Prieto Test
State and describe the technology the Portuguese used to help them make it to Asia and the role Chinese gunpowder played in the Portuguese goals in Asia.
As the Portuguese worked to get to Asia, they used different types of technology, such as carracks and caravels, which are two types of boats, compasses,astrolabes, and Chinese gunpowder. The role of Chinese gunpowder was an important one, as the Portuguese used it to bombard Asian ports and gain control of active sea lanes of the Indian Ocean, which helped them control trade. New vessels included the carrack, a three- or tour-masted ship, developed by the Portuguese to deal with rough waters like the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Equally important was the caravel, with specially designed triangular sails, which enabled European sailors to nose in and out of estuaries and navigate unpredictable currents and winds. By using highly maneuverable caravels and perfecting the technique of tacking (sailing into the wind rather than before it), the Portuguese advanced far along the West African coast. In addition, newfound expertise with the compass and the astrolabe helped navigators determine latitude.
What were Asian countries willing to accept from Europeans in order to trade and how did Europeans obtain it?
Asian countries desired silver, not European products. Europeans desired Asian products, so precious metals like silver from colonized areas in the Americas, or "New World," provided Europeans with something they could offer, and the Asians were willing to accept this trade. Europeans obtained these precious metals through mines, forcing Amerindians to work in them, often in brutal conditions.
Describe Aztec conquests and challenges that existed when the Spanish arrived.
Aztecs: Conquests & Challenges although Aztecs controlled much of Mesoamerica, their constant wars & conquests decreased their level of stability Aztecs forced defeated neighbors to pay tribute of crops, gold, silver, textiles, etc to finance Aztec grandeur; conquered groups also provided constant supply of humans for sacrifice Aztecs believed the great god of the sun required human hearts (to keep burning), blood to moisten Earth; priests escorted captured warriors up temple steps, tore out their hearts, offered their lives & blood as sacrifice Aztecs faced constant turmoil as those conquered rebelled, Aztecs poured more and more men & money into the military By 1502, right before the Spanish arrived, Aztec empire, under Emperor Moctezuma II, was under extreme stress/very vulnerable -after hearing that ships bearing pale, bearded men and "monsters" (horses & dogs) arrived, Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II sent emissaries with gifts to greet them Hernan Cortes, a former encomendero from Cuba, was the leader who traveled west seeking wealth; with help from translators such as La Malinche, daughter of a noble family With assistance from La Malinche and allies (enemies of Aztecs/Moctezuma) who wanted release from Aztec control, Cortes marched his troops to Tenochtitlan, where he and his crew were overwhelmed Although Aztecs had conquered others & created a large empire, Spanish overcame them due to: 1-weaponry (gunpowder, steel swords), 2-method of warfare (Aztecs fought to capture, not to kill; Spanish killed foes "with abandon"), 3-allies/Aztecs' enemies, 4-disease Moctezuma became a puppet of the Spanish, when Cortes was away, a Spanish massacre of unarmed people in a Tenochtitlan led to a massive uprising (during which Moctezuma was killed) Cortes returned to reassert control, was unsuccessful & f
State and describe how China, during the Ming Dynasty, prospered economically.
Chinese Ming Dynasty's manufacturers had great reputation worldwide Chinese Ming Dynasty governed a highly diverse group of people & was considered the model imperial state Prosperity in Ming China China prospered from increased commerce in late 1500s Ming dynasty also seemed unconcerned regarding the increasing appearance of foreigners Ming also confined European traders to port cities Silver Europeans took from Americas and brought to China allowed employers to pay workers money rather than produce or goods which motivated workers to produce more Chinese production of agriculture and handicrafts soared Greater prosperity led to a surge in Chinese population (most people lived in the countryside, but cities still had large populations that enjoyed literary & theatrical societies, schools, religious societies, urban associations & manufacturers from all over the empire) Chinese cities' elegance & material prosperity dazzled European visitors Chinese cities' entertainment districts offered developments in the arts and literature for women who were often from scholar-official families Commerce brought vitality to Ming China that outlasted the dynasty
Who was Emperor Akbar/where did he rule? When did he rule? State and describe 2 characteristics of his rule?
Emperor Akbar was an esteemed and effective Mughal ruler of India. He ruled from 1556 to 1605, and during his rule he made important alliances through deals with Hindu chieftains via favors and intermarriage, which provided necessary support for his control of the empire. He also studied comparative religions and hosted debates among Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Parsi, and Christian theologians. This tolerance allowed for a multi-faceted spiritual kingdom.
Describe the Protestant Reformation (what was it, how and why it began, who is credited with starting it, why he was upset).
Protestant Reformation Religious movement devoted to returning to ancient sources (biblical scriptures) for spiritual guidance; like the Renaissance was devoted to ancient Greek & Roman arts, literature, scientific exploration Due to technological advancement of printing press & translation to vernacular of the Bible (Bible widely available and people could read it), Church laypersons (not clergy) began reading and interpreting scriptures in a new way, which led to Protestant Reformation and split Christendom Initiating event: Oct. 31, 1517 (day before All Saints' Day) Martin Luther posted 95 Theses (criticisms of Church practices, ex: selling indulgences to raise money) on door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany Martin Luther (1483-1546) German Monk and professor of theology (**Germany at the time was not its own country, was split into various small areas, each run by a "German prince" and some under control of the Holy Roman Empire; "German" was an ethnicity/nation) Used his knowledge of the Bible to criticize some Church ideas & practices Luther stated that forgiveness did not depend on taking sacraments or performing good deeds; that,instead, faith could be obtained from reading the Bible Luther stated that Christians did not need priests to speak to God for them (criticized confession), that all believers could speak to God themselves 3 Main principles that launched Luther's reforming efforts: Faith alone saves Scriptures alone hold key to Christian truth Belief in priesthood of all believers Martin Luther (1483-1546) Reacted against corrupt practices in the Church (keeping of mistresses by monks, priests & popes, selling of indulgences to raise money for fancy St. Peter's basilica in Rome) 1517-Luther posted a list of 95 statements to doors of Wittenberg cathedral (95 Thes
What commercial advantage did Spain have due to their conquest of the Philippines? With who?
Spain had a commercial advantage as silver taken from the Americas was taken to the Philippines, a Spanish colony, to be traded for Chinese goods. The Chinese did not want to trade with Europeans, so this was advantageous for the Spanish. Fine Chinese porcelain and silk was shipped to wealthy Europeans and Spanish colonists in America. They had this commercial advantage with Asia.
Describe the encomienda system.
Spanish crown rewarded conquistadors, who became encomenderos, with land grants/encomiendas (included land to farm, mine and Native American workers) and the right to coerce Indian labor; encomenderos who received labor rights paid taxes on metals extracted by Amerindians Rich class of encomenderos arose; Spanish crown and economenderos benefited financially while Native Americans died of disease, malnutrition, overwork
Apply the term "profits attract resources" to the reason why the Portuguese set out to find a route to Asia.
The Portuguese set out to find a route to Asia because they had profits to be earned through spice trade. They wanted to follow where the money was, and because they had the resources to get wealthy from this type of trade, the Portuguese used them in order to get "in on the action." In other words, the Portuguese saw how much profit Asia was making from spice trade, so they used their resources to map out a new route to Asia.
State and describe characteristics, ideas and perceptions of Europeans of the Taino and Carib societies.
The Tainos were Caribbean inhabitants. They couldn't forge steel, but still had their own weapons. When they were shown steel by Columbus, they cut themselves, since they didn't know of sharp edges. They didn't have a religion, and they had some gold. They thought of Europeans as hairy and rude, while Columbus thought them naive and primitive. Columbus learned of the Caribs through the Tainos. The Caribs were described as savage, warlike cannibals. The perceptions of these societies formed many misconceptions about native groups.
Why did Ferdinand and Isabella agree to financially support Columbus' trip to Asia? With what did the Spanish arrive to the New World? How did these things create advantages for the Spanish? What political issues existed when the Spanish arrived and how were they advantageous for the Spanish?
financially supported by King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella after they had united Spain & expelled Arab Muslims hoping to obtain funds to finance recapture of Jerusalem (in Muslim Arab hands) arrived in what they eventually called the "New World" with Cannons, Steel weapons, Body armor, Horses, Deadly diseases Their weapons helped them with violent conquering, the horses intimidated the natives and helped them travel on land, and the diseases eliminated the majority of native populations, leaving much land left to the Spanish The Spanish arrived at a time of division among Amerindian/Native American populations; material advantages & gaining local allies (divide & conquer) enabled the Spanish to conquer & colonize the Americas
