4.4 Maritime Empires Link Regions

• What motivated European nations to establish maritime empires?

  Political, religious, and economic rivalries
• What types of goods were commonly traded in Asia during the establishment of European empires?

  Luxury goods such as silk and spices
• How did American plantations influence labor systems in the Americas?

  They relied on existing labor systems and introduced new ones like indentured servitude and chattel slavery
• What is indentured servitude?

  Arrangements where servants contracted to work for a specified period in exchange for passage
• What is chattel slavery?

  A system in which individuals are considered property to be bought and sold
• What demographic changes occurred due to the growth of the plantation economy in the Americas?

  Increased demand for slaves led to significant demographic, social, and cultural changes
• Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?

  A Portuguese ruler interested in navigational technology and exploration
• What was the impact of Portuguese trading posts in Africa?

  They established trade relationships and exchanged goods like gunpowder for slaves
• How did the Kingdom of Dahomey benefit from the slave trade?

  It grew stronger by raiding villages and selling enslaved people to Europeans
• How did the expansion of maritime trading networks affect African states?

  It supported the growth of some states like the Asante Empire and the Kingdom of Kongo
• What happened in 1498 involving Vasco da Gama?

  He invaded the Swahili city-states of East Africa
• What was Japan's response to European traders and missionaries in the mid-16th century?

  Japan initially tolerated them but later restricted foreign influences
• What measures did Japan take to limit foreign influence by the 1630s?

  They expelled nearly all foreigners and banned most foreign books
• How did the Ming Dynasty attempt to limit outside influence on China?

  By prohibiting private foreign trade and restricting ship sizes
• What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

  A 1494 agreement dividing the Americas between Spain and Portugal
• What was the encomienda system established by the Spanish?

  A system where landowners compelled indigenous people to work for them in exchange for food and shelter
• How did the hacienda system arise in Spanish colonies?

  When landowners developed agriculture on their lands
• What were the main economic systems that fueled European maritime empires?

  • Trade in luxury goods (silk, spices)
  • Plantation economies in the Americas
  • Labor systems: indentured servitude and chattel slavery
• What were the key factors that led to the establishment of European trading posts in Asia and Africa?

  • Political, religious, and economic rivalries
  • Exploration and navigation advancements
  • Cooperation with local rulers
• What were the consequences of European colonization on indigenous populations in the Americas?

  • Population decline due to diseases
  • Collapse of empires (Aztec and Inca)
  • Enslavement and exploitation of indigenous peoples
• How did European powers compete for dominance in India during the 18th century?

  • Establishing trading posts (British East India Company, Portuguese, French)
  • Engaging in military conflicts (Seven Years' War)
  • Forming alliances with local rulers
• What role did the Portuguese play in the Indian Ocean trade?

  • Established armed trading posts
  • Took control of trade routes
  • Engaged in military conflicts to secure trade dominance
• What were the differences between traditional Indian Ocean trade networks and those controlled by Europeans?

  • Traditional networks relied on ethnic and religious ties
  • European networks used military superiority
  • Europeans established armed trading posts
• Who began the Western European search for profit in the Americas?

  Columbus
• What action did Columbus take due to the scarcity of gold in the Caribbean?

  He kidnapped Tainos and took them to Spain as slaves
• What was the encomienda system established by the Spanish in the early 1500s?

  A system to gain access to gold and resources by compelling indigenous people to work for landowners
• What were landowners in the encomienda system called?

  Encomenderos
• How did the encomienda system compare to Europe's manorial system?

  It compelled indigenous people to work in exchange for food and shelter, similar to serfs
• What was notorious about the encomienda system?

  It was known for its brutality and harsh living conditions
• What agricultural products were developed under the hacienda system?

  Wheat, fruit, vegetables, and sugar
• What economic impact did the discovery of silver in Mexico and Peru have?

  It revived economic fortunes for explorers and Spain
• What process increased the profitability of silver mining?

  The use of mercury to separate silver from its ore
• Which cities became thriving centers of silver mining by the end of the 16th century?

  Zacatecas and Potosi
• How did Spanish authorities in Peru adapt the Incan mit'a system?

  They transformed it into a coerced labor system for mining
• What was the main purpose of Spanish colonies in the Americas under mercantilism?

  To supply as much gold and silver as possible
• What are the different types of labor systems in the early modern period?

  • Slave: Considered property, few rights
  • Serf: Attached to land, not free to move
  • Indentured Servant: Worked without pay for up to seven years
  • Free Peasant: Had more freedoms compared to others
• Which European countries were developing naval technology during this era?

  Portugal, Spain, and England
• What was the initial purpose of Portuguese trading fleets in West Africa?

  To seek slaves
• How did slavery exist in Africa before European involvement?

  It included extensive enslavement of women and community land sharing
• Who were the first foreigners to seek African labor?

  Arab merchants during the Postclassical Era