For each step below, read the prompts carefully and answer the questions in complete sentences. When you are finished, save your work and download a PDF to submit.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The "Save Final Work" button saves your answers in your browser. It does not turn anything in automatically. After clicking it, you must download the PDF and print the file to bring to class.
Tip: Aim for specific, detailed answers that demonstrate your understanding of the commodity's historical significance.
STEP 1: Understanding the Big Question
Central Historical Question: How did this raw material become a global commodity, and what does that process reveal about capitalism, empire, and globalization?
Define each term briefly as it relates to commodities and trade.
STEP 2: Defining the Commodity & Its Early History
Describe what it is, how it's produced, and why it mattered historically.
Pre-Imperial Context: Before large-scale imperial involvement, how was this commodity produced and traded?