Kami Export - Wood Hemispheres United Complete
HEMISPHERES UNITED
1. Early Maritime Travel
By 1450, extensive sea travel had been established across various civilizations, significantly enhancing trade and cultural exchanges. Early travel predominantly occurred via rivers, especially in river valley civilizations, showcasing the importance of waterways in facilitating movement and commerce.
Civilizations involved:
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans: Regularly traveled the Mediterranean from 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., establishing trading posts which contributed to the spread of culture and goods, such as wine, olive oil, and metals.
Chinese Junks and Dhows: Dominated Indian Ocean trade, enhancing the exchange of spices, textiles, and other valuable commodities. The robust design of junks allowed for long-distance voyages, significantly influencing trade networks.
600-1450 A.C.E.: This period saw increased trade with the development of canals in China, notably the Grand Canal, which facilitated the movement of goods and boosted economic activities.
Polynesian Navigation: Expert navigators explored and settled vast maritime areas, including the East Indies and Easter Island, using sophisticated techniques such as the observation of stars and ocean currents.
Scandinavian Ventures: Norse explorers, most famously Leif Erikson, made contact with North America as early as the 10th century, though their settlements (e.g., Vinland) proved ephemeral.
In the Americas: By 1000 C.E., Arawak and Carib tribes were managing trade routes in the Caribbean, and by 1500, they had reached the North American mainland, evidenced by archaeological findings of trade interactions.
2. Zheng He’s Voyages (1405-1433)
Zheng He was a Chinese Muslim admiral commissioned by Ming Emperor Yongle to lead an extraordinary fleet on maritime expeditions aimed at extending Chinese influence and establishing trade relations.
Significance of Voyages:
His missions were aimed to assert Chinese power following the Mongol-dominated Yuan Dynasty, showcasing the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty.
Zheng He’s fleet delivered tribute and impressive gifts to foreign lands, enhancing diplomatic relations and establishing China as a predominant trading power in the region.
Fleet Characteristics:
The fleet comprised up to 317 vessels and 28,000 men, including large treasure ships designed to carry substantial cargo.
They navigated to Southeast Asia, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa, establishing new trade links and influencing regional politics.
Notable Outcomes:
Upon return, Zheng He brought exotic items such as a giraffe, symbolizing the diversity of trade and cultural exchange.
The cessation of these voyages after Yongle's death raises speculation about potential alternative historical developments, including the possibility of earlier European contact with the Americas.
3. European Maritime Exploration
3.1. Portuguese and Spanish Voyages
The first major wave of European explorers were from Portugal and Spain, profoundly altering global trade networks.
Motivations:
Economic interests, fierce rivalries, and religious zeal for spreading Christianity drove the exploration efforts. Both nations aimed to discover new trade routes, particularly to Asia, to capitalize on the lucrative spice trade.
Henry the Navigator:
Established a navigation school that advanced maritime technology, including the development of cartography and navigation instruments, significantly improving sea travel efficiency.
Caravel:
This innovative ship design combined square and lateen sails, allowing for increased speed and maneuverability, which became popular among explorers.
Pedro Cabral:
In 1500, he accidentally claimed Brazil for Portugal, altering the course of Brazilian history and eventually leading to the colonization by the Portuguese.
3.2. Spanish Exploration and the Treaty of Tordesillas
Christopher Columbus: In 1492, he sailed westward, aiming for Asia, but mistakenly discovered the Americas, sparking widespread exploration and colonization by European powers.
The subsequent conflict between Spain and Portugal over territorial claims compelled the need for the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), which divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, giving Spain most of the Americas and Portugal territories in Africa and Asia.
Ferdinand Magellan: Initiated the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1519, further establishing the significance of maritime exploration in global trade.
4. Spanish Conquests in the Americas
4.1. Conquest of the Aztecs
Hernán Cortés: Led an expedition into Mexico capitalizing on existing local discontent against Aztec rule. Cortés formed alliances with rival tribes, such as the Tlaxcalans, to mount a successful invasion.
Moctezuma II: The Aztec emperor initially welcomed Cortés, mistaking him for a god. This ultimately led to his capture and the subsequent fall of Tenochtitlán.
Factors in the Conquest:
Internal divisions and dissent among the Aztecs weakened their defense.
The introduction of diseases such as smallpox decimated the indigenous population, which was not immune to such pathogens, creating a demographic vacuum.
Superior Spanish weaponry and military tactics, including cavalry and firearms, overwhelmed the Aztec forces.
4.2. Conquest of the Incas
Francisco Pizarro: Captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa in 1532, taking advantage of the empire's instability following a civil war. Utilizing similar strategies as Cortés, Pizarro exploited internal divisions within the Inca society.
These conquests led to the swift establishment of Spanish control over large territories in South America, significantly impacting indigenous cultures.
5. Colonial Administration in Latin America
5.1. Government Structure
The establishment of viceroyalties (e.g., New Spain, Peru) represented the king's authority, governed by appointed viceroys who held absolute power over local affairs, starkly contrasting the governance seen in North America.
Authoritarian systems with bureaucracies were common, lacking local assemblies, which further centralized control and decision-making.
5.2. Religion and Society
Catholic missionaries, especially Jesuits and Franciscans, played a dual role: they aimed to convert indigenous populations and often actively defended their rights against exploitation.
The exploitative systems led to local uprisings as populations resisted the imposition of foreign rule and cultural influences.
6. The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange dramatically transformed global networks through biological, cultural, and commercial exchanges.
Profound Impacts:
Demographic Changes: Massive death rates among Amerindians due to diseases (e.g., smallpox, measles) introduced by Europeans, resulting in significant societal upheaval.
Positive Aspects: Increased agricultural diversity worldwide and improved global food security. The introduction of livestock and crops – notably potatoes, maize, and tomatoes to Europe – revolutionized diets on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to population growth in Europe.
7. Economic Patterns and the Atlantic Economy
7.1. The Great Circuit
The Great Circuit fostered a triangular trade system connecting Africa, the Americas, and Europe, setting the stage for modern economy models.
Slave Trade:
Integral to the new economic structures; demand for labor on plantations outstripped the native population, leading to the tragic Middle Passage, where millions of Africans were shipped across the Atlantic to work in brutal conditions in the New World.
Mercantilism:
Economic policies were advocated that benefitted mother countries through controlled trade routes. Colonies were viewed primarily as sources of wealth.
8. Societal Structure and Relations in the Colonies
8.1. Social Hierarchies
A complex social hierarchy emerged based on ethnicity, placing Peninsulares (Spanish-born) at the top, followed by Creoles (New World-born Spaniards), Mestizos (mixed ancestry), and Mulattos (of European and African descent).
In contrast, North American colonies featured less rigid social classes, due in part to a more homogeneous English settler population, allowing for more social mobility.
8.2. Native Relations
Relations with indigenous populations varied significantly: in some regions, there was displacement and violence; in others, there were economic collaborations, notably in the fur trade in French colonies, indicating a complex landscape of interactions.
Kami Export - Wood Hemispheres United Complete
HEMISPHERES UNITED
1. Early Maritime Travel
By 1450, extensive sea travel had been established across various civilizations, significantly enhancing trade and cultural exchanges. Early travel predominantly occurred via rivers, especially in river valley civilizations, showcasing the importance of waterways in facilitating movement and commerce.
Civilizations involved:
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans: Regularly traveled the Mediterranean from 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., establishing trading posts which contributed to the spread of culture and goods, such as wine, olive oil, and metals.
Chinese Junks and Dhows: Dominated Indian Ocean trade, enhancing the exchange of spices, textiles, and other valuable commodities. The robust design of junks allowed for long-distance voyages, significantly influencing trade networks.
600-1450 A.C.E.: This period saw increased trade with the development of canals in China, notably the Grand Canal, which facilitated the movement of goods and boosted economic activities.
Polynesian Navigation: Expert navigators explored and settled vast maritime areas, including the East Indies and Easter Island, using sophisticated techniques such as the observation of stars and ocean currents.
Scandinavian Ventures: Norse explorers, most famously Leif Erikson, made contact with North America as early as the 10th century, though their settlements (e.g., Vinland) proved ephemeral.
In the Americas: By 1000 C.E., Arawak and Carib tribes were managing trade routes in the Caribbean, and by 1500, they had reached the North American mainland, evidenced by archaeological findings of trade interactions.
2. Zheng He’s Voyages (1405-1433)
Zheng He was a Chinese Muslim admiral commissioned by Ming Emperor Yongle to lead an extraordinary fleet on maritime expeditions aimed at extending Chinese influence and establishing trade relations.
Significance of Voyages:
His missions were aimed to assert Chinese power following the Mongol-dominated Yuan Dynasty, showcasing the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty.
Zheng He’s fleet delivered tribute and impressive gifts to foreign lands, enhancing diplomatic relations and establishing China as a predominant trading power in the region.
Fleet Characteristics:
The fleet comprised up to 317 vessels and 28,000 men, including large treasure ships designed to carry substantial cargo.
They navigated to Southeast Asia, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa, establishing new trade links and influencing regional politics.
Notable Outcomes:
Upon return, Zheng He brought exotic items such as a giraffe, symbolizing the diversity of trade and cultural exchange.
The cessation of these voyages after Yongle's death raises speculation about potential alternative historical developments, including the possibility of earlier European contact with the Americas.
3. European Maritime Exploration
3.1. Portuguese and Spanish Voyages
The first major wave of European explorers were from Portugal and Spain, profoundly altering global trade networks.
Motivations:
Economic interests, fierce rivalries, and religious zeal for spreading Christianity drove the exploration efforts. Both nations aimed to discover new trade routes, particularly to Asia, to capitalize on the lucrative spice trade.
Henry the Navigator:
Established a navigation school that advanced maritime technology, including the development of cartography and navigation instruments, significantly improving sea travel efficiency.
Caravel:
This innovative ship design combined square and lateen sails, allowing for increased speed and maneuverability, which became popular among explorers.
Pedro Cabral:
In 1500, he accidentally claimed Brazil for Portugal, altering the course of Brazilian history and eventually leading to the colonization by the Portuguese.
3.2. Spanish Exploration and the Treaty of Tordesillas
Christopher Columbus: In 1492, he sailed westward, aiming for Asia, but mistakenly discovered the Americas, sparking widespread exploration and colonization by European powers.
The subsequent conflict between Spain and Portugal over territorial claims compelled the need for the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), which divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, giving Spain most of the Americas and Portugal territories in Africa and Asia.
Ferdinand Magellan: Initiated the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1519, further establishing the significance of maritime exploration in global trade.
4. Spanish Conquests in the Americas
4.1. Conquest of the Aztecs
Hernán Cortés: Led an expedition into Mexico capitalizing on existing local discontent against Aztec rule. Cortés formed alliances with rival tribes, such as the Tlaxcalans, to mount a successful invasion.
Moctezuma II: The Aztec emperor initially welcomed Cortés, mistaking him for a god. This ultimately led to his capture and the subsequent fall of Tenochtitlán.
Factors in the Conquest:
Internal divisions and dissent among the Aztecs weakened their defense.
The introduction of diseases such as smallpox decimated the indigenous population, which was not immune to such pathogens, creating a demographic vacuum.
Superior Spanish weaponry and military tactics, including cavalry and firearms, overwhelmed the Aztec forces.
4.2. Conquest of the Incas
Francisco Pizarro: Captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa in 1532, taking advantage of the empire's instability following a civil war. Utilizing similar strategies as Cortés, Pizarro exploited internal divisions within the Inca society.
These conquests led to the swift establishment of Spanish control over large territories in South America, significantly impacting indigenous cultures.
5. Colonial Administration in Latin America
5.1. Government Structure
The establishment of viceroyalties (e.g., New Spain, Peru) represented the king's authority, governed by appointed viceroys who held absolute power over local affairs, starkly contrasting the governance seen in North America.
Authoritarian systems with bureaucracies were common, lacking local assemblies, which further centralized control and decision-making.
5.2. Religion and Society
Catholic missionaries, especially Jesuits and Franciscans, played a dual role: they aimed to convert indigenous populations and often actively defended their rights against exploitation.
The exploitative systems led to local uprisings as populations resisted the imposition of foreign rule and cultural influences.
6. The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange dramatically transformed global networks through biological, cultural, and commercial exchanges.
Profound Impacts:
Demographic Changes: Massive death rates among Amerindians due to diseases (e.g., smallpox, measles) introduced by Europeans, resulting in significant societal upheaval.
Positive Aspects: Increased agricultural diversity worldwide and improved global food security. The introduction of livestock and crops – notably potatoes, maize, and tomatoes to Europe – revolutionized diets on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to population growth in Europe.
7. Economic Patterns and the Atlantic Economy
7.1. The Great Circuit
The Great Circuit fostered a triangular trade system connecting Africa, the Americas, and Europe, setting the stage for modern economy models.
Slave Trade:
Integral to the new economic structures; demand for labor on plantations outstripped the native population, leading to the tragic Middle Passage, where millions of Africans were shipped across the Atlantic to work in brutal conditions in the New World.
Mercantilism:
Economic policies were advocated that benefitted mother countries through controlled trade routes. Colonies were viewed primarily as sources of wealth.
8. Societal Structure and Relations in the Colonies
8.1. Social Hierarchies
A complex social hierarchy emerged based on ethnicity, placing Peninsulares (Spanish-born) at the top, followed by Creoles (New World-born Spaniards), Mestizos (mixed ancestry), and Mulattos (of European and African descent).
In contrast, North American colonies featured less rigid social classes, due in part to a more homogeneous English settler population, allowing for more social mobility.
8.2. Native Relations
Relations with indigenous populations varied significantly: in some regions, there was displacement and violence; in others, there were economic collaborations, notably in the fur trade in French colonies, indicating a complex landscape of interactions.
