Early Modern Era
The world in 1588 AD
10 powers on the map
European sails cross the oceans. The first capitalist world-system is born: Silver from Potosí, spices from the Moluccas, African slaves on American plantations. Demographic devastation of indigenous American populations (90% drop in a century). Protestant Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment.
Battles this year
Empires and states
Active trade routes
- Hanseatic League — Northern European merchant network
- Cape Route — Europe–Asia around the Cape of Good Hope
- Manila Galleon — American silver exchanged for Chinese silk