SST Colonisation EOYT Grade 8

What were the 3 motivations for exploration?

1. The European nation was looking to access trade without going through the Italian trade route & without going into the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Spices in Europe were in demand, and since the Ottomans shut down the 'Silk Road', there was a search for spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, peppers, cloves) -> spice countries (Asia, Indonesia, India).

3. They wanted to convert more people to Christianity. (On the voyages, they brought Christian missionaries who stayed on the newly discovered lands to create schools & communities.)

What were the 3 technological developments that made longer journey by sea possible?

1. Improved ships: In 1500, explorers sailed in light, fast ships; large enough to hold provisions for long voyages. & had cannons & company marines for self-defence against pirates. (Modified ship called caravel, it is fast & easy to manoeuvre in different winds & sea conditions.)

2. New tools for Exploration: Gerardus Mercator invented the map that could project the curved surface of the globe onto a page, Marcato projections are still used today.

3. Advances in Navigation: The magnetic compass was a common navigation tool. & Navigators also used an astrolabe which determined the ship's north-south position based on measurements of the stars. These tools allowed sailors to navigate without being close to land.

 

 

Name various (1-2) breakthrough journeys by key figures and their connection to trade.

A) Magellan's Voyage: He launched an ambitious voyage & discovered the channel that led to the Pacific Ocean, it is now called "the Straight of Magelland". The significance of this channel is that it confirmed that there was a southwest passage to Asia & confirmed the conception of the world as a globe. He set out with over 250 crewmembers and finished with only 18 (many crewmembers died of starvation), after circumnavigating, or sailing completely around, the world. The trade route he discovered is an important trading route between the East & West.

B) Columbus & his sails West: He discovered the Bahamas -> he died believing this was the gateway to Asia. His arrival to the Bahamas encourages European exploration of the New World. Trade was soon established between Europe & the Americas (such as potatoes, tomatoes & tabacco).

Briefly, talk about the Spanish conquest of the Americas and the processes of colonization. (Military superiority, Alliances, Political manoeuvring, Disease, Religious conversion, Economic exploitation)

1) Military Superiority: The Spanish had advanced weaponry and tactics compared to the native peoples they encountered, which often led to quick victories in battles.

2) Alliances: They exploited existing rivalries and alliances among native groups. (Cortés allied with enemies of the Aztecs, gaining thousands of native warriors to help defeat the Aztec Empire.)

3) Political Maneuvering: Conquistadors often captured or deposed native leaders, such as Moctezuma of the Aztecs and Atahualpa of the Incas, to weaken resistance and install puppet rulers who would collaborate with Spanish interests.

4) Disease: Diseases like smallpox, brought inadvertently by Europeans, devastated native populations who had no immunity, leading to social disarray and weakened resistance.

5) Religious Conversion: The Spanish forcibly converted many natives to Christianity, using religion as a tool of cultural dominance and control.

6) Economic Exploitation: They exploited native labor and resources for economic gain, establishing systems that prioritized the extraction of wealth for the colonial power.

What were the 4 reasons behind the success of the Europeans?

1) Their technological superiority, including advanced weaponry like iron steel swords (rapier was a famous sword; strong, flexible), guns/firearm (sound, look and smell made it intimidating for indigenous).

2) Their use of effective military tactics, such as cavalry charges and disciplined formations along with surpise attacks.

3) Their ability to communicate and coordinate through writing.

4) The biological advantage of immunity to diseases like smallpox (which devastated indigenous populations) played important roles in the Europeans success.

What were the factors that led to the defeat of the indigenous empires? (5 factors)

-Lack of comparable technology and weapons. (Guns were intimidating because of their sound, look & smell and they didn’t have rapier swords which were strong, flexible made of steel-iron+carbon.

-Vulnerability to European

-introduced diseases .

-Fragmented societal structures (indigenous groups were divided and not united, making it harder for them to fight together against European invaders).

-Geographic barriers (natural obstacles, mountains, rivers - make travel/ communication difficult.)

-Absence of domesticated animals for transportation .

Briefly describe the general understanding of the process of colonisation

Colonies served as cheap supply for raw materials e.g. spices, timber, sugar, gold, rice. And a market to sell finished goods e.g. guns, furniture.European countries used their colonies to gather resources and sell products, while restricting their trade to benefit themselves. This system brought wealth to the home countries but kept the colonies dependent and limited their economic growth.

How did the colonization of the Americas lead to a global exchange of goods, people and ideas?

Columbus's voyages connected the Americas with the rest of the world, leading to the exchange of people, plants, animals, diseases, and ideas from the Eastern & Western Hemispheres.

Identify the 4 resources traded in the Columbian Exchange New crops/ foods, animals, diseases & technology were traded. What impacts did the Columbian Exchange have on influencing cultures of the Western and Eastern hemispheres? (influence of new crops, new foods)

A) New Crops, New Foods: 1. American Crops: A) Maize (corn) -> corn harvests led to population increase in Africa & Asia.

B)Peanuts -> became a staple crop in Africa. Adding protein to food or being pressed for cooking oil. Others include potatoes, manioc, beans, & tomatoes.

2. Eastern hemisphere crops in America: Sugar cane, became a major profit source. Alongside rye, rice, grapes, bananas, & coffee; that changed America (Western hemisphere).

What impacts did the Columbian Exchange have on influencing cultures of the Western and Eastern hemispheres?(influence of new animals)

B) Animals: · Introduction of Animals: Columbus's second voyage brought horses, chickens, cows, pigs, and goats to the Americas. Horses significantly impacted Native American cultures, shifting some from farming to buffalo hunting. Also influenced warfare with the use of horses & European guns

What impacts did the Columbian Exchange have on influencing cultures of the Western and Eastern hemispheres? (influence of new diseases)

C) Diseases: · European diseases devastated Native American populations, while sailors brought back new diseases to Europe from the Americas.

What impacts did the Columbian Exchange have on influencing the cultures of the Western and Eastern hemispheres? (influence of technology exchange)

D) Technology Exchange: Sword, iron, language, ·Aztecs & Incas constructed massive stone buildings that could withstand earthquakes due to advanced methods of carving stone. -> which fascinated Spaniards.

What is Triangular trade?

A trade system: -Europe supplied Africa and the Americas with finished goods. -The Americas supplied Europe and Africa with raw materials. -Africa supplied the Americas with enslaved labourers. Mercantilism suggested that a nation's power relied on exporting more than importing to maintain a good trade balance. (process of transformation) -Raw materials = timber, sugar, tobacco, ivory, gold, rice, furs, etc. -Finished goods = guns, beer, iron, furniture, etc

Columbian exchange east to west

-Crops and Plants

-Technologies and Practices

-Ideas and Cultural Practices

Crops and Plants

Wheat

Rice

Sugarcane

Coffee

Bananas

Citrus Fruits

Other Crops: Barley, oats, rye, apples, pears, peaches, and various vegetables.

Animals

Horses

Cattle

Pigs

Sheep

Goats

Chickens

Technologies and Practices

Metalworking: Advanced iron and steel production.

Agricultural Practices: Plowing with animals, crop rotation, and new irrigation techniques.

Domesticated Animals: Use of animals for labor, such as horses and oxen.

Shipbuilding and Navigation: Advanced maritime technology and navigation techniques.

Written Language and Printing: Spread of literacy and printing technology.

Architecture: European architectural styles and construction techniques.

Legal and Political Systems: European legal frameworks and governance models.

The Wheel: Practical uses for transportation and machinery.

Ideas and Cultural Practices

Religion: Christianity and its institutions.

Education: European education systems and institutions.

Scientific Knowledge: Advances in science and medicine.

Clothing and Textiles: Introduction of European fabrics, clothing styles, and weaving techniques.

Additional Items

Firearms and Gunpowder: Transforming warfare and hunting practices.

Alcohol: Introduction of distilled spirits such as brandy and whiskey.

Iron Tools: Including plows, hoes, and other agricultural implements.

Music and Musical Instruments: European musical styles and instruments.