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Questions and Answers
What was the role of Prince Henry the Navigator in Portuguese exploration?
What was the role of Prince Henry the Navigator in Portuguese exploration?
Prince Henry the Navigator spearheaded Portugal's exploration of Africa and the Atlantic in the 1400s.
How did the Portuguese expand their empire?
How did the Portuguese expand their empire?
The Portuguese spread their empire down the western coast of Africa to the Congo, along the western coast of India, and eventually to Brazil and the Atlantic islands.
What was the impact of the Portuguese on the African slave trade?
What was the impact of the Portuguese on the African slave trade?
The Portuguese were the first European power to exploit the African slave trade, funding it with the sugar production on the newly colonized Atlantic islands and trading enslaved people across the Atlantic to work on sugar plantations.
What is mercantilism and how did it shape European perceptions of wealth?
What is mercantilism and how did it shape European perceptions of wealth?
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What were the key factors of colonial mercantilism?
What were the key factors of colonial mercantilism?
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What was the Columbian Exchange?
What was the Columbian Exchange?
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Why did Britain encourage settlements in North America?
Why did Britain encourage settlements in North America?
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Study Notes
Prince Henry the Navigator
- Led Portuguese exploration in the 15th century, sponsoring voyages to explore the west coast of Africa and the Atlantic Ocean
- Established a navigation school and cartography center to develop navigational tools and maps
- Facilitated the discovery of the Madeira Islands, the Azores, and the Cape Verde Islands
Portuguese Expansion
- Established trade routes and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas
- Explored and mapped the west coast of Africa, discovering the Congo River and the route to India
- Colonized Brazil in 1500 and established a permanent settlement in 1532
Portuguese and the African Slave Trade
- Played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, capturing and selling millions of Africans
- Established slave trading posts in West Africa, including the fort of Elmina in Ghana
- Used slave labor to develop their colonies in Brazil and the Atlantic islands
Mercantilism
- An economic theory that a country's wealth is measured by its accumulation of gold and silver
- Encouraged exports and discouraged imports to increase a country's wealth
- Shaped European perceptions of wealth, leading to a focus on colonization and trade
Colonial Mercantilism
- Key factors included:
- Establishment of colonies to provide raw materials and markets for exports
- Use of Navigation Acts to control trade and restrict competition
- Creation of monopolies to control key industries
The Columbian Exchange
- The transfer of plants, animals, and culture between the New and Old Worlds following Columbus's voyages
- Led to the introduction of new crops, such as maize and potatoes, to Europe
- Resulted in the devastating impact of European diseases, such as smallpox, on Native American populations
British Settlements in North America
- Britain encouraged settlements in North America to:
- Establish trade routes and resources
- Provide a base for privateering and naval warfare against rival European powers
- Increase British wealth and influence through colonization
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Description
Test your knowledge of European imperialism with this quiz! Explore the key figures and events that shaped this era, including Prince Henry the Navigator and Portuguese colonization. Challenge yourself to see how much you know about this important period in history.
