Welcome
The proposed Institute for the Indies is a research organization at San Francisco State University dedicated to studying the Age of Fighting Sail, the period when Europe expanded into the world trading system. The period ends when the technology of world trade switches from sail to steam.
The goal of the Institute is to understand the causes that brought about the expansion of world trade, business, and government by the five major Atlantic powers of Europe and gave rise to the major democracies of the world.
International and Interdisciplinary Research
The institution will focus on International and Interdisciplinary Research in Economics and the social and physical sciences to understand this period and the divergence in the growth and development of the various societies around the world. San Francisco State University is a center for investigations into these topics and provides the foundation for research and cooperation.
World Trade
The expansion of scholarly interest in the Age of Fighting Sail (AFG, 1450-1850) is characterized by the expansion of the World Trade discipline in history. The Institute works closely with historians, economic historians, and other related disciplines. In addition, most colonized and colonizing countries are currently examining the period to understand their roles in the story. The Institute will catalog these efforts, and help coordinate research among countries, institutions, and private researchers.
Catalog of original documents
The primary research goal is a catalog of the original documents from the period describing what happened and why. With this data the Institute will suggest major causal activities and analyze the economic effects of these changes. Most nations and organizations with relevant archival material are eager for help and guidance on preserving and presenting the documents detailing this history. The Institute partners with archivists, technology companies and archival institutions to help with this effort.
Economic Modeling
To this end, the Institute will help build a comprehensive economic model of the period, showing the growth in economic activity and the related results in the wealth of the people, businesses, governments, and nations. Complementing this model will be a full picture of the society and culture of the time, showing the interplay between economic activity and daily life. No picture of economic life is complete without a full understanding of the daily activities of the people involved.
Articles, Books, and Documentaries
Bringing this data to the academic community in the form of scholarly articles and books is the Institute’s first goal. The second is to present to a wider audience research results in the form of popular books, magazine articles, documentary films, and web presentations.
The Free China: Revisiting the Chinese Maritime Question
The Free China, a flat-bottomed vessel with two masts and an exceptionally long, angled rudder made its transpacific crossing in 1955. Looking at the characteristics of this and other vessels, the proposed Institute for the Indies
Archives
- Trade
- Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Humanities
OCR and Document Services
Whenever possible, the Institute for the Indies wishes to assist or provide references for assistance in the transcription and digitization of primary sources.
Back to topInternational Cooperation
The very nature of our mission brings us in contact with professionals, amateur historians, technical experts in many parts of the world. Through the Office of International Programs, the Institute invites students to continue dialogue with institutions back home.
Magellan 500
In 2019, the Institute for the Indies will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan's departure from Seville, Spain.
Continuing Development
As we progress, the Institute hopes to provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary study and critical thinking. At the moment, we are planning our long-term organizatioanl needs.
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