English-Speaking World and European Culture Joint Program:

How the Spice Trade Changed the World

Program: In the 1400s, spices from “the Indies” (mainly India and southeast Asia) were hugely expensive and were sold by middle eastern traders to England and the European countries. These nations eventually wanted to get to “the Indies” themselves. This triggered the great voyages of exploration of the late 1400s – the Portuguese found the route around Africa. Columbus, sailing in the other direction, discovered North America. Wars were fought over the islands where spices grew, with some very interesting historical consequences.

Presenter: Nathan Villa, retail operations manager, The Spice House, Chicago. He will bring samples!

NOTE: REFRESHMENTS WELCOME. 10:30 AM social time, 11 AM Program