AP World History Unit 4: Maritime Empires (1450-1750)
Causes of European Expansion
Technological Causes
Adoption of Maritime Technologies: Europeans adopted tools like the magnetic compass (China), astrolabe (Greece/Arab world), and Latin sail (Arab merchants).
Innovation in Shipbuilding: Development of ships like the Portuguese Caravelle, which were smaller, faster, and equipped with cannons.
Understanding of Wind Patterns: Improved knowledge of regional winds in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Political Causes
Growth of State Power: Centralization of power in monarchs, reducing the influence of the nobility.
Monarchs and Trade: Monarchs played a significant role in economic decisions, particularly in inter-regional trade.
Economic Causes
Mercantilism: State-driven economy focusing on maintaining a favorable balance of trade by exporting more than importing.
Joint Stock Companies: Limited liability businesses funded by investors, e.g., Dutch East India Company (VOC) with monopoly on Indian Ocean trade.
Major Players in Maritime Empires
Portugal
Prince Henry the Navigator: Led efforts in maritime exploration.
Trading Post Empire: Set up trading posts (factories) along African coast and Indian Ocean.
Spain
Christopher Columbus: Sponsored to find western route to Asia; discovered Americas.
Colonial Expansion: Full colonial rule in the Philippines, tribute collection, and coerced labor.
France
North American Expeditions: Established presence in Canada, fur trade.
England
Colonization: Established colonies in North America (e.g., Jamestown).
Indian Ocean Interests: Trading posts along Indian coast.
Netherlands
Dutch VOC: Dominated Indian Ocean trade, spice trade monopoly.
Columbian Exchange
Diseases
Introduction of diseases like smallpox, measles, and malaria to the Americas.
Food and Plants
To Americas: Wheat, olives, grapes, rice, bananas, sugar.
To Old World: Maize, potatoes, leading to population growth.
Animals
Introduction of pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses to the Americas.
Resistance to European Expansion
Asian Resistance
Tokugawa Japan: Suppressed Christianity, limited European trade.
Local Resistance
The Fronde in France: Rebellion against absolutism and increased taxation.
Enslaved Resistance
Maroon Societies: Runaway slave communities in the Caribbean and Brazil.
African States and Maritime Trade
Asante Empire
Rich from trading gold, ivory, and enslaved people.
Kingdom of the Kongo
Diplomatic ties with Portugal, traded gold, copper, enslaved people.
Changes in Networks of Exchange
Indian Ocean Network
Continuity: Continued use by Asian merchants despite European power.
Change: Increased European presence; not full European control.
Atlantic Trade
Completely New: Opening of Atlantic system, movement of goods, wealth, and laborers.
Labor Systems
In the Americas
Midas System: Adapted by Spanish for silver mining.
Chattel Slavery: Total ownership, race-based.
Indentured Servitude: Contracted labor for passage to Americas.
Encomienda & Hacienda Systems: Indigenous labor for Spanish settlers.
Religious and Social Changes
Christianity in the Americas
Catholic missionaries spread Christianity, leading to religious syncretism.
Social Hierarchies
Casta System: Spanish colonial hierarchy based on race.