Seabased Empires (1450-1750)

Introduction

• Focus: Seabased Empires and their global influence from 1450 to 1750.
• Shift from land-based to seabased global powers primarily in Europe.
• European states gained significant power, shifting global balance.

Key Developments in Maritime Technology

1. Magnetic Compass
   • Origin: China
   • Function: Allowed accurate navigation and direction reckoning on seas.
2. Astrolabe
   • Origin: Possibly Arabs or Greeks
   • Function: Enabled determination of latitude and longitude by measuring stars.
3. Lateen Sail
   • Origin: Arab Merchants
   • Function: Triangular sail allowing sails to catch wind from either side for precise navigation.
4. Astronomical Charts
   • Origin: Muslims (building on Greek astronomy)
   • Function: Detailed star and constellation diagrams aiding navigation.

Adoption of Technologies

• Europeans adopted, not invented, these technologies from other cultures.
• Exposure through trade routes and merchant activities (Pax Mongolica).

European Innovations in Ship Building

1. Portuguese Caravel
   • Smaller, nimble ships capable of navigating shallow coastal areas and rivers.
   • Equipped with cannons for effective combat.
2. Portuguese Carrick
   • Larger ships for carrying more cargo and weaponry.
   • Played a crucial role in Portugal’s dominance in Indian Ocean trade.
3. Dutch Fluyt (Flute)
   • Designed exclusively for trade with massive cargo holds.
   • Required smaller crews, cheaper to build due to innovative Dutch tools.
   • By mid-17th century, responsible for half of Europe’s shipping tonnage.

Conclusion

• European powers utilized adopted technologies and innovated in shipbuilding to establish and expand seabased empires.
• Key developments in maritime technology and shipbuilding were pivotal to their global dominance.

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For further review and study resources, including practice questions and exams, refer to the review guide mentioned.