ap world

What feature of the caravel made sailing against the wind possible

The lateen (triangular) sails allowed better maneuverability and sailing against the wind.

How did the magnetic compass and astrolabe together change sea navigation

The compass provided consistent direction in open sea; the astrolabe (or later sextant) gave latitude, so sailors could navigate farther from coastlines with more confidence.

What was the significance of the sternpost rudder in European ship design

It improved steering and control of the ship in rough sea conditions, borrowed from Chinese shipbuilding; thus enabling larger ocean-going vessels.

Which European country first developed a systematic school for navigational science in the 15th century, and what was one outcome of this school

Portugal, under Prince Henry the Navigator, developed navigation, mapmaking, and exploration techniques; one outcome was the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and sea route to India.

Why did the development of larger cargo ships like the fluyt matter for empire building

They allowed greater volume of goods (and often fewer crew), which lowered transport cost and increased profit, enabling states to support and sustain overseas colonies and trade networks.

What were the three primary motives (often summarized as "Gold, God, and Glory") behind European exploration

Gold (economic/luxury goods), God (spreading Christianity, missionary zeal), and Glory (national rivalry, status, power).

How did the fall of Constantinople in 1453 indirectly encourage European maritime exploration

With the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, land routes to Asia were disrupted, driving Europeans to seek new sea routes to the East (spices, silks).

What role did the treaty known as the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) play in European exploration

It divided the non-European world between Spain and Portugal (via a line of demarcation) for colonization and exploration rights, reducing conflict between the two and structuring empire building.

Name one major event of European exploration between 1450

1750 and its significance. - Vasco da Gama's voyage (1497-1499) reached India by sea, establishing a direct European route to Asian spice markets, shifting trade power to Europe.

How did mercantilist economic thinking influence European states' decisions to explore

Mercantilism—belief that a nation's wealth was finite and that colonies existed to supply raw materials and buy finished goods—motivated states to establish overseas colonies and trade monopolies.

What is the definition of the Columbian Exchange?

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, peoples (including enslaved Africans), cultures, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia after 1492.

List two plants that moved from the Americas to Afro

Eurasia and describe one effect. - Potatoes and maize. Effect: They contributed to population growth in Europe because of high caloric yield and adaptability to different soils.

Name one animal species introduced from Europe to the Americas and describe its impact.

Horses. Impact: Transformed Indigenous societies on the Great Plains by improving mobility and hunting, altering cultures and economies.

What was one major devastating disease transmitted to the Americas, and what was its effect?

Smallpox. Effect: Massive decline of Indigenous populations (sometimes 50-90 %), which undermined resistance to European colonizers and caused social collapse.

How did the Columbian Exchange contribute to the Atlantic slave trade?

The demand for labor in the Americas (especially plantations growing sugar, tobacco) rose after Indigenous populations collapsed; African slaves were transported to fill labor needs, linking continents economically and demographically.

What are the two most essential elements of a strong DBQ thesis

Clear, specific claim that addresses the prompt, and (2) A roadmap of at least three distinct analytic points that guide the essay.

In DBQ scoring, how many documents must you use to earn the document use point (assuming standard AP rubric)

At least 6 documents (out of typically 7) and you must both use them and analyze them (not simply summarize).

What does "contextualization" mean in a DBQ, and where is it placed

It means situating the prompt in broader historical developments (e.g., prior events or conditions) and it is placed in the introduction (first paragraph) or early in the essay.

What is "outside evidence" in a DBQ and how many points can it earn

Outside evidence is relevant historical fact not present in the documents; properly used it earns 1 point under the AP rubric.

Why is analyzing the point of view (POV) of a document important in a DBQ?

Because it shows understanding of the author's perspective, bias, purpose, or context, which strengthens your use of the document in your argument.

Why were caravels superior to earlier European ships?

Because their lateen sails let them sail against the wind and their lightweight hull made long-distance ocean travel faster and safer.

How did the astrolabe help European explorers?

It allowed sailors to determine their latitude by measuring the angle of stars, making open-ocean navigation more accurate.

Why was the magnetic compass revolutionary for exploration?

Because it gave sailors a reliable fixed direction (north) even when clouds blocked the sky, reducing guesswork at sea.

What made the sternpost rudder important for maritime empires?

It improved steering ability, allowing larger ships to maneuver better in rough waters.

How did improved cartography affect European expansion?

Better maps gave explorers confidence in long voyages and helped states plan trade routes and claim overseas territories.

What does "Gold" represent in the 3 G's?

The desire for wealth from spices, gold, silver, and new trade routes that bypassed Ottoman-controlled land routes.

Why did "God" motivate European exploration?

Because rulers and missionaries hoped to spread Christianity, especially during the Catholic/Protestant rivalry.

How did "Glory" influence European exploration?

Nations competed to enhance power, prestige, and status through territorial claims and global influence.

Why did the fall of Constantinople push Europeans to explore?

Because Ottoman control of the Silk Road forced Europeans to search for alternative ocean routes to Asia.

How did advancements in shipbuilding encourage exploration?

New ships like caravels and improved navigation tools made voyages safer, cheaper, and more predictable.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The massive transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the Old World and the New World after 1492.

Why did European diseases devastate Indigenous populations?

Because Indigenous Americans had no immunity to Old World diseases like smallpox, leading to catastrophic mortality rates.

What were two New World crops that transformed Afro

Eurasian diets? - Potatoes and maize, both of which increased population growth due to high calories and resilience.

How did the introduction of horses change Native American life?

Horses improved hunting, warfare, and mobility, especially among Plains Indigenous groups.

Why did the Columbian Exchange increase the demand for enslaved Africans?

Because Indigenous labor systems collapsed after disease, plantation agriculture needed a new labor source.

Why is writing a clear thesis important in a DBQ?

Because it gives the essay a focused argument and sets up the main claims that the evidence will support.

Why is using 6 documents correctly essential?

Because the DBQ rubric requires using most of the documents to earn core points and demonstrate argument mastery.

Why is HIPP analysis important for document evaluation?

Because explaining a document's historical situation, intended audience, purpose, or point of view shows deeper understanding of its value and limits.

What makes contextualization worth a guaranteed point?

It places the argument in a broader historical background, proving the writer understands the bigger picture.

Why do DBQs require outside evidence?

Because it shows you can bring in relevant historical knowledge beyond the documents to strengthen your argument.

What was one major reason Europeans were able to dominate Indian Ocean trade by the 1600s?

Their advanced maritime technologies and heavily armed ships allowed them to overpower existing Muslim and Asian merchant networks.

Why did European states want colonies under mercantilism?

Because colonies supplied raw materials and bought manufactured goods, enriching the mother country.

What crop from the Americas became essential in Ireland?

The potato, which fueled population growth due to its high caloric value.

What animal introduced by Europeans caused major ecological disruption in the Americas?

Pigs, which reproduced rapidly and destroyed Indigenous crops.

Why is analyzing POV of a document important in a DBQ?

Because it shows understanding of the author's perspective, bias, purpose, or context, which strengthens your use of the document in the argument.