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

Causes of European Expansion

Technological Advances

• Adoption of Maritime Technologies:
  • Magnetic compass from China
  • Astrolabe from Greece and the Arab world
  • Lateen sail from Arab merchants
• European Innovations:
  • Shipbuilding: e.g., Portuguese Caravel
  • Understanding of regional wind patterns

Political Causes

• Growth of State Power:
  • Centralization of power in European monarchies
  • Increased monarch involvement in trade
  • Desire to bypass land-based trading routes controlled by other empires

Economic Motives

• Mercantilism:
  • Wealth seen as limited "pie"
  • Focus on exports and minimizing imports
• Joint Stock Companies:
  • Limited liability businesses funded by private investors
  • Examples: Dutch East India Company (VOC)

Rise of Maritime Powers

Portugal

• Pioneers in maritime exploration
• Trading post empire strategy
• Use of caravels and carracks

Spain

• Sponsored Columbus
• Colonization of the Americas and the Philippines
• Tribute collection and coerced labor

France

• Exploration in North Atlantic
• Fur trade in Canada

England

• Colonies in the Americas
• Interest in Indian Ocean trade

Netherlands

• Gained independence from Spain
• Dominance in Indian Ocean via VOC
• Strategic trading locations

The Columbian Exchange

Disease

• Introduction of smallpox, measles to the Americas
• "The Great Dying"

Food and Plants

• New World to Old World: maize, potatoes
• Old World to New World: wheat, rice, sugar

Animals

• Introduction of horses, pigs, and cattle to the Americas

Resistance to European Expansion

Asian Resistance

• Tokugawa Japan restricting foreign influence

European Resistance

• The Fronde in France against absolutism

Resistance in the Americas

• Maroon societies of escaped slaves

Impact on Africa

Growth of African States

• Asante Empire: Wealth from gold, ivory, and slaves
• Kingdom of Kongo: Diplomacy with Portugal

Changes and Continuities in Trade

Indian Ocean

• Continuity of long-standing trade networks
• Increase in European involvement

Atlantic System

• Introduction of plantations and cash cropping
• Sugar and silver as key commodities

Changes and Continuities in Labor Systems

Existing Systems

• Mita system adapted by the Spanish

New Systems

• Chattel Slavery: Race-based, hereditary
• Indentured Servitude: Contract-based labor
• Encomienda and Hacienda: Spanish labor systems

Changes in Belief Systems

Christianity in the Americas

• Missionary activity and syncretism

Social Hierarchies and Changes

Ethnic and Religious Diversity

• Varying treatment of Jews in Spain/Portugal vs. Ottoman Empire

Political Elites

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

Struggles of Existing Elites

• Russian boyars' declining power under Peter the Great

These notes capture the key developments, players, and impacts of the maritime empires and their expansions during the specified period, providing a comprehensive overview for study.