AP World Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections

Overview

• This unit covers the period from 1450 to 1750 CE, which saw the emergence of transoceanic interconnections and the beginning of globalization.

• The unit focuses on the interactions between different regions of the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

• Key themes include the rise of European empires, the impact of the Columbian Exchange, the growth of global trade networks, and the spread of new ideas and technologies.

European Empires

• European powers, including Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, established colonies and trading posts around the world.

• These empires were driven by a desire for wealth, power, and prestige, as well as a belief in their cultural and religious superiority.

• European expansion had a profound impact on the regions they colonized, leading to the displacement of indigenous peoples, the spread of disease, and the exploitation of resources.

The Columbian Exchange

• The Columbian Exchange refers to the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas) following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

• The exchange had a significant impact on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to the introduction of new crops, such as potatoes and maize, and the spread of deadly diseases, such as smallpox and measles.

Global Trade Networks

• The growth of European empires and the Columbian Exchange led to the development of global trade networks, including the Atlantic slave trade and the spice trade in Asia.

• These networks facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and people across vast distances, transforming the world economy and creating new forms of cultural exchange.

New Ideas and Technologies

• The period from 1450 to 1750 saw the spread of new ideas and technologies, including the printing press, gunpowder, and the compass.

• These innovations had a profound impact on the world, enabling the spread of knowledge, the growth of military power, and the expansion of trade and exploration.

Conclusion

• The period from 1450 to 1750 was a time of significant change and transformation, marked by the emergence of transoceanic interconnections and the beginning of globalization.

• The rise of European empires, the impact of the Columbian Exchange, the growth of global trade networks, and

the spread of new ideas and technologies all contributed to this period of global transformation.

• While the expansion of European empires brought about immense wealth and power, it also led to the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples and the spread of deadly diseases.

• The Columbian Exchange, while introducing new crops and animals to the Americas, also had devastating consequences for indigenous populations who had no immunity to the diseases brought over from Europe.

• The growth of global trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, but also contributed to the rise of the Atlantic slave trade and the exploitation of resources in colonized regions.

• Despite these negative consequences, the period from 1450 to 1750 also saw the spread of new ideas and technologies that transformed the world, from the printing press that revolutionized communication and education to gunpowder that changed the nature of warfare.

• This period of transoceanic interconnections laid the foundation for the modern world and set the stage for even greater globalization in the centuries to come.

The Atlantic Slave Trade

The Atlantic Slave Trade was a transatlantic trade of enslaved Africans from the late 15th century to the mid-19th century. It was one of the largest forced migrations in history and had a profound impact on the African continent and the Americas.

Origins

• The Portuguese were the first Europeans to engage in the slave trade, starting in the 15th century.

• The demand for slaves in the Americas grew with the expansion of European colonies and the development of plantation agriculture.

• Europeans initially obtained slaves through trade with African kingdoms and empires, but later resorted to raiding and kidnapping.

The Middle Passage

• The Middle Passage was the journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas.

• It was a brutal and inhumane voyage, with high mortality rates due to disease, malnutrition, and mistreatment.

• Enslaved Africans were packed tightly into ships, often in unsanitary conditions, and subjected to physical and sexual abuse.

Impact

• The Atlantic Slave Trade had a devastating impact on the African continent, with an estimated 12 million Africans forcibly transported to the Americas.

• It also had a profound impact on the Americas, shaping the economies, societies, and cultures of the region.

• The legacy of slavery and racism continues to be felt today, with ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality.

Abolition

• The abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade was a long and difficult process, with resistance from slave traders, plantation owners, and others who profited from the trade.

• The British played a key role in the abolition of the trade, with the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.

• Slavery itself was not abolished in the Americas until the 19th century, with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1865.

AP World Maritime Empires

Maritime empires were empires that were based on sea power and controlled territories through naval dominance. These empires were characterized by their ability to control and dominate trade routes, establish colonies, and project their power across vast distances. Some of the most notable maritime empires in world history include:

Portuguese Empire

• The Portuguese were the first European power to establish a global empire.

• They established trading posts and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

• Their empire was based on the control of key trade routes, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

Spanish Empire

• The Spanish empire was built on the conquest of the Americas.

• They established colonies throughout the Americas and the Philippines.

• Their empire was based on the extraction of resources, particularly precious metals.

Dutch Empire

• The Dutch empire was based on trade and commerce.

• They established trading posts and colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

• Their empire was characterized by their control of key trade routes and their dominance in the spice trade.

British Empire

• The British empire was the largest empire in world history.

• They established colonies throughout the world, including in India, Africa, and the Americas.

• Their empire was based on trade and commerce, particularly in textiles and other manufactured goods.

Overall, maritime empires played a significant role in shaping world history. They facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across vast distances, but also led to the exploitation and subjugation of many peoples and societies.