The First Global Currency: How Spanish Silver Fueled the Chinese Economy

Описание: Before the steam engine or the internet, one metal connected three continents and birthed the first true global economy. This is the untold story of the Silver Route—a shimmering thread linking the brutal mines of Potosí in the Andes to the bustling markets of Ming Dynasty China.

Join us as we travel back to 1571 to witness the "Manila Galleon," the massive ships that carried the fortunes of empires across the Pacific. We’ll explore how a change in Chinese tax law created a global hunger for silver, how Spanish "Pieces of Eight" became the world's first global currency, and the devastating human cost paid by indigenous laborers to fuel this early age of globalization. From the rise of bustling trade hubs to the fall of dynasties, discover how silver reshaped the world map long before the word "globalization" even existed.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and historical storytelling purposes. It references historical accounts of forced labor, slavery, and colonial violence (specifically the Mita system and the opium trade) which may be distressing to some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hashtags: #WorldHistory #SilverTrade #Globalization #ManilaGalleons #Economics #MingDynasty #SpanishEmpire #Potosi #HistoryDocumentary #GlobalEconomy #ColonialHistory #Numismatics