The Silver that Transformed China: How Trade with Spain Made China the Most Powerful Empire

📈China's emperor's decision to tax his people in silver sparked a huge demand for silver, making it more valuable than gold.

💰China's silver trade allowed its emperors to become the most powerful men on Earth.

🔧China's silver trade funded America's industrial revolution and propelled its growth.

🌍China's silver trade transformed world cities and led to the growth of global trade networks.

🛡️China's obsession with silver ultimately led to conflicts with Western powers and a period of humiliation for China.

Why did China tax its people in silver?

—China's emperor wanted to meet the tax demands of the Chinese emperor, who decided that his people must now pay their tax in silver.

How did China's silver trade impact the world?

—China's silver trade funded America's industrial revolution, transformed world cities, and created a global trade network.

What were the consequences of China's silver obsession?

—China's silver obsession led to conflicts with Western powers and a period of humiliation for China known as the 'Century of Humiliation.'

How did China's silver trade contribute to its power?

—China's silver trade allowed its emperors to become the most powerful men on Earth and funded the growth of the empire.

What were the long-term effects of China's silver trade?

—China's silver trade had both positive and negative effects, leading to economic growth, cultural exchange, but also conflicts and challenges for China's sovereignty.

00:00Foreign settlement high in the Andes mountain range of South America.

00:14China's emperor decides to tax his people in silver, sparking a huge demand for silver.

00:52China's silver becomes more valuable than gold due to high demand.

01:04China's emperors become the most powerful men on Earth due to the silver trade.

01:31America's industrial revolution is funded by China's silver trade.

02:00China's silver trade transforms world cities and creates a global trade network.

02:23China enters the 'Century of Humiliation' due to conflicts with Western powers.

02:54China's silver obsession leads to challenges and an impact on its sovereignty.