Prepare: Read

Benjamin, Thomas. The Atlantic World: Europeans, Africans, Indians and Their Shared History, 1400-1900. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2009.

• Introduction to Part II: Europe Supported by Africa and America
• Chapter 5: Incursions: The French, English and Dutch Invasions of the Iberian Atlantic
• Chapter 6: Engagement: The Entangled Worlds of Indians and Europeans
• Chapter 9: Partners: Women and Men in the Making of the Atlantic World

Fassnacht, Max, Stephanie Fink, Robert Jackson, and Michelle Warn. “The Anatomy of a Discussion Board (Links to an external site.).” Accessed February 15, 2016. https://sites.google.com/site/anatomyofadiscussionboard/home.

Fassnacht, Max, Stephanie Fink, Robert Jackson, and Michelle Warn. “Critical Thinking: A Guide to Skillful Reasoning (Links to an external site.).” Accessed August 15, 2016. http://www.criticalthinkingandreasoning.org/evaluating-critical-thinking.

Reflect: The introduction to Part Two of the text suggests the importance of thinking about relationships between Europe, Africa, and the Americas in terms of webs of interconnectivity. While these connections involved power dynamics that frequently were unequal, recognizing the significance of different individuals, cultural groups, and societies that came into contact whether by accident, force, or choice is key to understanding the complexities of the Atlantic World. This world became increasingly complicated by the sustained involvement of the French, English, and Dutch over the course of the seventeenth century. Consult “Critical Thinking: A Guide to Skillful Reasoning (Links to an external site.)” as you formulate your response. 

Write: In an initial post of at least 250-300 words, explain how the Iberian Atlantic World was transformed by the entrance of the French, English, or Dutch, explaining how African or indigenous American interests and actions affected the changes you identify over the course of the seventeenth century. Cite specific examples from the required and recommended readings and consider the following points as you compose your response:

• What factors motivated or allowed for incursions into the Iberian realms by the French, English, or Dutch?
• How did the French, English, or Dutch manage to break the Spanish and Portuguese monopoly over trade in Africa or the Americas?
• How did the French, English, or Dutch establish a permanent presence in the Atlantic World?
• How did African or indigenous American interests and actions affect the changes you find most significant in this era of transformation?