Colonization of the New World

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Questions and Answers

How many Africans were sold to the Muslim world?

10 million

20 million

11 million

16 million (correct)

What was the purpose of the indulgences sold by the Pope?

To fund the Crusades

To support the Protestant Reformation

To fight against the Muslim world

To finance the construction of the Basilique St-Pierre in Rome (correct)

What was Luther's main objection to the sale of indulgences?

The Pope was too powerful

The money was being misused by priests (correct)

The Church was too rich

The concept of indulgences was unbiblical

What was a characteristic of the commerce in ancient American societies?

It was based on bartering Signup and view all the answers

What was a feature of the writing system of the Amérindiens?

It was non-alphabetic Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the ancient American societies?

They were skilled metallurgists Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Pope sell indulgences?

To fund the construction of the Basilique St-Pierre in Rome Signup and view all the answers

What was a feature of the ancient American societies' knowledge?

They had a precise understanding of astronomy Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a democratic regime?

Universal suffrage and separation of powers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Constitution in a democratic regime?

To ensure the separation of powers and guarantee individual rights Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an authoritarian regime?

Concentration of power in one person or a small group Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of a regime with concentrated power?

Violence and restriction of individual freedoms Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of democracy?

Sovereignty of the people Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental difference between a democratic and authoritarian regime?

Respect for human rights and individual freedoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the Habeas Corpus and the Declaration of Rights?

To guarantee freedom of religion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the monarchic system in France during the 17th and 18th centuries?

Absolute Monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of the Protestantism in the Netherlands?

It was a major religion in the region Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the concept of government where power is held by the people?

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the division of the Netherlands in 1648?

Religious differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the war that lasted from 1618 to 1648 and led to the establishment of religious peace in Europe?

The Thirty Years War Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of Protestantism?

The protest against the sale of Indulgences Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the theory of predestination?

Calvin Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of an absolute monarchy?

The monarch's power is absolute and divine Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for European states and colonizers to conquer vast territories in America?

To obtain economic benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the theory of predestination?

That God is omniscient and knows who will be virtuous Signup and view all the answers

What is the criterion of democracy that states that the people participate in power through electing representatives?

Sovereignty of the people Signup and view all the answers

Which European powers formed empires in Latin America?

Spain and Portugal Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Calvinist movement spread?

In Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and southern France Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the coexistence of Catholicism and Protestantism in Europe?

A series of violent conflicts and wars Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the violence against the indigenous populations in America?

They were reduced to almost 10% of their original population Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the 'encomiendas'?

To grant land and slaves to European colonizers Signup and view all the answers

What was the solution to the religious conflicts in England?

The invention of democracy and a parliamentary monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Parliament in the English monarchy?

To approve the King's decisions Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 'Controversy of Valladolid'?

The humanity of the indigenous populations was reaffirmed Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the 'triangular trade'?

To establish a system of trade between Europe, Africa, and America Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the English solution to religious conflicts?

The coexistence of Catholics and Protestants Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the European colonizers' need for labor?

To support the growth of their economy Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of the European diseases on the indigenous populations?

They were decimated by European diseases Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The End of Humanist Christian Hope: Violence

Colonization of the New World led to economic competition among European powers, resulting in violence against indigenous populations.
The Spanish and Portuguese established empires in Latin America, while the French and English colonized North America.
In Africa and Asia, colonization was limited to trading posts and exchanges with local populations.

Violence against Indigenous Populations

European conquests led to violence against indigenous populations, who were subjected to enslavement, disease, and decimation.
The emperor Charles V and the Pope attempted to suppress the "encomiendas" (land and slave assignments to colonists), but colonists resisted.
The " Valladolid controversy" (1550) reaffirmed the humanity of indigenous peoples, but it was too late; most indigenous populations were decimated by the 16th century.

The Triangular Trade

European colonizers needed labor, so they established a lucrative triangular trade: products from Europe (weapons, textiles, alcohol, iron bars) were exchanged in Africa (slaves) and then in America (exotic foods and rare metals).
11 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic, while 16 million had already been sold to the Muslim world by African tribal chiefs.

Cultural Intolerance

Forced conversion of indigenous populations to Christianity demonstrated contempt for their cultures.
Indigenous societies were capable of domesticating nature (e.g., cacao, potatoes, avocados, maize) and had developed writing systems, religious values, astral knowledge, metallurgical techniques, and political organizations.

The Protestant "Reformation" and Wars of Religion (16th century)

Indulgences and the Origin of Protestantism

The Pope sold "indulgences" to finance the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, which allowed the forgiveness of sins.
The German monk Luther opposed this practice, arguing that the Church was rich enough not to collect money and that the Pope could not substitute for God in granting access to Paradise.

The Spread of Protestantism

Protestantism spread across Europe, leading to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.
Calvin developed the theory of predestination, which held that God chose those who would go to Paradise.
Protestantism took different forms: Lutheranism in the North, Calvinism in Switzerland, Scotland, and southern France, and Anglicanism in England.

Violence and Wars of Religion

Tensions and violence erupted in countries where Catholicism and Protestantism coexisted.
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in Paris was one of the bloodiest episodes, and Protestants also used violence against Catholics.

Three Political Solutions during the Ancien Régime (17th and 18th centuries)

The English Solution

The English invented modern democracy to avoid further wars of religion.
They established a parliamentary monarchy, where the king ruled with the consent of Parliament, elected by the population.
Texts like the Habeas Corpus (1679) and the Declaration of Rights (1689) guaranteed religious freedom.

The French Solution

In contrast, the French solution was an authoritarian regime, known as absolutism.
The king, considering himself a representative of God on earth, controlled all aspects of daily life, including religion.
The French monarchs imposed Catholicism as the only religion, banning Protestantism.

The Solution in the Belgian and German Territories

In the 16th century, the Belgian territories belonged to a larger territory governed by the powerful Habsburg family.
After decades of religious conflicts, the territory was divided in 1648: the northern provinces became the independent United Provinces (modern-day Netherlands), while the southern provinces remained under Spanish Catholic rule.
A similar solution was applied in the German Empire, where each principality could choose to allow Protestantism or Catholicism on its territory.
Peace was finally restored in the 17th century after the devastating Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).

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Description

Explore the colonization of the New World, including the conquest of territories in America by European powers such as Spain, Portugal, France, and England. Learn about the economic reasons behind these conquests and their impact on the indigenous populations.