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1494
King Manuel of Portugal Issues Ultimatum to Jews to Convert or Leave Portugal
This ultimatum forced Jews into exile, many whom settled in Amsterdam. One of these families were the Ricardos, who later would move to England and be descended by political economist David Ricardo. The Jews eventually ended up becoming higher managers in the Dutch West India Company and taking over the sugar trade in Brazil. -
1498
Vasco de Gama rounds the Cape of New Hope in South Africa to Reach India
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1526
Portuguese Convoy Reaches the Spice Islands, Bringing the First Westerners to that Area of the Globe
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England Allows the East India Company to Sell Tea in the American Colonies
Previously tea would pass through many middlemen, driving up the price in the Americas. However, since the East India Company was now able to sell directly to American consumers, prices went down and as a result the middlemen were angry that the had no more revenue streams and planned the Boston Tea Party. -
Corn Laws Established in England
This was the first agricultural subsidy enacted in England in order to help grain growers while artificially keeping the price of grains up. This in turn helped the land aristocracy but hurt poorer everyday people in England. -
Corn Laws Repealed in England
After many years of advocacy initially started by Richard Compton the Corn Laws in England were repealed