of Indian nations and
North American diplomacy; significance of Iroquois, Creek; was there
a North American international system?)
3. South and Central America (precolonial empires—Aztecs, Incas, and
native imperialism; the colonial thrust—Spain, Portugal, and Treaty
of Tortesillas; Hispanic America—mineral extraction and power of
Spanish state, Spanish labor system, racial divisions; decline of
Spanish power—mercantilist state, top-heavy bureaucracy, slave
labor; 1750: Pombalian and Bourbon reforms)
III. A Hemisphere in Transition: The Utrecht System
1. Strategically (18th century wars and North America–colonies as
bargaining chip: India, East Asia; Seven Years War and changing
balance of power North America; France and decision to retain Haiti;
decline of Indian nations and onset of treaty system; Spain and new
international environment)
2. Economically (war and British economic theory; colonial
transgressions—Honduras, Cuba, Caribbean trade—Boston, Baltimore;
revival of mercantilism; asiento and its effects)
3. Ideologically (significance of Enlightenment; common sense of
“Americanism”; interconnected nature of commerce and ideology—Adam
Smith; similarities and differences among American colonies)
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