History of Trade and Empires

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Questions and Answers

What was a primary reason for the Ming Dynasty's adoption of isolationism?

To increase trade with foreign nations

To promote cultural exchange

To expand military power

To reduce the costs of expeditions (correct)

Which ancient American empire was known for its use of chinampas?

Olmec

Maya

Inca

Aztec (correct)

What type of religion did the Maya practice?

Atheistic beliefs

Monotheistic religion

Polytheistic religion (correct)

Animistic traditions

What was a significant geographical feature that influenced the Inca's agricultural practices?

Mountains Signup and view all the answers

Which technological achievement was used by the Incas for record-keeping?

Quipu Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a key good traded by the Ming Dynasty?

Silk Signup and view all the answers

What was an important impact of rivers on ancient civilizations?

Supported agriculture and trade Signup and view all the answers

What was the decline of the Inca Empire primarily due to?

Spanish conquest Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the mercantilism economic policy?

To ensure a favorable trade balance for the mother country Signup and view all the answers

Which explorer is credited with leading the first circumnavigation of the globe?

Ferdinand Magellan Signup and view all the answers

What were the 3 G's of exploration that motivated many explorers during the era?

Gold, Glory, and God Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of the Columbian Exchange on Europe?

Improvement of diets from new crops like corn and potatoes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following items was NOT brought to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?

Tomatoes Signup and view all the answers

What led to the demand for African labor in the Americas?

The decline of native populations due to disease and overwork Signup and view all the answers

Which explorer is known for inspiring future explorers through his travels to China?

Marco Polo Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Middle Passage' refer to?

The journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Vocabulary

Prosperity: Wealth and success in trade and economics.
Favorable Trade Balance: When a country exports more goods than it imports.
Immunity: Resistance to diseases.
Flourish: To grow and develop successfully.
Mesoamerica: A region encompassing parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America.
Monotheistic Religion: Belief in one god (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Judaism).
Polytheistic Religion: Belief in multiple gods (e.g., Mayan, Aztec religions).

The Ming Dynasty

Zheng He, a Chinese explorer and admiral during the Ming dynasty, expanded China's influence through trade routes in Asia, Arabia, and East Africa.
Ming dynasty expeditions established diplomatic ties and traded silk, porcelain, and spices with Europe via the Silk Road.
The Ming later adopted isolationism to protect Chinese culture and reduce expedition costs.

Ancient American Empires

Maya: Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, practiced polytheistic religion, developed a calendar system, and had city-state governments.
Inca: Located in the Andes Mountains of modern-day Peru, practiced polytheism, built extensive road networks, and used terrace farming.
Aztecs: Located in central Mexico, worshipped a polytheistic religion centered on the Sun God, built chinampas (floating gardens), and constructed monumental architecture like pyramids. Their empire fell due to the Spanish conquest and disease.

Geography and Technology

Geographic features like mountains (e.g., Andes) influenced agricultural practices (e.g., terrace farming). Rivers facilitated trade and settlement.
Technological achievements include hieroglyphics (writing system), terrace farming, chinampas (floating gardens), and advanced road systems (e.g., Incan roads).

European Explorers

Christopher Columbus, a Spanish explorer, initiated the Columbian Exchange in 1492.
Mercantilism was an economic system where colonies provided raw materials to the mother country and bought finished goods in return, ensuring a favorable trade balance for the mother country.
Major explorers include Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, John Cabot, and Henry Hudson.

Conquistadors and Impacts

Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and conquerors, particularly in the Americas, who often used force.
Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztec Empire, while Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire.

The 3 G's of Exploration

Gold: The search for wealth through resources like gold and silver
Glory: Achieving fame for explorers and their countries
God: Spreading Christianity

The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of goods, crops, animals, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds (Europe, Africa, and Asia vs. the Americas).
Europe benefited by having access to new crops like corn and potatoes, increasing its population.
The Americas suffered from diseases introduced by Europeans, decimating its native populations.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

The demand for labor in the Americas drove the transatlantic slave trade.
The triangular trade route involved goods from Europe to Africa, slaves to the Americas, and raw materials back to Europe.
The Middle Passage was the brutal journey enslaved Africans took across the Atlantic.
The slave trade resulted in population loss and societal disruption in West Africa, and created a foundation for plantation labor and economic growth in the Americas.

Mercantilism and Joint-Stock Companies

Mercantilism structured colonies to supply raw materials and buy finished goods from their mother country and maintain a favorable export-import balance.
Joint-stock companies are organizations where investors pool money to fund exploration and trade, distributing risk among multiple contributors.

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Description

This quiz explores key vocabulary and significant events related to the Ming Dynasty and Ancient American Empires. Key topics include trade practices, cultural influences, and religious beliefs in Mesoamerica. Test your knowledge on the historical dynamics of prosperity and exploration.