Heimlich's History - Lecture Notes: AP World History Unit 4 Review

Introduction to Unit 4

• Focus: Trans-oceanic interconnections (1450-1750)
• Part of a larger AP World History review packet with:
  • Reviews for all units
  • Practice multiple-choice questions
  • Essential curriculum questions
  • AP style practice tests

Development and Expansion of Sea-Based Empires

European Maritime Empires

• Europe became a leading imperial power
• Technological advancements in maritime technology were key:
  • New Ship Designs: Flute, Caravelle, Carrick
    • Smaller, faster, cheaper, nimble
    • Mainly for trade, not convertible to warships
  • Latin Sails: Triangular sails for better wind harnessing

Navigational Advances

• Astronomical Charts, Astrolabe, Magnetic Compass
• Allowed for longer voyages and better navigation
• Motivated by need for sea routes to Asia due to Muslim control of land routes

Discovery of the Americas

Columbian Exchange

• Biological exchange between Eastern and Western hemispheres:
  • Diseases: Smallpox (devastating for Native populations), Syphilis
  • Foods and Animals:
    • Europe to Americas: Sugar, Horses
    • Americas to Europe: Potatoes, Maize, Guinea Pigs
• Exchange of people: Start of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Labor Systems in the Americas

European Coerced Labor Systems

• Encomienda System: Spaniards protect natives for labor
• Hacienda System: Large plantations for Spanish landowners
• Mita System: Coerced labor adapted from Incas for private gain
• Indentured Servitude: Temporary work contracts, leading to freedom

Atlantic Slave Trade

• Shift to African chattel slavery
• Africans were less susceptible to European diseases

Economic Changes: Mercantilism

Mercantilist Economy

• Fixed wealth concept: Wealth measured by gold and silver
• Led to intense inter-European rivalries

Colonization and Trade

• Colonies served to provide raw materials for exports:
  • Portuguese Trading Post Empire: Along African coast, Brazil colony
  • Other European Powers: French, British, Dutch, Spanish colonies

Joint-Stock Companies

• British and Dutch innovation
• Funded exploration via private investors sharing risks and rewards

Social Changes

Casta System in the Americas

• New social hierarchies based on race and ancestry
• Hierarchy: Peninsulares, Creoles, Castas (mixed ancestries), Indigenous, Africans

Conclusion

• Quick overview of Unit 4 material
• For detailed study, refer to specific topic videos
• Aim: Achieve an A in class and a 5 on the AP exam

Additional Resources

• Playlist for detailed topic videos for Unit 4
• Subscribe for more educational content from Heimlich's History