A history of free trade or general trade would include the earliest concepts of exchange and barter of products and services.
The concept of free trade developed over time, and in its modern sense, from the commercial culture of England, and more broadly Europe, in the past five centuries. The earliest free trade theorists were David Ricardo and Adam Smith.
Free trade policies have battled with mercantilist, protectionist, isolationist, communist, and other policies over the centuries. Wars, such as the Opium Wars, have been fought primarily over trade.
Nations which have adopted free trade policies have generally profited more than isolationist nations, though wars or spending policies, partly affected by liberalized markets associated with free trade, have obscured the gains.
See also:
China trade; East India trade ; West India trade ; slave trade; triangle trade; Silk road
