History: European East India Companies

This is an online lecture style course. If you are interested in history, this course may interest you. The course includes how as a result of rivalry to capture the trade between Europe and the sources of spices and teas, various governments licensed chartered companies not only to trade but to exercise a range of governmental functions in the territories which came under their control. You will be able to ask questions and provide feedback if you so wish. You will also learn about the wealth and spread of the “source” countries; the rivalry of the various companies involved; and the Companies’ Legacy; to understand the importance of the tea and spice trade for the economy of Europe; and the importance of the trading companies in the Great Power rivalries in the 17th and 18th centuries; to articulate the links between the United Kingdom and the areas controlled by the Companies; and understand the reasons for the rise and decline of trading companies originating in virtually every European state in the 18th century. After the course you may wish to study independently or enrol on a further WEA course.