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Period: 1450 to
Unit 4 Timeline
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1492
The Role of States in Maritime Exploration
During this time period, European states sought out ways to expand authority and resources in the empire-building area. Maritime exploration were funded by the state for the this very reason. Expansion and wealth. This sparked many expeditions such as Christopher Columbus'. His expedition changed the world forever due to all the changes cause by introducing the old world into the new world. -
1492
Diseases and Population Catastrope
Columbus' expedition to the Americas introduced disease to the native population. The native people of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres had been almost completely isolated from each other. So when introduced to the diseases that Columbus brought along with him, they had no immunity and were almost completely wiped out because of it. -
1492
Social Classes and Minorities in Gunpowder Empires
During the age of gunpowder empires social classes and minorities were handled differently when it came to different societies. For example, the Ottomans were successful for their relative tolerance towards Jews and Christians. But they were only allowed to live in specific areas of the cities, paid taxes that all non-muslims must pay, and could not hold top positions in the empire. The Mughal Empire was tolerant of all religions and ended the jizya tax. -
1492
Transoceanic Travel and Trade
The global economy was changed forever when new technology was developed to aid in sea travel. Some of these inventions included astronomical charts, the astrolabe, compass, magnetic compass, lateen sail, carrack, caravel, and the fluyt. This resulted in the Columbian Exchange which introduced the old world to the new world and vice versa. Crops, animals, people, and diseases were exchanged during this time period which altered the world forever. -
1492
Developments of Transoceanic Travel and Trade
The development of transoceanic travel and trade allowed for Europe to explore the world in hopes for wealth and new converts. Christopher Columbus traveled to the Americas, where he obtained sugar, tobacco, and rum. He also traveled to Africa where he obtained slaves. Finally, he obtained silk, spices, and rhubarb from Asia. This trade turned Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, France, and Holland into maritime empires. -
1495
Economic Strategies
The wealth of European countries was based on how much gold and silver was in its coffers. The hunger for wealth turned into greed which turned entrepreneurs into laborers. This time period also experienced the commercial revolution which was the transformation to a trade-based economy using gold and silver. this affected the entire world and was caused by population growth, inflation, the development of overseas colonies, and the opening of new ocean trade routes. -
1498
State-Building and Empire Expansion
Expeditions were what held maritime empires together. New claimed lands allowed for states to expand their empires and to grow in wealth and power. State building and empire expansion were done with trading posts set up in foreign territory, trade, and conquest. -
Resistance to Portugal in Africa
The Portuguese looked to Africa since they had been pushed out of South Asia by the Dutch and English. The Portuguese had conducted slave raids since the 15th century in order to build a colony. Ana Nzinga, the ruler of Ndongo, formed an alliance with the Portuguese but it quickly broke down and Nzinga and her people escaped to the west where they took over Matamba and incited a rebellion in Ndongo. She also offered runaway slaves freedom in Matamba and allied with the Dutch.
