Portuguese Exploration and Trade Quiz

Portuguese Exploration and Asian Sea Trade

• Portugal led early exploration, seeking spices for trade.
• Vasco da Gama found a route to the Spice Islands (in the Indies).
• Portugal sought spices, trade opportunities, and to preserve food better through salt.
• Asian Trade route included Sri Lanka (cinnamon), China (silk, porcelain), India (cotton, spices) and Arab nations (perfumes, glassware).
• Europeans had negative trade balances with all these regions, primarily trading silver.

Mercantilism

• Mercantile systems (like Portugal initially) were controlled by government.
• Government wanted to hoard precious metals (positive trade balance) and took 40% of whatever was discovered.

Second Wave of Exploration (English, Dutch, French)

• English, Dutch, French joined the Indian Ocean trade.
• Dutch took over the Spice Islands from Portugal.
• Improvements in trade included joint-stock companies and stock exchanges. This placed invested capital (money) in the hands of the people, not just the government.
• This led to faster growth and increased profit opportunities.

Religious Motivations

• Europe's desire for conversion drove missionary efforts in Asia.
• Missionaries targeted India, Philippines, and other areas.
• Conversions were common amongst lower classes in India hoping to climb the social ladder.

Spain's Exploration

• Spain primarily focused on westward exploration, including the Philippines.
• Portugal focused on eastward exploration.
• Both countries sought trade and conversion in Asia.
• Brazil became a Portuguese colony.

Ming China (1368-1644)

• Ming China initially traded with Europeans, but increasingly limited contact.
• Ming China was largely ethnocentric, and became isolated to limit foreign interaction.
• Ming China developed a Neo-Confucianist understanding
• Ming China had a patriarchal Confucian rule with examination system and foot binding practices.

The Columbian Exchange

• The exchange of goods fostered significant population growth in some areas.
• Stable crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn were introduced, increasing food availability and population growth.
• However, climate change (mini ice age) and famine threatened populations in the affected areas.
• Population boom from 80-120 million.

Land Demands and Revolts

• Growing populations increased demands for land, creating tensions between the land owners and peasants.
• Land revolts occurred as rent increased due to landlord influence and limited land access.

Japanese Reunification & Isolation

• Japan's reunification led to the growth of Daimyo (lords), culminating in the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Initial Japanese leaders (Nobunaga, Hideyoshi) were interested in trade but saw missionaries as threatening.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu, who installed a Shogunate, ordered the isolation of Japan and the banning of Christianity.
• International trade and travel were forbidden.
• The Dutch received an exception to this rule allowing a limited amount of trade.

Test your knowledge on Portuguese exploration and its impact on Asian sea trade. Learn about the routes taken by Vasco da Gama, the role of mercantilism, and the later involvement of English, Dutch, and French traders. This quiz covers the main commodities traded and the evolution of trade practices in the 16th century.