American Trade and the Cantabrian Economy, 1550-1650

Regina Grafe 

Between 1550 and 1650 the commercial sector of the Cantabrian coastal region experienced a significant transformation. Trading patterns moved from being closely integrated into a Northern Spanish commercial network with links to the Carrera de Indias, towards forming part of the emerging trade structures between England and the North American colonies. Based on Northern Spanish and British sources, the paper explores the impact of these changes on commercial specialization within the region and on the region's integration into the wider Spanish economy. In addition, the repercussions on the institutions governing trade and the mercantile communities involved are discussed.

[WP # 99022]