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.