The history of colonial goods
Oriental colonial goods refer to the goods and products that were exported from Western Asia and Eastern Asia to Europe and other parts of the world during the colonial period. These products were in high demand and helped drive the discovery of trade routes, such as the Spice and Silk Roads, as well as the establishment of European colonies and trading posts in these regions.
The most famous oriental colonial goods include:
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Spices: Pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom and anise were some of the most sought after spices during the colonial period. They were used in both cooking and as medicinal herbs.
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Tea: Plantations in China, India and Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) produced large quantities of tea, which became very popular in Europe and led to the rise of global companies such as the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company.
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Porcelain: Fine Chinese porcelain was highly sought after in Europe during the colonial period, and many European countries subsequently attempted to imitate these works of art with varying degrees of success.
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Textiles: Silk, cotton and other pleasurable textiles were also important export items carried across trade routes to the European market.
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Sugar: In Asia, sugarcane is grown, and sugar was another popular colonial commodity. Sugar cultivation later spread to the West Indies and America.
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Opium: Derived from the opium poppy and used as a medicinal pain reliever and recreational drug, opium was also an important oriental colonial commodity. During the 18th and 19th centuries, trade in opium led to controversies and conflicts, such as the opium wars between Great Britain and China.
The colonial trade in these oriental goods has had long-lasting effects on cultural, political and economic relations between East and West. These contacts between peoples and cultures gave rise to an exciting intersection of influences and helped shape the modern world.
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