Personal Reflection: "The history of European empire building and trade in the early modern period is essentially the history of exploitation in pursuit of wealth and luxury goods." Is this statement a fair assessment of the period?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is •There is an element of truth to the statement in terms of exploitation,as is shown in the treatment of indigenous populations of the Americas;slaves;the populations of the Philippines and the Dutch-controlled Spice Islands;and,to a certain degree,fur-trapping peoples.
•There is an element of truth in the charge of the pursuit of wealth because the pursuit of bullion did define many imperial policies of European powers and also motivated many individual merchants.
•There is also an element of truth in the focus on luxury goods because they were the primary products of long-distance trade.
•A good answer should also recognize that,however unintended,European empire building and trade did result in other,more beneficial outcomes,including the facilitation of the exchange of crops,domesticated animals,and technologies,especially between the peoples of Afro-Eurasia and the Americas.
•The increase in world trade also allowed further commercialization in regions such as China.

Personal Reflection: "The History of European Empire Building and Trade