AP World History Modern Unit 4 1450-
1750 (Maritime Empires)
Charters - Answer-Documents granting the right to organize settlements in an area
Mercantilism - Answer-An economic policy under which nations sought to increase
their wealth and power by strictly regulating the economy to obtain large amounts of
gold and silver by selling more goods than they bought and utilizing colonies
Prince Henry the Navigator - Answer-(1394-1460) Prince of Portugal who established
an observatory and school of navigation at Sagres and directed voyages that spurred
the growth of Portugal's colonial empire.
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) - Answer-It was perhaps the peak of Chinese civilization
with 300 years of peace and prosperity. They improved the Grand Canal, made great
porcelain, and under Yong Le encouraged exploration. They also built the Forbidden
City in the capital of Beijing. After Yong Le rulers would reject exploration. The Ming
would participate in the Global Silver Trade, starting in the mid-1500s, as an eager
buyer of silver. However, they will be overthrown by the Manchu.
Portuguese Empire - Answer-took an early lead in European exploration (sponsored
by Prince Henry); went East and established trading posts in West Africa, East Africa
(Swahili City States) and India for spice trade
maritime - Answer-on or near the sea
Global Silver Trade - Answer-Silver trade between the Americas and Europe and
onward to China from the 16th to 18th centuries. It had a profound effect on the world
economy and silver trade could also be considered the beginning of the global
economy.
Spanish Empire - Answer-Made up of territories and colonies in Europe, Africa, and
Asia controlled from Spain. At its strongest, it was one of the biggest empires in world
history according to how much land they had, and one of the 1st global empires.
Royalty from the Castile and Aragon kingdoms ruled it. Christopher Columbus led the
first Spanish exploration trip which led them to colonizing in the Americas.
plantation agriculture - Answer-Production system based on a large estate owned by
an individual, family, or corporation and organized to produce a cash crop.
cash crop - Answer-a crop produced for its commercial value rather than for use by
the grower.
