Heimler's History - AP World History Unit 4 Review

Introduction

• Main Theme: Trans-oceanic interconnections (1450-1750)
• Focus: Development and expansion of sea-based empires (maritime empires), primarily led by Europe
• Europe transitions from lagging to a dominant imperial power

Key Technological Advancements

• New Ships: the Fluyt, the Caravel, and the Carrack
  • Characteristics: Smaller, faster, cheaper, and nimbler
  • Strictly merchant ships, not convertible to warships
• Latin Sail: Triangular sail for better wind harnessing
• Navigational Technologies: Improved astronomical charts, astrolabe, and magnetic compass

European Exploration

• Motivation: Find sea routes to Asia due to Muslim control of land routes
• Discovery of Americas: Christopher Columbus' journey, leading to the Columbian Exchange

Columbian Exchange

• Definition: Biological exchange between Eastern and Western hemispheres
• Key Exchanges:
  • Diseases: Europeans brought smallpox, natives gave Europeans syphilis
  • Animals and Food: Europe introduced sugar and horses; Americas sent back potatoes, maize, and guinea pigs
• People: Major impact seen in the Atlantic Slave Trade with chattel slavery system

European Labor Systems in the Americas

• Failed Native Systems: Natives died from diseases
• Coerced Labor Systems:
  • Encomienda: Protection in exchange for labor
  • Hacienda: Large plantations from encomiendas
  • Mita: Adapted from Incan public labor system for private gain
• Indentured Servitude: Temporary labor for 7 years
• Chattel Slavery: Permanent ownership of African slaves

Economic Changes

• Global Economy: Emerged from linking Eastern and Western hemispheres
• Mercantilism: Dominant economic system
  • Wealth measured in gold and silver
  • Led to intense rivalries between European powers
• Colonialism: Linked to mercantilism for resource extraction
  • Portuguese set up trading post empire
  • Other European powers established empires in the Americas

Funding Exploration

• State-funded: Initially, ventures funded by the state
• Joint-Stock Companies: Innovative British and Dutch model for shared financial burden and profit

Social Changes

• New Social Hierarchies in the Americas: Casta System
  • Peninsulares: European-born
  • Creoles: American-born Europeans
  • Castas: Mixed ancestries (Mestizos, Mulattos, Zambos)
  • Indigenous and African peoples: At the bottom

Conclusion

• Review key topics through specific video playlists
• Focus: Helping students get an A in the class and a 5 on the exam

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