Unit 4: The First Global Age (1450-1770)

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Unit 4The First Global Age (1450-1770)

• Global History II Review

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Mesoamerican Civilizations

• Geography
• Central America
• Mayans
• Farming and trade were important
• Maize was a staple crop
• Polytheistic beliefs- made human sacrifices
• Established social hierarchy
• Contributions Pyramids, farming, calendar

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Mesoamerican Civilizations

• Aztecs
• Expanded through military conquest
• Established social hierarchy
• Polytheistic beliefs- made human sacrifices
• Contributions Calendar, floating gardens
• Incas
• Centralized and efficient government
• Build roads to link empire through Andes Mts.
• Terrace farming (cut into mountain side)

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Ming Dynasty in China

• Restoration of Chinese Rule
• Middle Kingdom- belief China was the center of
  the earth and source of civilization
• Government reforms revived ideas of Confucius and
  Civil Service System
• Contributions
• Improved food production
• Repaired canals and expanded trade network
• Porcelain

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Ming Dynasty in China

• China and the West
• Europeans were very interested in China but China
  felt Europe was inferior
• Impact on Asia
• Korea Civil Service, porcelain, writing
• Japan Buddhism, art, writing, technology
• SEA Religion, civil service system

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Ottoman Empire

• Rise of Ottoman Empire (1400s)
• 1453 conquered Constantinople and expanded around
  ME/ Mediterranean Sea
• Expanded from superior military technology
• Europeans seek new trade routes
• Ottomans disrupted European trade
• Europeans searched for routes around ME

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Ottoman Empire

• Lasting Achievements and Impact
• Absorbed Byzantine influences
• Suleiman gave laws to the people
• Diverse population and tolerance
• Built mosques and practiced Islam
• Decline of Ottoman Empire
• Internal disorder- government corruption
• European advancements ahead of Turks
• Loss in World War I

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Exploration and Imperialism

• Eve of Exploration
• Reconquista Spanish conquest of Muslim Sp.
• Brutal attacks by Christians on Muslims and Jews
• Europeans sought Spices from Asia and sought
  routes other than through the ME
• New Technologies
• Printing press, gunpowder, better maps,
  astrolabe

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Exploration and Imperialism

• Early Explorations and Encounters
• Exploration of Africa and Asia
• Vasco Da Gama reaches India
• Columbus reaches the Americas
• Wanted to find an alternative route to India
• Europeans compete for Colonies
• Imperialism in Africa- divided up continent
• Imperialism in Asia- trade posts set up in Asia
• Colonies like India (Britain) became important

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Exploration and Imperialism

• Europeans compete for Colonies
• Imperialism in the Americas
• Spanish conquistadors conquered civilizations
• Defeated Aztecs and Inca and established colonies
• Established the encomienda system
• Triangular Trade and Slavery
• Africans were taken as slaves to work in the
  Americas after the native populations died

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Exploration and Imperialism

• Spanish Empire
• Developed encomeinda system using slaves
• Catholic Church was influential
• Social class structure
• Peninsulars Creoles were on top
• Columbian Exchange
• Resources from old and new worlds were introduced
  to new environments
• Mercantilism-policy of gaining as much wealth as
  possible for the colonial powers from its colonies

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Absolutism and the Puritans

• Global Absolutism
• Absolutism- autocratic rulers had complete power
  to rule over the government and people
• Divine Right- king rules by the will of God
• Examples Philip II, Louis XIV, Peter the Great
• Reaction to Absolutism in England
• Issues between ruler and people (parliament)
• English Civil War is fought between the Puritans
  and the Crown
• Glorious Revolution non-violent overthrow of the
  English King
• English Bill of Rights
• Provides for a limited (constitutional) monarchy
• Provides for basic rights to the people of England