Neil MacGregor uses objects from around the world to chart Europe's expanding maritime trade and empires that created the first global economy between 1450 and 1600.
- Programmes:
- on BBC iPlayer (5)
- Previous programmes:
- by year (5)
- Today's object
- Suffragette-defaced penny
- BBC Radio 4
- Programmes
- A History of the World in 100 Objects
- The First Global Economy (1450 - 1600 AD)
The First Global Economy (1450 - 1600 AD)
Available now on BBC iPlayer
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Listen to the latest programme
Pieces of eight
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Fri, 24 Sep 2010.
5/5. Neil MacGregor with the first truly global money - silver pieces of eight.
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Also available
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Kakiemon elephants
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Thu, 23 Sep 2010.
4/5. Neil MacGregor with porcelain white elephants from Japan.
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Double-headed serpent
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Wed, 22 Sep 2010.
3/5. Neil MacGregor with one of the stars of the British Museum - an Aztec serpent.
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Benin plaque - the Oba with Europeans
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Tue, 21 Sep 2010.
2/5. Neil MacGregor with some of the best examples of African art, the great plaques of Benin.
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The mechanical galleon
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Mon, 20 Sep 2010.
1/5. Neil Macgregor with a clockwork galleon designed for a grand dinner table.
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Featured
Where these objects were found
76 The mechanical galleon
77 Benin plaque: the oba with Europeans
78 Double-headed serpent
79 Kakiemon elephants
80 Pieces of eight
The First Global Economy AD (1450–1600)
Europe’s expanding maritime empire created the world’s first global economy. Spanish pieces of eight were used as currency from the new world of the Americas to Japan. The Dutch East India Company was a multinational conglomeration transporting goods from the Far East to a European market. Different cultures were brought into contract for the first time with varying results. When Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico it led to the destruction of the Aztec Empire. In contrast, the relationship between the Portuguese and the kingdom of Benin was mutually beneficial, with Portuguese sailors providing much-desired brass in exchange for ivory and palm oil.
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