Exercises on the History of Commerce

In the years following the Discovery of Brazil, the Portuguese who came here to explore the natural resources of the coast, such as the pau-brasil explorer Fernando de Noronha, established a form of trade agreement quite simple with the indigenous people, who provided their work force in exchange for small goods. This form of agreement was called:

a) physiologism

b) physiocracy

c) mercantilism

d) duel

e) barter

(FGV/RJ) The definition of mercantilism is a complicated task. However, as historian Fernand Braudel states, “even if it is not good, this label comfortably regroups a series of acts and attitudes, projects, ideas, experiences that mark, between the 15th and 18th centuries, the first affirmation of the Modern State in relation to the concrete problems it had to face”. (Fernand Braudel. Civilisation, économie et capitalisme, XVe-XVIII e siècle. Les jeux de l'échange. Paris:Armand Colin, 1979.)

About mercantilism, consider the following statements:

I. From the 16th century onwards, the Modern States of England, Holland and France organized true national commercial policies with the creation of privileged companies, based on the idea that commerce was the most important activity, because it circulated the precious metal, measure and condition. of all power;

II. Mercantilism was the set of economic actions (customs rights and taxes) used to guarantee the growing financial needs of the Army, the Administration and the Court, indispensable instruments for the consolidation and expansion of the Modern State;

III. The incentive to export valuable manufactured products (luxury objects, fashion, perfumes, porcelain, etc.) and the high customs tariffs applied to imported products had the exclusive objective of a protectionist policy of industrial development through a favorable trade balance;

IV. For the rulers who implemented mercantilist actions, the reserve of metals accumulated by the States was the main indicator of their economic power.

Check:

a) if only statement I is correct;

b) if only statements I and II are correct;

c) if only statements II and III are correct;

d) if only statements I, II and IV are correct;

e) if all statements are correct.

Read the text and then mark the correct alternative:

“Before a man helps his fellow man to cut down a tree, such cooperation must be imagined. Before carrying out an act of barter, the idea of ​​mutual exchange of goods and services must be conceived. It is not necessary for individuals to be aware of the fact that this reciprocity results in the establishment of social bonds and the formation of a social system. The individual does not plan and execute actions for the purpose of building a society. It is his conduct and the corresponding conduct of others that generate social bodies.” (MISES, Ludwig. Human Action . São Paulo:Instituto Ludwig von Mises Brazil, 2010. p. 233).

In the excerpt above, economist L. Von Mises highlights the importance of human associations within the socioeconomic organism. According to this view, it is correct to say that:

a) commerce need not take into account human action and its consequences.

b) it is not the free action of men that sets the rules for economic activity, but the State.

c) cooperation between men is not important for economic growth.

d) the free cooperation and action of men in society is the basis for the construction of society.

e) capitalism corrupts man, who, in turn, must fight to destroy him.

At the end of the Middle Ages, in the seas of northern Europe and in the Baltic region, a large trade monopoly association was established, which became known as:

a) Hanseatic league

b) craft corporations

c) Venetian guilds

d) Flemish associations

e) Amsterdam League

Letter E

Barter is perhaps the oldest known form of trade agreement. In it, there is no mediation of currency as a standard of value, as the exchange is direct between what both parties to the agreement have to offer, respectively.

Letter E

Mercantilism was the first transatlantic commercial system and was developed in early modernity, lasting until the 18th century. The use of precious metals, gold and silver, as a currency of exchange, as well as the interventions of national states in economic activity, both those carried out in Europe and that practiced in the colonies, are among the main characteristics of this system.

Letter D

Mises developed a science called Praxeology (which comes from the Greek “praxis”, action), which deals exactly with human action, intentions, aspirations, desires and attribution of value that human beings place on things. and relationships with each other. For Mises, free action and cooperation are the foundation of trade and the economy in general.

Letter A

The Hanseatic League began around the 13th century and continued into modernity. It played an important role in controlling the trade practiced in northern Europe, especially in the flow of goods that arrived at the ports of northern cities.