European Maritime Empires Overview (1450-1750)

Dec 18, 2024

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

Causes of European Expansion

Technological Causes

  • Adoption and innovation of maritime technologies.
    • Magnetic compass from China.
    • Astrolabe from Greece and Arab world.
    • Latin sail from Arab merchants.
  • European Innovations
    • Shipbuilding innovations like the Portuguese Caravel.
  • Improved understanding of wind patterns.

Political Causes

  • Growth of state power.
    • Monarchs gained power and centralized control.
    • Expansions driven by inter-regional trade demands.

Economic Causes

  • Mercantilism
    • State-driven economy viewed wealth as finite.
    • Focus on exports to retain wealth.
  • Joint Stock Companies
    • Limited liability businesses funded by investors.
    • Enabled expansion overseas.

Major Players in Maritime Empires

Portugal

  • Led by Prince Henry the Navigator.
  • Focused on African coast and Indian Ocean.
  • Trading post empire strategy.

Spain

  • Sponsored Christopher Columbus.
  • Colonized the Americas and Philippines.

France

  • Explored Canada for fur trade.

England

  • Established colonies like Jamestown.
  • Interested in Indian Ocean trade.

Dutch

  • Dutch VOC led trade in the Indian Ocean.

Effects of Maritime Empires

Columbian Exchange

  • Diseases: Introduction of smallpox, measles, malaria to Americas.
  • Food and Plants: Exchange of crops like maize, potatoes, rice.
  • Animals: Introduction of cattle, horses.

Resistance to European Domination

  • Japan: Tokugawa shogunate resisted Western influence.
  • France: Fronde rebellions against absolutism.
  • Caribbean and Brazil: Maroon societies resisted colonial rule.

African States and Maritime Trading

  • Asante Empire: Rich from trade with Europe.
  • Kingdom of the Congo: Developed diplomatic ties with Portugal.

Changes and Continuities in Networks of Exchange

Indian Ocean Trade

  • Continuation with new European influence.
  • Middle Eastern and Asian merchants remained active.

Atlantic System

  • New trade networks established.
  • Dominated by sugar and silver.

Labor Systems

Continuation

  • Midas System continued by Spanish in America.

Changes

  • Chattel Slavery: Race-based, hereditary.
  • Indentured Servitude: Contract-based labor.
  • Encomienda System: Forced labor for Spanish settlers.
  • Hacienda System: Land-based labor control.

Change in Belief Systems

  • Christianity and Syncretism
    • Blending of Christian and indigenous beliefs.
    • Emergence of new religions like Vodun.

Social Hierarchies

Ethnic and Religious Diversity

  • Expulsion of Jews in Spain and Portugal.
  • Ottoman Empire's acceptance of Jews.

Rise of New Political Elites

  • Casta System in Spanish colonies.
  • Qing Dynasty's ethnic policies.

Struggles of Existing Elites

  • Russian boyars under Peter the Great.

These notes cover the essential topics discussed in the lecture regarding maritime empires from 1450 to 1750, highlighting the causes, main players, effects, and the significant changes or continuities in this historical period.