Unit 4 SAQs
(4.4) Explain ONE difference between the economic development of Portugal and the economic development of China in the period c. 1450--c. 1750.
A difference between economic development of Portugal and China was that Portugal wanted to expand by trading outwards in new areas and China wanted to end their trade with others. As Portugal expanded their trading activities and traveled to Asia, Africa, and South America, China wanted to limit outside influence by restricting trade, and they did so by destroying dockyards, and limiting ship size, some reasons being that they wanted to remove Mongol influence from their ruling in previous centuries. Portugal traveled to newer areas to get different goods and resources by interacting with others, while China wanted to stop the spread of goods coming into their area, by ending interactions with others
(4.4) Explain ONE similarity between the trade in the Indian Ocean networks before the arrival of the Portuguese and the trade after their arrival c. 1450—c. 1750.
A similarity in trade in the Indian Ocean networks before and after the arrival of the Portuguese was how merchants continued to move through their businesses as usual. Areas of the Indian Ocean trade network were looked and taken over by colonies, so merchants had to pay money to get passes through the waterways, which continued even after the Portuguese came. This similarity shows how merchants were unbothered by new traders, and carried out their normal deeds and tasks like they did before.
(4.5) Describe ONE way that Vodou is an example of religious syncretism.
According to the text, one way that Vodou is an example of religious syncretism is that Vodou is an amalgamation of African and Indian religious beliefs and practices as well as Roman Catholicism. For example, under slavery, African culture and religion were suppressed, and people became culturally unified due to this fragmentation. Their pooled religious knowledge was combined into the Vodou faith, making Vodou a syncretic belief system, or a combination of multiple different belief systems. According to the text, another way that Vodou is an example of religious syncretism is that text and imagery from one belief system are used to represent beings from another belief system. For example, pieces of Roman Catholic liturgy and images of Catholic saints are used to represent various spirits, and many Catholic saints are honored in the Vodou faith. This syncretism allows Vodou to encompass African, Indian, and European religious beliefs and traditions in one belief system.
(4.1) Explain ONE economic motivation for understand wind patterns.
One economic motivation was the fact that harnessing winds would require the knowing of wind patterns.
(4.7) Explain ONE way in which challenges to an elite class affected political or economic structures in the period 1450-1750.
Challenge to the top of the social hierarchy affected political structures by making rulers strengthen their control over the empire. A failed revolt in France convinced the king Louis XIV that he had to keep power from the common and nobility, putting on stricter control over his people. Rulers would see these conflicts between groups and often acted as controllers to make their political systems more harsh.
(4.5) Describe ONE way that Christianity in Latin America demonstrated religious syncretism.
Christianity in Latin America was mainly the Roman Catholic Branch. This branch hold the name miste that was influenced by the Haitians. This shows the influence and the fusing of different backgrounds to demonstrate syncretism. Christianity in Latin America displays syncretism because it combines Aztec faiths and European Catholicism. This is shown in the Virgin of Guadalupe which is a mix of the Mother Mary and the Aztec goddess of fertility, tonantzin, and famine a big part of Mexican religion today. Christianity in Latin America is a type of religious syncretism because it blends the beliefs of the roman Catholics and the Aztec faith. Missionaries who went to Latin America in areas of todays Mexico brought catholism with them which the indigenous celebrated catholic saints day along with their traditions, and the Virgin od Guadalupe which is a mix of mother Mary and the Aztec goddess of fertility and famine that is a big part of mexican religion today. Chritianity displays religious syncretism because parts of it is celebrated with indigenous belifs in other countries.
(4.3) Explain ONE way in which commodities affected economies in the Americas, Africa, and Europe in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
Commodities such as corn stabilized the population. Corn was easily grown in many areas and easy to transport. It's ability to reach different regions upheld the population that was left after disease. European explorers took Mesoamerican maize (corn), potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peppers, and cacao back home and started to grow them. Potatoes became so popular that they were thought native to certain regions, like Ireland. Africa's populations grew in the 16th and 17th cen due to nutritious foods introduced there like yams and manioc from Brazil. Brazin started taking interest in sugarcane, which they had perfect land conditions for growing them, and soon, sugar surpassed silver as the main moneymaker for the European empires.
(4.3) Describe Crosby's argument about the interactions that occurred between the Americas and Europe/Africa in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
Crosby claims that biological exchange occurred and this made both worlds more similar than before. For example, he discusses how corn which was once in one part of the world, now dominated global agriculture and this demonstrates uniformity between the two hemispheres.
(4.4) Explain Cuello's argument in the passage.
Cuello's view is that slavery was essential to the Spanish colonies and they needed it to survive and thrive in that area. The author discusses how slavery helped the Spanish adapt to the new region and how it was a result of a low labor supply. He also mentions the need for slaves to mine silver and how this made them an asset for the Spanish.
(4.5) Explain one way in which the development of a global economy affected societal structures in European states between 1450-1750
Development of global economy allowed countries greater access to one another. This access allowed Europeans and indigenous people to mix races making mestizo or mulattoes. Societal structures in Europe changed to give a place for those mixed with pure European blood.
(4.3) Explain ONE way in which disease transformed the Americas, Africa, and Europe in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
Disease transformed these regions negatively through food production. Disease killed off the lower class population because of harsh work conditions that allowed the spread of it. When disease killed people, there weren't enough people to work the farms that fed the larger population.
(4.1) Explain ONE historical situation in the period 1450-1750 other than the ones illustrated in the passages, in which states in Asia or Africa had an impact on the development of European states.
In Africa, they would trade enslaved people which could be used to boost their economy and promote more growth of vegetation. In Asia, they collected silk, spices, and rhubarb, all of them are considered very valuable.
(4.6) Describe ONE example of how economic structures affected a state's ability to maintain order in settlements in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
Increasing tributes and taxes amongst the lower class in Russia kept them under control. When the peasants were in extreme debt they were sent into serfdom. From this they were tied to the land and forced to work it to pay off debt, keeping them under the government's control.
(4.1) Explain ONE way in which the passage from Lockard reflects technological developments that influenced social structures in the period 1450-1750
It showed how technological developments like gunpowder influenced social structures in Europe because the use of it allowed them to obtain slaves into their empire. Gunpowder, like other tech developments, played a prominent role in the evolution of humans because they can use it for warfare, and as a trade for slaves since African states sold people off for weapons that would help them defeat their neighboring groups. By entering slaves into European colonies in the Americas, societies here would be based off of race therefore forming a racial hierarchical society.
(4.1) Explain ONE way the words of Voltaire reflect technological developments that influence political structures in the periods 1450-1750
It showed that gunpowder caused countries to turn on its people and such. Volitaire stated that there was "no pepper to be had at calicut that was not dyed red with blood".
(4.5) Explain ONE way in which mercantilism affected economies in Africa and Asia in the period c. 1450~c. 1750.
Mercantilism increased government control of the economy. Government control over the economy was welcomed by high tariffs and the formation of colonies. This allowed the African and Asian governments who adopted this form of governance to oversee economic affairs. The principle of the mercantile economic system is that nation's wealth and power are influenced and increased when its increased its exports trade to other countries. So, the practice of mercantile economic system by the Europeans during the 1450 - 1750 lead to an increase in goods importation in Africa and Asia. Therefore, the increase of Import activities over export activities affected the Africa and Asia economy during the period.
(4.7) Explain ONE way in which policies of monarchs and leaders withstood challenges in the period 1450-1750.
Monarchs and other leaders were able to withstand challenges in one way where they had complete and total authority over their domain. For example, the boyars from Novgorod disagreed with Ivan IV's expansionist policies, so Ivan beat them with his forces and sent them to one of his lands so that he could keep a direct watch over them. Like this example, rulers were able to do pretty much whatever they wanted with their power and they made it far more difficult for rebels to get support. One way in which monarchs and different leaders were able to withstand challenges was because they were absolute monarchies. They had total and complete power over their domain letting them basically do whatever they wanted, and making it much harder for anyone to find allies in a revolt. Because of this unlimited power of the rulers, they were able to take over any challenges and show their authority to rule over the people.
(4.2) Describe ONE political or economic difference between the British and French settlements in the Americas in the period c. 1250-c. 1750.
One difference between British and French settlements in the Americas was different relations with indigenous peoples. Unlike their English counterparts who often took advantage of and harmed Native peoples to acquire their lands and profitable natural resources, the French rarely settled or attempted to settle permanently in the Americas as, instead of demanding land, they traded for furs trapped by the Native Americans. For this reason, the French had better relations with natives than did the English colonies and their settlements also grew more slowly.
(4.2) Explain one political or economic difference between the Dutch and French settlements in the Americas
One economic difference between the Dutch and French is how the French rarely settled permanently while the Dutch did. For example, the Dutch set up a town called New Amsterdam in the Americas which would become a permanent settlement there as the Dutch established colonies to produce goods while the French often were content with moving around North America to trade goods like fur. The Dutch's emphasis on establishing major port towns, such as New Amsterdam, which became an important node in the Dutch transatlantic trade, compared to French settlers' emphasis for migration In the Americas, allowed Dutch colonies to grow much larger and more rapidly.
(4.2) Describe ONE social or economic similarity between the Spanish and French settlements in the Americas in the period c. 1250-c. 1750.
One economic similarity between the Spanish and French settlements in the Americas was that they both wanted their profits to grow rich with gold and other valuables. The Spanish once gave up on fining riches in the Americas, but soon explored the areas of the Aztecs and the Incas which had large amounts of gold, and the French took control of Canada and had a role in valuable fur trades that would benefit their empire. Both of these groups looked for places to settle with the same motivation of finding valuable goods and riches.
(4.2) Explain our one explorer listed in the chart affected the empire that sponsored him beyond the impact identified in the last column.
One explorer listed in the chart affected the empire that sponsored him was Henry Hudson. Hudson did this by bringing Dutch merchants to trade with trappers. Dutch merchants traded furs in exchange for manufactured goods. Because the furs that were brought back were a luxury goods , this boosted the economy of the empire that sponsored him. Hudson also found the Hudson River and Formed New Amsterdam. The port town of New Amsterdam prospered due to its major river that flowed to the Ocean and how this area was an important node/crossroad in the Dutch transatlantic trade network. This brought economic wealth to the Dutch since they now had a wider span of trade routes and more access to other goods.
(4.2) Explain how 1 explorer listed in the chart affected the indigenous population of the Americas.
One explorer that affected the indigenous populations of the Americas was Columbus. For example, Columbus brought smallpox to the Americas. This is important because smallpox devastated indigenous populations which led to the downfall of those empires. Columbus bringing diseases such as smallpox with him the Americas devastated the indigenous population which led to the empire's downfall.
(4.7) Explain ONE historical situation in the period 1450-1750, other than the one illustrated in the passage, in which imperial states adopted policies that limited the political power and influence of groups of people.
One historical situation was how the Ottomans allowed Jews to stay in the empire, however they limited their freedom. Ottoman rulers under Mehmed II adopted policies that limited Jews political power by permitting them to only live in specified areas of the cities, paying taxes for being non muslim, and not holding top positions in the empire which are reserved for Muslims. By limiting the power the Jews could have in the empire, they did not have full freedom or leave a very big influence in this area.
(4.7) Explain ONE way in which social structures in c. 1450—c. 1750 in the Americas compares to the social structures in China during the Qing dynasty.
One similarity between the social structures was classes. Almost all ancient civilizations naturally developed similar social structures, as this one social structure was the best, at that time, for building a strong nation. They had a head of government, who was basically a king, and at the bottom you had peasants or slaves. The middle would have merchants and warriors, and above that would be politicians and statesmen. Although they went by different names in these different societies, the concepts were more or less the same.
(4.6) Explain ONE historical situation in the period 1450-1750 in which state power was challenged by internal pressures.
One situation where state power was challenged by internal pressure was in the Catholic church when the protestant reformation took place. The Protestant reformation was led by Martin Luther who challenged the Church's power since they did not follow important teachings of the Bible. This religious tension that challenged the leaders power demonstrated how some people did not fully agree with their choices, creating internal conflicts within empires.
(4.2) Explain how one technological improvement that originated outside of Europe helped Europeans in their voyages of discovery
One technological improvement developed outside of Europe that benefited Europeans was the magnetic compass. For example, the magnetic compass was developed by the Chinese and made it easier to steer a ship in the right direction. This helped Europeans because they could figure out the right direction to travel in with greater accuracy.
(4.6) Explain ONE way in which the Pueblo Revolts were similar to the battles between the Marathas and the Mughals.
One way the Pueblo Revolts were similar to the battles between the Marathas and the Mughals because both were fighting because of religious reason. The Pueblo Revolts were made by the Pueblo and Apache indigenous groups who attacked the Spanish since they were forcing religious converts, and the Marathas were Hindus revolting against the Mughals who were Islam. These were both conflicts of separate religious groups who wanted to show their religious freedom and power over the other.
(4.1) Explain ONE political motivation for developing navigational technology.
So that ships can travel more easily and get to their destined place faster.
(4.6) Describe ONE example of how social structures affected a state's ability to maintain order in settlements in the period c. 1450-c. 1750.
Social structures often lead to uprisings. In many states, but more specifically Russia, had peasant uprisings. The Pugachev rebellion lead peasants to rebel resulting in stricter management on lower class citizens. After uprisings, Catherine imposed stricter laws to maintain control of the lower class. The effect of revolts from lower societies in empires made leaders reconsider their rules and strengthen their order.
(4.1) Explain ONE way in which state interactions in the period of 1450-1750 had an impact on different cultures.
State interactions and different cultures lead to extensive trade and also lead to introduction to new technologies.
(4.5) Explain ONE specific example of religious syncretism other than Vodou that resulted from the Atlantic slave trade.
Sufism developed from the global interaction caused by the Atlantic Slave trade. Sufism is a syncretic religion that fused the core beliefs of Islam and other regions religions to spread it. The Atlantic slave trade resulted in new branches of Sufism to form as they conformed to other regions religions while spreading their own to form the syncretic. One specific example of religious syncretism other than Vodou that resulted from the Atlantic slave trade is the African American church. For example, the African American church is a hybrid of Christianity and African spiritual traditions and was created by enslaved Africans in the United States. Because of this unification of cultures, the religion remains one of the oldest and most stable institutions in African American communities today.
(4.4) Explain ONE historical situation in the period 1450-1750, other than the one illustrated in the passage, in which European states transformed the lives of colonized states.
The Aztecs and Incas in the Americas were greatly affected by the Europeans in horrible ways. The Aztec Empire in Mexico and the Inca empire in South America each had 10-15 million people and they declined from the spread of European diseases and both empires collapsed from attacks by Spanish forces, which ransacked their empires, stealing gold and breaking up cities. The Aztecs and Incas lives were transformed from the changes of peaceful lifestyles into bloodshed.
(4.3) Explain ONE way in which European practices affected the environment in the Americas in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
The European's were in the search of riches and overlooked the native life. While the European's looked for gold, they destroyed land to mine which the natives may have used for food production. Their practices led to soil erosion and deforestation. A way through which European practices affected the environment in the Americas during this period was that colonization ruptured the ecosystem. It should be noted that during this period, colonization ruptured the ecosystem. It brought in new organisms while others were eliminated. Also, the Europeans brought many diseases with them. This decimated the population of the Native Americans. Therefore, new plants were planted by the Native Americans as medicines.
(4.7) Explain the authors' argument in the passage.
The author argues that a racial caste system still exists in Latin American Nations. 185 years of social, economic, an political advances implies the system is embedded in the societies. Societies built on what they were founded on will hold its values no matter how they seem to disappear, it is still in their unchanged law.
(4.3) Explain ONE way in which the biological impact referred to in the passage differed from other encounters between the Americas and Europe/Africa in the period c. 1450-c. 1750.
The biological impact referred to in the passage had a positive impact on the eastern world. However, different biological factors such as disease had a strong negative influence on the western region. In addition some of the factors and exchanges that occurred were not biological. Instead they were cultural and innovative such as music, language, and communication methods. A different encounter between the Americas and Europe was the spread of diseases on the population of the Americas. Christopher Columbus's voyage and other Spanish settlers from Europe made colonies in the Americas, and from here they brought with them many deadly diseases like smallpox and malaria which the indigenous people were not immune to. Opposed to the passage, there were also negative impacts on the interactions between the two groups which brought devastation to the Americas.
(4.7) Explain ONE way in which the casta system changed European economies in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
The casta system brought a change in European economics since it denoted and differentiated people based on their birth in society, leading to higher taxes. People at the bottom layers of the hierarchy could not rise in level without intermarriage, and they had to pay higher taxes and tribute which contributed to the funds of the economy. The castas were at the bottom of the hierarchy, and rulers showed their power by enforcing payments from them, which later built the economy in the end.
(4.5) Explain one way in which the Commercial Revolution transformed global economies in the period 1450-1750
The commercial revolution led to more ocean trade routes. This transformed the connection between continents through the triangular trade. Globally, this allowed various economies to rise because of the contact with more resources.
(4.6) Explain ONE way in which the Pueblo Revolts differed from the Cossack Revolts.
The difference between the Pueblo revolts and the Cossack revolt is that the Pueblos revolted against the forced religion of the Spanish while the Cossack revolt had a political undertone. The Pueblo revolt was due to the religious persecution that the Pueblos faced in the hands of the Spanish conquistadors while the Cossack rebellion was due to the fact that the Cossacks felt that their social privileges were being threatened. This implies that the Cossacks revolts were politically-inclined, while the Pueblo revolts were mainly religious.
(4.4) Describe ONE economic impact that the mit'a system had on Europe in the period c. 1450—c. 1750.
The mit'a system provided good work for new factories and productions for Spain. Spain started their silver industry and needed labor which they would use indigenous populations to do, so they used the mit'a system as a mandatory work service and a coerced labor system. Spain used previous tax systems and labor services to grow their colonies and economy wealthy.
(4.4) Explain ONE way in which the treatment of slaves in Mexico was different from the treatment of slaves taken in the Indian Ocean trade in the period 1450-1750.
The slaves taken to Mexico and Latin America were mainly used in agricultural labor and mining gold and silver. They were often mistreated and viewed as tools rather than people. However, in areas of the Indian Ocean, slaves were viewed as servants (people) than tools and treated with respect. Some that converted to Islam were granted freedom and given a place in society. Many of the slaves also did housework and didn't complete dangerous work exhausting work. The treatment of the slaves when comparing the harsh lives slaves faced in Mexico, to the opening and acceptance of slaves in the Indian Ocean show a clear difference.
(4.3) Explain ONE historical situation in the period 1450-1750, other than the one illustrated in the passage, in which states experienced environmental impact.
The transfer of cattle and animals from one region to another, particularly from the eastern to the Western Hemisphere had a drastic environmental impact in the Americas. The animals that were brought to the west over grazed caused soil erosion and lead to the transfer of diseases. European colonists also cut down trees in the Americas to clear areas for growth, creating large fields for cultivation. This resulted in deforestation and soil depletion as problems. The Europeans also had large populations and strained the water sources, leading to further pollution in the area.
(4.6) Compare Torrez's view of the long-term impact of Spanish rule in New Mexico with the long-term impact of Metacom's War.
Torrez's view of the long-term impact of the Spanish rule in New Mexico and the long-term impact of the Metacom's war is different in many cases. Torrez viewed the impact of Spanish rule in New Mexico as more beneficial. The technology, food, and tools that were spread to the region by the Spanish were used by the Pueblos. These factors became a prominent part of their life, as they started using cattle, sheep, fruit trees, and more for survival and nourishment. Many also proceeded to convert to Christianity and were influenced by the teachings of the Franciscans. However, the impact of the Metacom's War was less significant. These wars were over the desire of the Europeans to pressure the Native Americans off of their lands, so they can get control. The Europeans tried to get the natives drunk so they can cheat them into bargains and other processes. However, the long-term impact doesn't ultimately show that the Natives benefitted, but rather that they were involved in a string of battles against European powers. Also, these European powers fought over each other for control, and also fought against the indigenous people. The long-term impact was not beneficial, but rather that a string of battles took place, and there was more violence between the natives and the colonists. However, both revolts are similar in the way that the cause of the revolt was the colonists abusing the labor and relationship between the natives and the colonists. The root cause of the revolts is extremely similar in this sense.
