Final answer:
The rise of capitalism in Europe was spurred by the influx of precious metals from the Americas and Asia's luxury goods, which were sold in Atlantic markets. Mercantilism guided European nations to amass wealth by maximizing precious metals and controlling trade; this led to aggressive colonization for resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rise of capitalism in Europe was significantly influenced by the vast influx of silver and gold from colonies in the Americas. This wealth was used to trade with Asia for luxury goods such as silk, spices, and porcelain, which were then sold in Atlantic markets. The accumulation of precious metals in Europe led to an increase in prices, effectually stirring the growth of capitalism, where trade and industry are controlled by private owners rather than by the state.
While Spain's economy initially boomed due to the export of precious metals to Europe, other nations like England sought their own sources of wealth, often through privateering or piracy. For example, Sir Francis Drake's looting of Spanish ships enriched England and disrupted Spain's monopoly. Furthermore, the global trade networks that were established not only fueled the European economies but also shifted the economic centers from the Mediterranean to places like Antwerp and Amsterdam, contributing to the Dutch Golden Age.