Quote:
Originally Posted by Retroit
It's a matter of degree. A few schooners carrying small loads of tea and spices from Asia to England a few times a year in the 1700's versus a continuous flow of container ships bringing a half trillion dollars worth of goods to the US every year.
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I learned a word called presentism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Present...rical_analysis) a while back, it means viewing the past from the perspective of the present. When we do this, it is very easy to make very incorrect but well intended conclusions about the past.
The trade of the U.S. (colonial or post colonial) with the world, should be evaluated in contrast to trade which existed at the time. Comparing modern container ships to very old sail ships may cause a misunderstanding of the importance of trade to our country.