It is the mid-16th century and the beginning of modern-day globalisation with trade networks being forged across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The Spanish, who have discovered vast silver deposits in the Americas, are flush with cash while China is in the midst of a currency shortage. Assailing routes are mapped across the Pacific, Spanish merchant galleons, like the one illustrated here, start shipping and trading exotic goods. These galleons, called Manila and China ships, travel between Acapulco and the Philippines. Most of the goods they pick up, such as silks and porcelain from China, have been brought to Manila by junks. And as the silver dollar spreads across Asian markets, so too does a new wave of prosperity.

Infographic spread page for South China Morning Post about the Spanish “Galeón de Manila” and the “tornaviaje”.

Here you can visit the online version with four chapters.