History of the Americas: Heritage of Colonialism- Practice

The map above shows the exploration route taken by Cabral. His major accomplishment was landing in and claiming __________. A. Brazil B. the Caribbean C. China D. India

A

Columbus began his voyage in 1492, hoping to find a(n) __________. A. way around the tip of Africa B. eastern route to India C. western route to Asia D. way around North America

C

The map above shows the exploration route taken by __________. A. Cabral B. Columbus C. Dias D. de Gama

C

When many American Indian slaves died of European diseases, they were replaced with __________. A. paid workers from Europe B. slaves transported from Mexico C. slaves brought to the Americas from Africa D. people who worked in exchange for part of the yearly crop

C

All of the following developments made early exploration possible except __________. A. newer, faster ship models B. the use of astrolabes to determine location C. the increased accuracy of maps D. a detailed geographic coordinate system

D

Using complete sentences, discuss the purpose and results of the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Sample Response: Both Spain and Portugal, the leaders in European exploration, were setting their sights on the Americas by the late 1400s. Christopher Columbus had just completed the voyage that found these desirable, resource-rich lands. The Treaty of Tordesillas was drawn up to prevent disagreements between Spain and Portugal over land ownership. The compromise was an imaginary line that divided the lands between the two countries. Spain was given the land west of the line, while Portugal received the land to the east. The result was that Spain was given almost all of South America and Portugal got a small coastal region where present-day Brazil is located.

Using complete sentences, identify at least three reasons why European countries wanted to pursue exploration.

Sample Response: European countries began an age of world exploration in the 1400s and 1500s, largely due to trade complications. The people of Europe desired luxury goods from Asia, such as spices and silk. To obtain these items, trade merchants needed to travel across the land to east Asia along land routes controlled by the Turks. These trips became more difficult and expensive over time. To solve this problem, European voyages were sponsored to seek out a water route to Asia. Beyond trade items, Europeans wanted access to more resources such as land and gold. They also wanted to discover larger trading networks in which to sell their goods. Both of these pursuits could increase the wealth of European countries. The desire to spread Christianity throughout the world was another reason for voyages.

Explore the effects of European exploration on the world. Explain at least three benefits that resulted from exploration and three costs of exploration. Be sure to write your response in complete sentences.

Sample Response: The Age of Exploration had both positive and negative effects on many people and cultures around the world. One of the greatest benefits to European countries was a large increase in power and wealth after gaining land, gold, and other resources from the Americas. The Columbian Exchange stemmed from exploration and linked the world in an international trading network. Goods and ideas were passed across the Atlantic Ocean, and both the Americas and Europe were introduced to new food products and animals. Access to resources increased with trade and supplies went up, causing prices to go down. Along with the multiple voyages by European countries came a greater understanding of the world, making maps more accurate. Those who benefited from exploration were largely Europeans, while those who experienced the costs were the people who were controlled or conquered. When Europeans set foot on American soil, they had to contend for land and resources with the thousands of people who already lived there. Millions of American Indians quickly fell ill with foreign diseases brought by the Europeans, and the ones who lived were forced into slavery. The settlers needed labor to produce enough food products for trade. When the American Indian slaves continued to die of diseases, the Europeans set their sights overseas. Africans were taken from their homelands and brought across the Atlantic Ocean to work. Many died along this journey. With the deaths of Africans and American Indians and the forced removal of people from their native cultures, it is no surprise that a loss of culture resulted from exploration.

Using complete sentences, identify and explain at least three reasons why the Spanish were able to defeat the Aztec and Inca empires.

Sample Response: The Aztec and Inca empires were among the largest and most advanced civilizations of their time. With the empires' vast land holdings and populations in the millions, it is amazing that the Spanish were able to cause the fall of the empires in a matter of years. Hernando Cortes and Francisco Pizarro were the two men credited with toppling these empires. One of the early advantages for both was that the Aztec and Inca emperors welcomed them into their respective cities. Once inside, the Spanish easily captured and killed the emperors, removing the Aztec and Inca's top rulers. The Spanish were aided by their superior weapons and armor. The horses that they brought from Europe also made a big difference in their military success. The Aztec and Inca did not have access to these items, nor had they seen them before. An unseen enemy of the native people was European diseases. Thousands died because they did not have immunity to them. Cortes and his conquistadors had the advantage of alliances with Aztec enemy tribes. These tribes fought alongside the Spanish, giving them more military strength than they would have had with the small numbers they had on their own.

In four or more complete sentences, discuss the importance of the Columbian Exchange. Be sure to identify at least three of the products that were involved in the exchange.

Sample Response: The Columbian Exchange was an international trade network sparked by exploration. It involved the movement of goods and ideas between the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This exchange included everything from food and animals to slaves and diseases. The Columbian Exchange helped to expand economies, especially in Europe. Items such as sugar were once luxury items that weren't available to the poor. With increased production in the Americas and the trade system, the supply of sugar rose in Europe. Soon people of all classes could enjoy it. Other products native to the Americas, like tomatoes, chili peppers, and chocolate, significantly changed European cuisine. People in the Americas also began to enjoy new products from Europe. They now had access to sugarcane, coffee, bananas, and chickens.