WHH Chapters 16 & 17
Describe Portuguese leadership in Western European expansion and outreach
1430s: began to press down African coast 1488: rounded Cape of Good Hope 1498: da Gama's fleet reached India Late 1400s: ship blown off course to India → conquest of Brazil 1514: reached Indonesia and China 1542: reached Japan
Describe Spanish leadership in Western European expansion and outreach
14th century: travelled into the Atlantic 1492: final Muslim fortress in Spain captured; Columbus landed in West Indies 1519: Ferdinand Magellan set out to circumnavigate the globe Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Incas
What kinds of regional economic inequality emerged during this period? How did the role of "core" nations compare to that of "dependent" nations?
Examples of economic inequality Britain puts tariff on the importation of Indian cotton wanted to protect their own cotton industry unfair to India since they just lost a major customer of their cotton hurt their cotton industry Core Nations expanded manufacturing Tariff policies discouraged competition from colonies and foreign rivals (promoting home-manufactured items) Dependent Nations produced low-cost law materials and imported European Manufactured Items Sub-Saharan Africa entered the world network mainly as a slave supplier The need for cheap goods caused a rise in forced labor
What were the impacts of expansion and colonization on Western Europe
Foreign Items population growth becuase of foods like potatoes from the Americas luxury items (ex. sugar) became available to the lower classes when they had been very expensive and only available to the elite Conflict conflicts between European countries because of struggles for trading ports or colonies Colonial rivalries and wars added to existing hostilities Wealth (seven years war) New resources allowed for more trade wealth allowed military expansion improved quality of life more manufacturing
What were Portugal's motives for expansion?
Location on Atlantic Excitement for discovery Possibility of harm to Muslim empires Thirst for wealth
Describe European colonization in Asia during the early modern period
Not very many large colonies Exceptions- Philippines (Spain sent missionaries to convert locals to catholicism) Indonesia; Taiwan (Dutch East Indian Company had a major presents) France and Britain competed for control of India as Mughal authority declined (war broke out in 1744; French were defeated Limited influence-officials compromised with indigenous rulers Slight cultural impact
Why was Western Europe able to gain a new role in international exchange during the early modern period?
Technological improvements during the 15th century Developed ships that could sail through Atlantic waters Improved metalworking techniques allowed ships to Carry weapons superior to arms on other ships Compass and improved maps allowed for easier navigation
Commercial outreach of Western Europe
Commercial outreach of the West Europeans established limited network on harbors in Africa and Asia Europeans did not displace all Asian shipping, nor did they completely monopolize the Indian Ocean Some Asian countries participated and highly profited Control by merchant companies increased Europe's influence in international trade
What did the Ming Dynasty halt expansionist efforts in the 15th century? What were the impacts of this decision?
Bureaucrats opposed to new trade policies Confucian scholars feel threatened by popular officials on voyages Cost of voyages seemed unacceptable given the expense of campaigns to protect the northern border Preference for traditional expenditures over foreign involvement Internal economy development continued with no need for foreign products Europe wants China's luxury goods, so Europeans will go to China to trade Industrial expansion, agricultural expansion, and population growth continue to occur without international trade; not reliant on international trade Could rather use money to build up imperial capital Western explorers and traders attempted to seize international trading dominance Expanded international network to include parts of America for first time
What are the motives for Western Expansion and what things are happening that push them to expand?
Desire to be better, richer, and stronger than the Muslims Religious zeal lead them to push for new mission trips Strong monarchies pushed for expansion Protestants pushed to pass Catholic gains Improvements in shipbuilding
What are the impacts of Columbian Exchange?
Introduction of new crops such as potatoes, corn, and beans allowed Old World nations to grow in population. Native Americans became the victims of European diseases that they had not been exposed to previously, like measles, smallpox, and typhus. new crops and new domesticated animals caused soil erosion deforestation increased in many regions animals were endangered population growth caused the need for labor systems imported slave labor played a key role in the economic development of the Americas
What were the most important changes in Western Europe during the transition from the postclassical to the early modern period? What trends defined this transition in Western Europe?
Key features of medieval culture and society were questioned economic and social life are in disarray Church was under attack Feudalism gives way to large centralized government more international because of larger size Nobility becomes ceremonial Recurrent Famines Plague Population outpaced food sources/agricultural production technology increases desire to spread Christianity Urbanization growth of cities and economies Church is more accepting of Capitalism
What were Spain's motives for expansion?
Missionary spirit Desire for riches
Describe European colonization in Africa during the early modern period
Mostly established small coastal fortresses (confined to forts because of climate, disease, geographical barriers) Negotiated with African kings and merchants Deterred from conquering large areas due to disease, climate, and geography Do not gain internal land Exceptions-Cape Colony (The settlers expanded into nearby regions where they met and fought indigenous hunters and herding peoples. Later they began continuing wars with the Bantu) , Angola (The Portuguese sent disruptive slaving expeditions into Angola from established coastal centers)
What were the causes for the rise of Western European outreach and expansion?
New technology improvements in shipbuilding Use and improvements of compass and navigational technology knowledge of explosives improvements in guns, cannons, and metalwork
What were the key features of Inca civilization?
Rose from the highlands of Peru Reached from Columbia to Chile Andes Mountains Solutions to rugged geography Settled high in Andes mountains Built bridges between peaks Mountains are not good for farming, so they used agricultural terraces for farming allowed them to have a diverse food supply Ability to expand using peaceful assimilation highway and road system to facilitate trade Canals and ditches to irrigate crops Finely worked blocks with no mortar to build with Social Structure Sapa Inca: Emperor Royalty: Close relatives Nobility:Distant relatives or those who gained their title (By blood or by privilege-high priest) Ayllu: General public Divided into four provinces each with a governor Developed a bureaucracy Taxpayers organized into units Ruled by the Inca (Emperor) nearly considered a god High priest Curacas: local rulers Extracted land and labor from subject population Labor instead of paying tribute Best talents displayed in their land and water management, extensive road system, statecraft, and architecture and public buildings Pottery and cloth produced in workshops Inca metalworking was one of the most advanced in America No system of writing Arrival of Europeans to Americas and the Influence Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Incas Disease-small pox large amount of deaths artisans and citizens enslaves for gold mining executions after conquest Cultural Destruction Spanish cities built on top of Incan cities Art, Architecture, crafts often destroyed
Describe European colonization in the Americas during the early modern period
Spanish is 1st to establish colonies in Panama then Hispaniola 1509: began mainland settlements The goal was to find gold and convert locals to Christianity Often led by conquistadors Gradually, formal administration development in the colonies Difference about colonies American-Colonies Much larger colonies Larger influence Africa and Asia-Colonies Have to negotiate
What were the key features of Aztec civilization?
Surrounded by mountains and Lake Texaco Freshwater lake systems and swampy lands Factors leading to development Military prowess caused other groups to hire the Aztecs as mercenary soldiers They made money but didn't have to maintain allegiance with the groups they worked for divided into seven Calpulli, or clans The Great Speaker (Dominant Aztec ruler) Prime Minister The Great Speaker's advisor Governing council Small Villages Used the chinampa method of agriculture This method caused them to use much of the lake for agriculture Population Grew Much trade in order to gain luxury items Rope-making & Pot-making Merchant Class played a large part in economy with markets and trading with other people in the land Life was hard Weaknesses: No wheeled vehicles Less unification between agriculture and trade Only had primitive ways and farming tools Arrive of Europeans to Americas and the Influence Europeans Caused the Destruction of the Empire: The surviving Aztecs were highly susceptible to European diseases Surviving Aztecs were not allowed to learn of their native culture and were forced to read and write in Spanish Europeans Disrupted the Food Supply
What were the impacts of Mongol rule in Eurasia in the late postclassical period?
The Mongols had temporarily created an alternative global framework in their vast dominions, uniting European, Asian, and Middle Eastern regions in Asia, but their decline diminished international contacts and commerce The end of the Mongol era sparked questions of domination in international contacts and trade attention focused on sea trade due to disruptions of overland trading routes New opportunities for imitation occurred when the rise of the large and stable Mongol Empire provided access to Asian knowledge and technology
What were the most important changes in the Middle East during the transition from the postclassical to the early modern period? What trends defined this transition in the Middle East?
The weakened state of both the Abbasids and the Byzantines The overthrow of the last Abbasid caliph by Mongols in 1258 left the Middle East in a period of disarray continuing into the 1400s New piety and religious emphasis Islamic science's role in society diminished Landlords increased influence and seized power over peasantry Many peasants became serfs Agricultural productivity reduced Tax revenues decline Traders began to lose ground and influence Emergence of the Ottomans Ottomans were not the sole hub of international network as the caliphates had been
What were the most important changes in China during the transition from the postclassical to the early modern period? What trends defined this transition in China?
Zhu Yuanzhang returned Chinese rule to China 1368: Mongols are driven out of China-Establishes the Ming Dynasty Ming establishes tributaries and controls the neighboring governments asserts dominance in the area Quickly focuses on expansionism Zheng He's expeditions State Sponsored neighboring governments
What major changes took place during the early modern period in world history? How does this period compare to the postclassical period?
new empires (Ottoman Empire/Ming Dynasty) new trade routes more global economy initial phase of globalization (proto-globalization) new biological exchange of food, animals, people new importance of large political units and their diplomatic/military interactions
What were major causes for change in the early modern period
new technology ships capable of carrying heavy arms using and improving the compass mapmaking and other navigational new combination of sails improvements to ships made it easier and safer to travel new guns and cannons intimidated foreign people in colonies revival of empire building (Ottoman, Europeans overseas) exploration by Europeans desire to circumvent Islamic powers new military technologies compass, better ships, gunpowder
What continuities are found between the post classical and early modern periods in world history?
some political features and trade routes persisted (silk road) spread of world religion cultural stability in most areas of the world global contact did not overturn regional cultural patterns no sweeping global technologies change no change in gender roles
