Age of Discovery Exam Study Guide PDF

Age of Discovery Exam: Topical Study Guide Test format: True/False + Short Answer Overview of evolution of Monarchy (Absolute Monarchy → Limited Monarchy) William I Charlemagne has a Feudal kingdom -​ Feudalism: social system where lords hold lands from King in exchange for military service...

Age of Discovery Exam: Topical Study Guide Test format: True/False + Short Answer Overview of evolution of Monarchy (Absolute Monarchy → Limited Monarchy) William I Charlemagne has a Feudal kingdom -​ Feudalism: social system where lords hold lands from King in exchange for military service ​ He delegates lords to provinces as “illusion of inclusion” ○​ Lords report events from lands + provide soldiers in times of war ○​ Charlemagne orders lords to run land with his ideas -​ King does NOT have direct allegiance Feudalism fails as there is lack of direct allegiance to the king → Easier for Lords / Lesser Lords can rebel since they provide for serfs + pays knights William I a.k.a. “The Conqueror” (1066) ​ William I was a noble french man ​ Conquered feudal kings of present UK + asserted power on the new kingdom (England) → UK originally had saxen nomads + anglo people Wiilliam eventually unite them under his kingdom (anglo-saxon) -​ Dismantle saxen leadership -​ Bring nobles under his leadership -​ Promote cultural homogeneity though not from anglo-saxon heritage William uses direct allegiance (“perfect” Charlemagne’s Feudalism) ​ He was not only the 1st king of the west but also founder of Monarchy ○​ Feudal system did not have direct allegiance ○​ MONARCHY has direct allegiance ​ William built an army of paid soldiers ○​ In feudal kingdom, knights were hand-picked by lords (loyal to lord > king) ○​ William I made his own army + paid them to be loyal to HIM Monarchy: one person making law, making decisions, collecting taxes, enforcing laws, etc. -​ No legal obligation to have power checked -​ Monarch may have advisers, but X share power -​ Monarch is hereditary (direct blood-descendent) → X based on intellect, qualification, etc. → hand-picked by God; Divine right Monarchy ○​ ↓ chance of rebellion Methods to achieve direct allegiance: Salisbury Oath ​ Pledge that the subject of England is loyal to England + King William ○​ Pledge before God; therefore, should not break the oath ​ Since Monarch just formed, subjects are not loyal to the idea of Monarchy + King William ○​ Oath keeps subject captive to be loyal to the new king ○​ Oath can be used to punish people who are X loyal The Great Council ​ Very similar to Charlemagne’s “illusion of inclusion” ​ The Great Council has no power over the king’s decision ○​ Simply a group of wealthy men → Overtime, becomes the British Parliament ​ The Great Council initially has X power, but eventually gains enough power to be able to check Monarch + Church ○​ They also make + enforce laws Direct taxes paid ​ In feudal kingdom taxes went: serfs → lesser lords & lesser lords → lord & lord → king ○​ By the time it reached king, most $ were taken (X direct) ​ William I appointed tax collectors to directly have taxes paid to him ○​ Tax collectors were on William’s pay-roll (direct allegiance) Domesday Book ​ Written record of all subjects in England + their assets (land, livestocks, occupation, etc.) Purpose) Collect data on citizens (track power + tax) -​ In feudal kingdom, king didn’t really know what was going on in certain regions + subjects ​ This is an ‘attempt’ of William I to know what’s going on → Understand key players in villages as absolute monarch ○​ Does anyone have close relations with the catholic church? ○​ Does anyone have the power to rebel? ​ Peasants and serfs are recorded separately on the Domesday book -​ Serfs work for the lord + legally bound to land -​ Peasants are not bound + has freedom to leave ○​ Recording them separately allows King to have a comprehensive view on who has more power to rebel → Serfs are likely more loyal to lord, so King would try to make sure that lord is loyal to him -​ Although serfdom was supposed to be abolished along feudalism, changes don’t always happen quickly → He understood this + continued to check such power ❖​ He needs to check those who had power in the old feudal kingdom → We can assume even after change, someone may still practice manorialism + be loyal to old feudal system Henry II King Henry II (reigns 1154-1189) -​ Blood relative of William I ​ Henry II was determined to maintain ABSOLUTE ​ Under Henry II’s reign, he invades 2 new kingdoms ○​ Scotland, Ireland (England → Great Britain) -​ We can assume he had great army + power ○​ Henry II’s military faced great resistance from Scotland + Ireland → He had great power to successfully annex them → We can also assume that his subjects had great loyalty towards him NEW TAX: based on % of person’s income -​ Under feudalism, the serfs pay taxes ​ Under Henry II, taxes now come from everyone (including the new middle class) → Attempt to ↑ his absolutism -​ Under William I taxes were exempt from rich & high-clergy members ​ Henry II faces tremendous resistance when he tries to tax all, including the catholic church → Eventually becomes all except the church Henry II also ↑ his power by making Royal Charters: ​ Towns can elect official in exchange for paying additional taxes to king ○​ Royal Charter is a legal paper granting powers to individuals -​ However, mayors nearly have no power; “illusion of inclusion”  ​ This makes them feel as if they are a part of making, interpreting, and enforcing the laws though they aren’t ○​ Also, blame does not only go towards the King, but also the mayors → ↓ REBELLIOUS + ↑ COMPLIANCE to laws Common law ​ Law developed by judges through decision of court ​ Precedents) look to past decisions to make decisions → This practice of looking at court precedents became “Common Law” for everyone Absolute monarchy is when there is a single individual in charge of making, interpreting, and enforcing the laws ​ Henry II makes laws, but he delegate people to interpret + enforce laws ​ Henry II makes law universal to all of Great Britain (universal enforcement) -​ Before, laws were made by the lords for their serfs ❖​ Purpose of “Common Law” is to implement uniformity and have ↑ control → Side result is democracy + justice + equality (also how EVERYONE is taxed) ​ Precedent also serve to inspire + maintain the old ways Henry II eventually tries to demote the catholic church -​ Up to this point of history, if clergy members were accused of a crime, church courts were held → Henry II tries to secularize the court ruling + have common law apply to church → Also, get church + clergy members to pay tax (had exceptions) The Magna Carta (1215) ​ Gave nobles certain rights ​ Made King subject to law NO LONGER ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, now LIMITED MONARCHY King John (1199-1216) had poor leadership ​ Tried to ↑ tax on nobles ​ Tried to tax the catholic church → DID NOT LEARN FROM HENRY’S MISTAKE Nobles tries to diminish monarch’s power ❖​ Magna Carta is revolutionary (limit the power of absolute monarch) -​ Limited monarchy can be interchangeable with the Constitution → Constitution: set of laws that build the foundation of a government ​ The power of the Great Council greatly ↑ ○​ “illusion of inclusion” → tangible power Limited monarch suggests cooperation: → Monarch cannot make laws without checking with the legislative body → Legislative body cannot make laws without checking with the monarch The nobles could’ve took John off power + redesigned the monarch -​ However, they did not due to Divine right Monarchy -​ Also, replacement is a temporary solution → There could be rulers like John in the future ​ So, they inherently changed the monarchy structure ❖​ Baby steps to a more inclusive, democratic society Roots of Exploration Imperialism ​ policy of extending rule of an empire or nation over foreign countries/holding colonies dependencies Formal Imperialism) Colonization Colonization is an economic system  ​ European countries often colonized in the New World to exercise Mercantilism → Mercantilism: economic policy where countries aim to ↑ wealth + power by exporting more than they import → Colony: group of people who leave their native country to form settlement in new land, connected to mother country -​ According to definition, there are 2 parties (emmigrants + parent nation) -​ Definition does not recognize indigenous people Spain + Portugal had no separation with the Catholic Church → Used religion to justify their actions in the New World -​ Since natives are barbaric + lack civil society, they are colonizing natives for the better Steps of Mercantilism) 1.​ Gain legal rights over the colonizing country ○​ Often used religion (God’s will) ○​ Justified actions by claiming “doing civilian’s goods” — Savage beast → Law-abiding, cultured, citizens ○​ Charter) legal document where King/Queen lends legal right to take land → Grant themselves the power take over 2.​ Send people from the Mother country with materials to build businesses ○​ Send farming tools, etc. 3.​ Colony send harvested raw materials to mother country 4.​ Colonizing country manufactures raw materials ○​ Export manufactured goods to foreign countries, sell to local citizens, and send some back to colonies Pro Con ​ Colonies can make manufactured goods ​ Colony does not develop themselves ​ Parent nation provides basic necessities ○​ (only ship material to parent nation) ○​ Ensure natives can work in fields ​ Many natives died from harsh working conditions ○​ Also buys any surplus from harvest ○​ Lack of immunity to smallpox ​ Parent nation protects colonies from enemies ​ Lack of freedom Informal Imperialism) → Formal imperialism often leads to informal imperialism Economic Imperialism) ​ Colonizers replace native’s bartering economic system with their economic system → Natives used Spanish currency to trade ​ Using Spanish economy, mother country determines the value + prices ○​ Native’s power to decide values is destroyed ❖​ Purpose was to ensure Mercantilism works as efficiently as possible Cultural Imperialism) ​ Culture is what individuals build their identity upon ○​ In extreme cases, we see complete obliteration of native culture → So important even Ferdinand + Isabella mentioned this in document 1 ​ If natives identify as a part of the mother country, they are more likely to work hard + be law-abiding citizens ○​ Spainards attempted to convert natives to Catholicism ❖​ Purpose was to have “control over every aspect” Motives / goals of exploration 1)​ Economic motive ○​ Gain wealth through trade, gold, spices, and new resources  ○​ Mercantilism: gain wealth by exporting more than importing ○​ Colonies: provided raw materials + new markets for manufactured goods ○​ New trade routes: avoid muslim-controlled routes; seek sea routes to Asia 2)​ Religious motive ○​ Spread Catholicism to natives ○​ Religious justification: framed colonization as a divine mission to civilize + convert natives ○​ Support from Church: Catholic Church endorsed + funded expeditions 3)​ Political motives ○​ National glory: more global power for monarchs ○​ Personal fame, title, wealth ○​ Competition among other European nations Role of Catholic Church in ushering exploration ​ Provided religious justification ​ Funded exploration ​ Sent missionaries Spanish Colonization of the Americas Competition with Portugal Portugal: make trading posts instead of formal colonization ​ Attempts to make a TRADING EMPIRE in Indian Ocean → guarded trade routes by placing naval vessels to protect merchants + ships in trading areas → Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, found a direct sea route to India before Spain ​ Columbus was then hired to compete Portugal (find a different direct route to India) ○​ Spain feared being left behind in the race for wealth + empire ○​ Spain realized Portugal already dominated eastern route to Asia ○​ Columbus gambled by going west → result in the discovery of the New World in 1492 Catholic Church Resolve Competition ​ Pope Alexander VI comes in to resolve competition between Portugal + Spain ​ He declares the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) → Spain has jeopardy on the New World while Portugal has Africa + Asia → However, Portugal pushes Pope to push the line of demarcation ○​ Eventually, Portugal gains access to some land in the New World (Brazil) ​ This opens Portugal to one of the most lucrative land ○​ Brazil dominates the sugar industry ○​ However, when they face attack from Dutch, Brazil goes on hiatus → San Domingue takes over the place of #1 sugar provider Ferdinand and Isabella -​ Married in 1469, uniting the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile to form modern Spain -​ Known as the Catholic Monarchs, they were devout Catholic and used religion as a unifying force. ​ Low tolerance toward religious minorities: ○​ They promoted religious homogeneity (unity through Catholicism). ​ Their religious policies extended to colonies—Christianization of indigenous people was a major goal. ​ Colonization was seen as both a religious mission and a path to wealth. Portugal ​ More tolerant compared to Spain, especially in trading centers. ​ Focused on commerce over conversion — prioritized profit from trade  ​ Allowed local religious practices to continue in many colonies, as long as trade was not disrupted ○​ Religion was still important (Jesuits were active), but economic interests dominated Columbus ​ Italian explorer funded by Spain. ​ Landed in the Caribbean in 1492, believing he reached Asia. → Hispaniola, currently Haiti & Dominican Republic ​ Met the Tainos, the indigenous people of the Caribbean. ○​ When he sees Tainos people snorting Tobacco, he brings some over to Spain ○​ Many european nobles were highly interested in using Tobacco (there was market) → Tobacco $ skyrocketed (makes Spain rich) ​ His arrival marks the start of European colonization of the Americas. Tainos -​ Indigenous people living in the Caribbean. ​ Welcomed Columbus and his men peacefully at first. → Believed Europeans were gods ​ Faced violence, enslavement, and disease after Spanish arrival. ​ Population declined sharply due to brutal treatment and smallpox Social structure of Spanish colonies 1.​ Peninsulares – Born in Spain; highest class; controlled land, wealth, and government. 2.​ Creoles – Born in the Americas to Spanish parents; wealthy but less political power. 3.​ Mestizos – Mixed Spanish and Native ancestry. 4.​ Mulattoes – Mixed Spanish and African ancestry. 5.​ Natives and Enslaved Africans – Bottom of the hierarchy; forced labor. Hernan Cortez ​ Spanish conquistador who invaded Mexico in 1519. → Conquistador: conqueror ​ Defeated the Aztecs by 1521 using: ○​ Superior weapons ○​ Alliances with Aztec enemies ○​ The spread of smallpox, which devastated native populations ​ Captured Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. ​ Established Spanish dominance in Mexico. The Aztecs and their cultural/religious practices ​ Highly advanced civilization in Central Mexico. ​ Polytheistic religion centered on gods of war, sun, and agriculture. ​ Practiced human sacrifice to honor gods and ensure cosmic balance. ​ Built Tenochtitlán, a grand city with temples, markets, and canals. ​ Their wealth and practices were misunderstood and used to justify Spanish conquest.