AP World History: Maritime Empires (1450-1750)

Overview

• Focus on Maritime Empires from 1450-1750.
• Key themes: European expansion, technological advances, growth of state power, and economic motivations.

Causes of European Expansion

Technological Advances

• Adoption of Maritime Technologies: Europeans adopted technologies from Greek, Islamic, and Asian worlds:
  • Magnetic compass (China).
  • Astrolabe (Greece/Arab world).
  • Lateen sail (Arab merchants).
• European Innovations:
  • Shipbuilding advancements, e.g., Portuguese Caravel.
  • Understanding of regional wind patterns.

Growth of State Power

• Monarchs grew in power, centralizing control.
• Desire to bypass land-based trade routes controlled by Asian empires, leading to interest in sea routes for trade.

Economic Motivations

• Mercantilism:
  • State-driven economic system.
  • Focus on a favorable balance of trade (more exports than imports).
• Joint Stock Companies:
  • Enabled shared risk in financing explorations.
  • Examples: Dutch East India Company (VOC), British and French joint-stock companies.

Key Players in Maritime Expansion

Portugal

• Led by Prince Henry the Navigator.
• Focused on African coasts and Indian Ocean.
• Trading post empire strategy (factories).

Spain

• Sponsored Christopher Columbus.
• Colonization focus in the Americas and Philippines.
• Employed tribute collection and coerced labor.

France

• Explored North America; focused on Canada and fur trade.
• Small holdings focused on trade.

England

• Explored Americas after defeating Spain.
• Established colonies in Virginia (Roanoke, Jamestown).

The Netherlands

• Dutch East India Company dominated the Indian Ocean.
• Brief colonization in the Americas (e.g., New Amsterdam).

The Columbian Exchange

Transfer of Diseases

• Devastating impact on indigenous populations (e.g., smallpox, measles, malaria).

Transfer of Food and Plants

• European settlers brought wheat, olives, grapes.
• Introduction of new crops like maize and potatoes boosted global populations.
• Enslaved Africans introduced foods like okra and rice.

Transfer of Animals

• Introduction of pigs, sheep, cattle, and especially horses to the Americas.

Resistance and Impact

Asian and Local European Resistance

• Tokugawa Japan: Limited European trade influence to maintain control.
• The Fronde in France: Noble rebellion against increasing monarch power.

Resistance by the Enslaved

• Maroon Societies: Communities of escaped slaves particularly in the Caribbean and Brazil.

African States and Global Networks

• Participation in trade networks led to growth of African states like the Asante and the Kingdom of the Kongo.

Changes and Continuities in Trade Networks

Indian Ocean Network

• European entrance led to increased profits but not full dominance.
• Continuity in regional trade practices and local merchant participation.

Atlantic System

• Introduction of new goods, wealth, and labor systems.
• Sugar and silver were dominant commodities.

Labor Systems in the Americas

Existing Systems

• Mit'a System: Adopted by Spanish for mining operations.

New Systems

• Chattel Slavery: Race-based, hereditary slavery.
• Indentured Servitude: Contractual work agreements.
• Encomienda system: Forced labor in exchange for protection.
• Hacienda system: Land-based labor control.

Changes in Belief Systems

• Spread of Christianity as a justification for colonization.
• Syncretism: Blending of Christian and indigenous beliefs.

Changing Social Hierarchies

Ethnic and Religious Diversity

• Jewish Treatment:
  • Expulsion from Spain and Portugal.
  • Welcomed in the Ottoman Empire.

Rise of New Elites

• Casta System: Racial hierarchy in Spanish colonies.
• Ching Dynasty: Manchu favoritism in China.

Struggles of Existing Elites

• Russian Boyars: Power diminished under Peter the Great.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the major themes and developments during the period of Maritime Empires from 1450 to 1750, as covered in the AP World History curriculum.