This seminal work of political history explores the impact of European colonization on the peoples and cultures of India, China, Africa, and the Americas. Written by the French philosopher Abbé Raynal and translated by John Obadiah Justamond, this fifth and final volume of A Philosophical and Political History offers a sweeping overview of the trade relationships, political alliances, and military conflicts that shaped the early modern world. Whether you're a student of history or simply an inquisitive reader, this volume is a must-read. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.