Chapter 14 - Economic Transformations Commerce and Consequence

This reading made me wonder whether would it be different in today's century if these events did not happen. In what different ways did global commerce transform human societies and the lives of individuals during the modern era be like? During voyage (1497-1499), Portuguese mariner Vasco da Gama, European sailed to India for the first time. Portuguese learned fast. They learned that most Indian Ocean merchant ships did not have secruities. Early in the 15th century, there was no major power in position to dominate the sea lanes, and the many smaller-scale merchants generally traded openly. Portuguese took this opportunity and for their ships could outgun and outmaneuver competing naval forces, while their onboard cannons could devastate coastal barricade. The Portuguese created the Indian Ocean what is known as a "trading post empire" so they can aim to control commerce not territories. Even thought Portuguese were smart they did not have their merchants sell because they had the traditional Red Sea route to the Mediterranean blocked. Portuguese soon became to be involved in carrying Asian goods to Asian ports, selling their shipping services due to the fact that they were unable to sell their goods. By 1600s, Portuguese trading went down hill. Everything was too late and the trading post empire was in trouble. Soon, the Spanish came and helped Portuguese. During the time, both British and Dutch trading companies changed the societies they encountered in Asia. In the early 17th century, British and Dutch entered the Indian Ocean. Soon enough they both took over Portuguese and things start to go smooth afterwards. I wonder what it would be like if there was no wars. Would there still be a treaty? Now a days there are still wars going on around the world. Without wars life would be boring and there would not be anything to fight for.