European EXPLORATION and EMPIRE-BUILDING [AP Euro, Unit 1 Topic 6 (1.6)]

Summary

This video explores the motivations behind European colonization and empire-building from 1450 to 1648. The classic reasons—gold, god, and glory—are examined through the lens of mercantilism, the economic system driving the quest for wealth. Colonies were seen as a means to accumulate gold and silver, while also providing raw materials for trade. The script discusses the influence of the Catholic and Protestant churches in spreading Christianity, and the competitive drive for glory among European states. Technological advancements in cartography, shipbuilding, and navigational instruments facilitated the establishment of maritime empires.

Takeaways

• 🏴‍☠️ European exploration and colonization from 1450 to 1648 was driven by the pursuit of wealth, religious expansion, and the quest for glory.
• 💰 The economic system of mercantilism, prevalent in Europe during this period, emphasized the accumulation of wealth, particularly gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade.
• 🌍 Mercantilism led to the establishment of colonies as a means to acquire more gold and silver, as well as to provide raw materials for trade and industry back in the imperial state.
• 🛳️ Technological advancements in shipbuilding, such as the development of the caravel, and improvements in navigational instruments like the magnetic compass and astrolabe, facilitated maritime exploration.
• 📚 The influence of the Catholic Church and later the Protestant Church was significant, with the spread of Christianity serving as a motivation for exploration and a tool for control over indigenous peoples.
• 🛍️ European demand for luxury goods from Asia, such as porcelain, spices, and tea, was a driving factor, as the high prices due to Ottoman control of land routes necessitated the search for sea routes.
• 🗺️ Advances in cartography resulted in more detailed and accurate maps, which were made widely accessible through the printing press, aiding in navigation and exploration.
• 🛃 Jean-Baptiste Colbert's mercantilist policies in France, including the abolition of domestic tariffs and the imposition of steep tariffs on imported goods, exemplify the economic strategies of the time.
• 🏛️ The Reconquista and the Protestant Reformation influenced Spain's motivation to spread Catholicism and assert its dominance over Protestantism through exploration and colonization.
• 🌐 The concept of glory and state power competition led European nations to establish empires as a means to score points in the global power hierarchy.
• 🏝️ The European empires that emerged were maritime in nature, relying on sea-based trade and colonization, which required new technologies and strategies for success.

Q & A

What was the time period of European exploration and empire building discussed in the video?

The video discusses the period from 1450 to 1648.

What were the classic reasons given for Europeans to explore and establish colonies?

The classic reasons were gold, god, and glory.

What economic system was dominant in Europe during the time of exploration and how did it influence exploration?

Mercantilism was the dominant economic system, which saw the world's wealth as a fixed pie and motivated states to acquire more gold and silver by maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

How did colonies contribute to a state's wealth according to mercantilism?

Colonies provided raw materials that could be shipped back to the imperial state, made into goods, and sold back to the colonial people, thereby bringing gold back to the state.

Who was Jean-Baptiste Colbert and what was his role in French mercantilist policy?

Jean-Baptiste Colbert was France's Controller General and a key figure in implementing mercantilist policies, such as abolishing domestic tariffs and enacting steep tariffs on imported goods to promote French industry.

What was the European demand for luxury goods from Asia and how did it influence exploration?

European elites craved luxury goods like porcelain, spices, and tea from the East. The high prices due to Ottoman control of land routes motivated European states to find sea routes to Asia for direct trade.

How did the influence of the Catholic Church and Protestant Church affect European exploration?

The close intertwining of culture and faith in European states led to a desire to spread Christianity to distant lands, which was a motivation for exploration and the establishment of colonies.

What was the role of missionaries in the context of European exploration and imperialism?

Missionaries, such as Jesuits, were sent to convert indigenous people to Christianity, which was often used as an instrument for control and subjugation by imperial states.

What is the significance of Bartolomé de las Casas in the context of European exploration and indigenous peoples?

Bartolomé de las Casas was a Jesuit priest who defended the rights of American Indians and worked to improve their conditions under the imperial regime, although he did not extend the same sympathy to enslaved Africans.

What was the third motivation for European exploration mentioned in the video?

The third motivation was glory, as European states competed with each other for power and the establishment of empires became a measure of state power.

What technological advancements facilitated the establishment of maritime empires by European states?

Advancements in cartography, shipbuilding such as the caravel, sail technology like the lateen sail, and navigational instruments like the magnetic compass and astrolabe were crucial for the establishment of maritime empires.

Outlines

00:00

💰 Mercantilism and the Quest for Wealth

This paragraph delves into the primary motivation behind European exploration and colonization between 1450 and 1648, which was the pursuit of wealth, particularly gold and silver. The economic system of mercantilism is highlighted as the driving force, with its belief in a finite global wealth and the need for a favorable balance of trade. The paragraph explains how establishing colonies was a strategic move to increase a nation's wealth by exploiting natural resources and creating a trade surplus. Jean-Baptiste Colbert is introduced as a key figure in French mercantilist policy, emphasizing domestic production and high tariffs on imports to bolster the French economy. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the European demand for luxury goods from Asia and the challenges posed by the Ottoman Empire's control over land trade routes, which spurred the search for sea routes to Asia.

05:01

🚢 Technological Advancements in Maritime Exploration

The second paragraph focuses on the technological advancements that facilitated European maritime exploration and the establishment of sea-based empires. It discusses improvements in cartography, leading to more accurate and detailed maps that were widely accessible due to the printing press. The development of the caravel, a fast and navigable ship designed specifically for trade rather than warfare, is highlighted as a significant innovation. The introduction of the lateen sail, which allowed for more efficient use of wind from various directions, is also mentioned. Furthermore, the paragraph covers the adoption of navigational instruments such as the magnetic compass and the astrolabe, which were borrowed from Muslim and Chinese navigators, and their importance in maintaining direction and calculating latitude during sea voyages.

Keywords

💡European Colonization

European Colonization refers to the period from 1450 to 1648 when Europeans established colonies and built empires across the world. The video script discusses this as a central theme, highlighting the motivations and methods behind European expansion. For instance, the script mentions the classic answer of 'gold, for God, and for glory' as the driving factors behind this colonization.

💡Mercantilism

Mercantilism was the dominant economic system in Europe during the period of exploration. It viewed the world's wealth as a fixed pie, implying that a nation's wealth could only increase at the expense of others. The script explains that this system motivated European states to acquire more gold and silver, leading to the establishment of colonies as a means to secure these resources and maintain a favorable balance of trade.

💡Balance of Trade

A favorable balance of trade is a situation where a state exports more goods than it imports. In the context of the video, this concept is crucial to understanding mercantilism, as it was believed that exporting more than importing would bring wealth into the state in the form of gold and silver. The script uses this concept to explain why European states sought to establish colonies that could provide raw materials for trade.

💡Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Jean-Baptiste Colbert was France's Controller General and a key figure in the implementation of mercantilist policies. The script uses him as an example to illustrate how mercantilism was put into practice, with policies aimed at promoting domestic industry, reducing reliance on imports, and increasing exports, thereby securing wealth for the state.

💡Caravel

The caravel was a type of ship developed by the Spanish and Portuguese, known for its speed and high navigability. The script mentions this ship as an example of technological advancements that facilitated European exploration and the establishment of maritime empires. The caravel was designed specifically for trade and could be armed, but its primary purpose was not for warfare.

💡Latin Sail

The Latin sail is a type of sail technology that allowed ships to harness wind from any direction, not just from astern like a square sail. The script describes this as a significant advancement in ship technology that contributed to the success of European maritime exploration by making ships like the caravel faster and more maneuverable.

💡Magnetic Compass

The magnetic compass is a navigational instrument that helps sailors maintain a true direction while at sea. The script explains that Europeans adopted this technology from Muslim and Chinese navigators, which was crucial for accurate navigation during their exploration and establishment of maritime empires.

💡Astrolabe

The astrolabe is an instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies, which helps in determining latitude. The script mentions the adoption of the astrolabe by Europeans as part of the technological advancements that aided in more accurate navigation during the age of exploration.

💡Reconquista

The Reconquista refers to the period in Spanish history when Christian forces drove Jews and Muslims from their lands, culminating in 1492. The script uses this term to illustrate the religious motivations behind Spanish exploration, as the completion of the Reconquista coincided with the beginning of their efforts to spread Christianity to newly discovered lands.

💡Jesuit Missionaries

Jesuit missionaries were members of the Society of Jesus, a religious order within the Catholic Church, who were sent to convert indigenous peoples in the newly discovered lands. The script discusses their role in the spread of Christianity and the complex attitudes towards indigenous peoples, with some Jesuits, like Bartolome de las Casas, advocating for their rights.

💡Maritime Empire

A maritime empire is an empire that is based on sea power and control of sea routes rather than land-based territories. The script explains that the European empires established during the age of exploration were of this type, requiring new technologies and naval capabilities to maintain control over distant colonies and trade routes.

Highlights

Europeans established colonies and built empires from 1450 to 1648, driven by motivations such as wealth, religion, and glory.

The classic answer for European exploration is 'gold, for God, and for glory'.

Mercantilism was the dominant economic system in Europe, viewing world's wealth as a fixed pie to be divided.

Wealth was measured in gold and silver, leading to the goal of accumulating as much as possible in national coffers.

A favorable balance of trade was essential, meaning more exports than imports to bring gold into the state.

Colonies were seen as a means to acquire more gold and provide raw materials for trade.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert exemplified mercantilist policy, aiming to reduce imports and promote French industry.

European demand for luxury goods from Asia was high, but the Ottoman Empire controlled the land routes, inflating prices.

The desire to spread Christianity, especially after the Reconquista and the Protestant Reformation, fueled exploration.

Jesuit missionaries were sent to convert indigenous people, but attitudes towards them varied.

Glory and state power competition led to the establishment of maritime empires as a measure of success.

Maritime empires were sea-based, requiring new technologies for exploration and trade.

Advancements in cartography made maps more detailed and accurate for better navigation.

The caravel was developed for fast and navigable shipping, distinct from warships.

The lateen sail allowed ships to take wind from any side, improving maneuverability.

The magnetic compass and astrolabe were adopted for more accurate navigation and latitude measurement.

European exploration and empire building were facilitated by a combination of economic, religious, and political motivations, as well as technological advancements.

Transcripts

so eventually europeans went out all

over the world establishing colonies and

building empires from 1450 to 1648 and

in this video we're going to consider

why they did it and how they did it so

if you're ready to get them brain cows

milked then let's get to so first why

did europeans go out in this age of

exploration to conquer lands and set up

empires well the classic answer is this

they did it for gold for god and for

glory so first let's talk about gold as

a motivating factor for exploration you

know silver was in there too but you

know the point is they went out

exploring because they wanted

wealth boom shut up gorilla anyway in

order to understand this motivation you

have to know about something called

mercantilism which was the dominant

economic system of europe during this

time period the controlling idea behind

mercantilism is that it saw the world's

wealth as a pie and that has two

implications first there's only a fixed

amount of pie therefore second if i want

a bigger slice of that pie that means

somebody else has to get a smaller slice

of that pie and that makes sense when

you realize that they measured wealth in

terms of gold and silver and of course

there's only a finite amount of gold and

silver in the world and so the goal of

mercantilism then was to get as much

gold and silver into the national

coffers as possible so in order to do

that states had to maintain what was

known as a favorable balance of trade

and that meant that a state needed to

have more exports than imports and it's

easy to understand why if a state is

importing a lot of goods then where is

that gold going it's going out of the

state but if the state is exporting a

lot of goods to other places then where

is the gold going it's coming into the

state now what does this have to do with

european exploration well to put it in

proper academic historical terms a

metric butler during this period

european states began to recognize that

establishing colonies was a sure means

to getting more gold not only did

colonies themselves have deposits of

gold and silver but they also provided

raw materials which could be shipped

back to the imperial state made into

goods and sold right back to the

colonial people and if they're selling

goods to the colonial peoples what's

coming back into the country any guesses

yes that's right it's gold so the point

is mercantilism was a major motivating

factor for european exploration and if

you want an example of this and i know

that you do then let me introduce you to

my boy jean baptiste colbert who was

france's controller general and kind of

the poster child from mercantilist

policy colbert aimed to create policies

in france that enabled french industry

to create everything the people needed

so they didn't have to import those

goods from elsewhere and in order to do

that he abolished domestic tariffs and

enacted steep tariffs on other imported

goods if you're scratching your head

wondering what a tariff is it's just a

tax on imported government so colbert

raised taxes on imported goods like a

madman and that means the french people

will be more likely to buy french-made

goods since they were cheaper

additionally under colbert's guidance

france claimed a bunch of territory in

north america the most significant of

which was quebec and the louisiana

territory now briefly the other thing we

need to talk about under the heading of

gold is the european demand for luxury

goods from asia elite europeans had a

craving for eastern porcelain and spice

and tea the problem was that the muslim

ottoman empire controlled the land

routes over which those luxury goods

would travel into europe therefore the

prices of those goods were exceedingly

inflated that became a motivation for

european states to try to find a sea

route to asia so that they could trade

in that market on their own terms okay

now the second motivation for european

exploration was god and it's hard to

overestimate just how much influence the

catholic church and the later protestant

church had over european states their

culture and their faith were bound so

tightly together that it was difficult

to tell where one stopped and the others

started and so that made certain states

want to spread christianity into distant

lands case in point spain so by 1492

they had completed the reconquista in

which they were able to drive jews and

muslims from their land and by the time

of the protestant reformation there was

a desire to see catholicism in the

ascendant position over protestantism

and that provided a motivation for the

exploration via the sea and as they

found their way to the new world they

sent jesuit missionaries to convert

indigenous people but you should know

that many of them thought of the

indigenous people as lesser humans and

thus suitable for forced labor that way

christianity became an instrument for

control and subjugation in the hands of

imperial states but not all jesuits held

that belief for example jesuit priest

bartolome de las casas mounted elaborate

defenses on behalf of american indians

and worked to make their life under the

imperial regime less harsh a sympathy

that he did not hold for the enslaved

african people that would show up later

but we'll talk about that in another

video all right third motivation for

exploration glory the idea here is that

european states were in competition with

one another in terms of power and once

the establishment of empires became the

scoreboard for state power european

states tried to grab as many of those

points as possible okay now these

empires that were born out of european

exploration were a new kind of empire

namely maritime empire and that just

means they were sea based and not

land-based as so many empires in world

history had been up to this moment if

you're going to build a sea based empire

you're going to need new technology and

so let's talk about a few of the big

tech advancements during this period

first were advancements in cartography

which is to say map making up to this

point maps especially for navigating the

sea were kind of vague and in some cases

inaccurate but by this period maps were

becoming far more detailed and accurate

and thanks to the printing press

becoming widely accessible second were

new kinds of ships for example the

spanish and the portuguese developed the

caravel which was very fast and highly

navigable prior to this ships kind of

did like double duty like they could

carry cargo but they also had to be able

to be converted into warships as well

that meant that they didn't do either

particularly well but the caravel was

made only for shipping and trade

although they you know could be armed

but that wasn't their purpose and these

ships were fast because of new sail

technology namely the latin city this

was a triangular sail that could take on

wind from any side not just from the

back like a square third were more

accurate navigational instruments for

example europeans adopted the magnetic

compass and the astrolabe from muslim

and chinese navigators the compass

helped sailors to keep their direction

true while the astrolabe helped give an

accurate reckoning of latitude so all of

that put together is how and why

europeans began exploring via the sea

and establishing maritime empires now

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