AP World History: Unit 4 - Maritime Empires (1450 to 1750)

Introduction

• Focus on Maritime Empires and their developments.
• Key areas: causes of European expansion, major players, and effects of maritime empire building.

Causes of European Expansion

Technological Factors

• Adoption and innovation of maritime technologies:
  • Magnetic compass (from China), astrolabe (from Greece and the Arab world), and latine sail (from Arab merchants).
  • European innovations in shipbuilding, like the Portuguese Caravel.
  • Improved understanding of wind patterns.

Political Factors

• Growth of centralized state power at the expense of nobility.
• Monarchs influenced economic decisions and sought trade routes to Asia.

Economic Factors

• Mercantilism:
  • Wealth seen as finite (measured in gold/silver).
  • Goals: Maintain a favorable balance of trade, export more than import.
  • Led to overseas colonization for closed markets.
• Joint Stock Companies:
  • Limited liability businesses funded by private investors.
  • State and merchant interdependence.
  • Example: Dutch East India Company (VOC) with a monopoly on Indian Ocean trade.

Main Players in Maritime Exploration

• Portugal:

  • Led by Prince Henry the Navigator.
  • Set up trading post Empires along Africa and Indian Ocean.

• Spain:

  • Sponsored Columbus to find new routes.
  • Established colonies in Americas, Philippines.

• France:

  • Explored Canada, engaged in fur trade.

• England:

  • Established colonies in Americas.
  • Interest in India.

• Dutch:

  • VOC dominated the spice trade in the Indian Ocean.
  • Established strategic locations.

Effects of Maritime Empire Building

The Columbian Exchange

• Disease Transfer:

  • Introduced smallpox, measles, malaria to Americas.
  • Led to the "Great Dying" among indigenous populations.

• Food and Plants Transfer:

  • Europeans brought wheat, rice, bananas.
  • Americas introduced maize, potatoes to Europe, Africa, Asia.

• Animal Transfer:

  • Horses introduced to Americas, improved agriculture and hunting.

Resistance and Influence

• Asian Resistance:

  • Tokugawa Japan resisted European influence, isolated itself.

• Local Resistance:

  • Fronde in France against increased taxation.
  • Maroon Societies in Caribbean resisted colonial control.

• African Participation:

  • Asante Empire and Kingdom of Kongo thrived by trading with Europeans.

Changes and Continuities in Trade

• Indian Ocean Trade: Continuities

  • Continued use by Middle Eastern, Asian merchants.
  • European participation increased profits.

• Atlantic System: Changes

  • New trade routes and systems established.
  • Sugar and silver dominated the trade.

Labor Systems

• Existing Systems:

  • Mita system adapted by Spanish for mining.

• New Systems:

  • Chattel slavery: race-based, hereditary.
  • Indentured servitude.
  • Encomienda and Hacienda systems.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Religious Changes:

  • Syncretism in Americas, blending Christianity with indigenous and African beliefs.

• Social Hierarchies:

  • Casta system in Spanish colonies.
  • Changes among elites in Russia and China.

Conclusion

• The period saw significant shifts in global power, trade, and cultural exchanges.
• Resources like the AP World Heimler review guide can further aid in understanding and exam preparation.