Trading Post Empires
Portugal established a massive trading post empire, and had a huge impact on this country. Even today, they still have Portuguese elements in their culture, such as Rio de Janeiro.
What is Brazil?
I circumnavigated the globe! Well, technically, I didn't. But my crew did! Basically the same thing!
Who was Magellan?
This technology, originally developed by the Song dynasty, spread to Europe and helped them see their true north: maritime exploration!
What is a compass?
The people that conquered the collapsing Ming dynasty.
Who were the Manchus?
Crops like coffee and cacao that spread from the New World to the Old World as luxury goods and made a lot of money.
What were Cash Crops?
The British also established a trading post empire, but focused more on colonial power, especially with these famous colonies.
What were the 13 American colonies?
Technically, I never got on a boat. But I founded a prestigious school of navigation in Portugal! #lifegoals
Who was Prince Henry the Navigator
This technology, also invented by the Song Dynasty, spread to Europe and allowed sailors to tell time from the stars.
What is the astrolabe?
The Manchus exhibited systematic discrimination against this ethnic group, namely by barring them from high government positions and forcing men of this ethnicity to wear traditional Manchu hairstyles.
Who were the Han? (the ethnically Chinese)
The name for the mass wipeout of New World indigenous populations (around 90%!)
What was the Great Dying?
Japan was practicing isolationism during this time to keep out the "barbarian" Portuguese, but they did let this state trade with them.
Who were the Dutch?
People say I never actually found India. (Which they're totally wrong about). But I for sure kicked off an exchange of goods and ideas from the Old World to the New World! (wherever that is)
Who was Christopher Columbus?
The British and Dutch employed the use of these "Medieval insurance companies" to pool financial resources and fund maritime exploration.
What were joint-stock companies?
To keep out foreign influence, the Chinese (along with the Japanese) practiced this policy.
Many Africans were forced to migrate to the New World because of this brutal economic system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
What was the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?
The economic ideology that drove maritime expansion in Europe during this time.
What is Mercantilism?
I conquered both the Mexica and the Inca! Not only that, but my conquistadors turned the Mita system into exploration of labor and used it to mine tons and tons of silver! God, Gold, and Glory, baby!
Who was Cortes?
The new kind of triangular sail that spread from the Middle East. (The name comes from the word "Latin")
What are lateen sails?
In order to gain favor with the Han, the Qing Dynasty promoted this ancient Chinese philosophy and way of life.
What is Confucianism?
This crop was introduced to Ireland from the Americas, and vastly improved food supply for the poorer class of people. (And then later sparked a massive famine)
What are potatoes?
Rather than compete for an Indian Ocean trading post empire, the French chose to go to North America and participate in this lucrative business rather than going for silver accumulation.
What is the fur trade?
Okay, so maybe I spent half my life searching for the fountain of youth, which I never did find. But I did lead successful voyages into Puerto Rico and Florida! That's an accomplishment!
Who was Ponce de Leon?
A Dutch flat-bottomed vessel used for exploration, defense, and trade.
What is a fluyt?
In order to repress anti-Manchu thoughts, the Qing Dynasty practiced this kind of censorship, involving a very Fahrenheit 451 style of knowledge destruction.
What is a literary inquisition?
Essentially the only disease that the New World spread to the Old World, this disease spread from sailors coming from the New World back to the Old World.
What is Syphilis?