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

Causes of European Expansion

• Technological Causes

  • Adoption of maritime technologies from the Greek, Islamic, and Asian worlds:
    • Magnetic compass (China)
    • Astrolabe (Ancient Greece & Arab World)
    • Lateen sail (Arab Traders)
  • European innovations:
    • Shipbuilding: Example - Portuguese Caravel
  • Improved understanding of regional wind patterns.

• Political Causes

  • Growth of state power and centralization of monarchs.
  • Monarchs took important roles in economic decisions, e.g., inter-regional trade.
  • Demand for spices and luxury goods from Asia.

• Economic Causes

  • Mercantilism: State-driven economic system focused on a favorable trade balance.
  • Corporations: Limited liability companies backed by states. Example: Dutch East India Company (VOC).

The Main Players

• Portugal

  • Led by Prince Henry the Navigator.
  • Established a trading post empire along the African coast and the Indian Ocean.

• Spain

  • Sponsored Christopher Columbus for westward route discoveries.
  • Focused on full colonization in the Americas and the Philippines.

• France

  • Focused on discovering North Atlantic trade routes.
  • Established presence in Canada and engaged in the fur trade.

• England

  • Sponsored westward exploration under Queen Elizabeth I.
  • Established colonies like Jamestown, Virginia.

• The Dutch

  • Gained independence from Spain.
  • Dominated Indian Ocean trade with the VOC.

Consequences of Maritime Empire Building

• Columbian Exchange

  • Transfer of diseases, foods, plants, and animals between hemispheres.
  • Diseases: Smallpox, measles, and malaria devastated native populations.
  • Foods: Wheat, olives, maize, potatoes, etc.
  • Animals: Introduction of pigs, sheep, and horses.

• Resistance to European Expansion

  • Asia: Tokugawa Japan resisted Western influence, especially Christianity.
  • Europe: The Fronde rebellion in France against absolutism.
  • Americas: Maroon communities of escaped slaves in the Caribbean and Brazil resisted colonial powers.

Participation of African States

• The Asante Empire

  • Participated in trade by supplying gold, ivory, and slaves.

• Kingdom of Kongo

  • Developed relationships with the Portuguese, trading gold, copper, and slaves.

Networks of Exchange

• Indian Ocean Network

  • Continuity maintained by non-European traders despite European entry.
  • Long-established traders like the Gujaratis flourished.

• Atlantic System

  • Introduction of new trade routes and exchange systems.
  • Goods: Sugar, silver.
  • Labor: Chattel slavery, indentured servitude.

Changes in Labor Systems

• Americas
  • Continuation and adaptation of existing systems like the Mita system.
  • New labor systems: Chattel slavery, indentured servitude, encomienda, and hacienda.

Religious and Cultural Changes

• Christianity in the Americas
  • Conversion efforts by Catholic missionaries.
  • Emergence of syncretic religions like Vodun.

Changing Social Hierarchies

• Responses to Ethnic and Religious Diversity

  • Exclusion of Jews from Spain and Portugal.
  • Ottoman Empire's tolerance towards Jews.

• Rise of New Political Elites and Social Orders

  • Casta system in Spanish colonies.
  • Transition from Ming to Qing Dynasty in China.

• Challenges of Existing Elites

  • Reduction in power of traditional elites, e.g., Russian boyars under Peter the Great.

These notes cover the key points and themes of Unit 4, focusing on maritime empires and their impacts. Use these as a guide to gain a broader understanding of developments during this period.