Early Modern1450 CE – 1750 CE

Finally, we’ve turned a corner.  The world starts to become “the world” in this era.  As you may have noticed from the banner above, this era is all about Maritime Reconnaissance (guys in boats going out and finding stuff).

Let’s take it easy today.  Here’s a nice overview of the Early Modern era.

First, here’s what the Early Modern Era looked like:

A local cartographer pieced this together.  It shows every place that the College Board mentions in the curriculum.  If you see it on the map, it is somewhere in the curriculum.  

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As I said before, this era is dominated by the effects of European discovery.  So, before we look at the effects of these explorations (tomorrow), here are the Explorers/Conquistadors/etc.  you should know.  These journeys changed the game.

Look at ‘em go! OK.  Now that you’ve seen where they go, next; we see why that matters…

4.1: Globalizing Networks of Communication & Exchange

The AP always wants to tip you off at the beginning of an era that the Trade Routes of the old era (Post-Classical 600-1450) intensified. Don’t think that these other trade routes disappear.  They don’t.  Well, maybe the Trans-Saharan.  It definitely loses its pizzazz.  

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But, let’s not bury the lead.  The star of this era is European Exploration.  You saw where they went yesterday.  But, how’d they get there? 

They needed new technology.  They needed better devices to determine their location.  So, if it’s the end of the Post-Classical era, and the dawn of a new era; where do you go to get these? China and the Caliphates (obvi).

Europeans used Islamic Astrolabes and Cartography (maps).  They also used the Chinese Compass.  They learned from the Muslims and from their own research about how Wind Patterns affect travel.  Also, they develop their own technology like the boat that dominated the early part of this era:

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So, now we know how it was possible and have seen where they went. Next, we take a closer look at this Maritime Reconnaissance.  

4.1 Globalizing Networks of Communication & Exchange:

It all starts with Prince Henry of Portugal.  He was the Grandfather of it all.  His school in Portugal was where Navigators went to learn the craft. Here’s a quick info graphic on the “remarkable” reconnaissance:

The Explorers and where they went are important.  But, don’t waste your life memorizing Herjolfson vs. Erickson or Magellan vs. Drake. Instead, let’s focus on the economics that grew out of this:

TRADE COMPANIES: Investors pooled their money into corporations (often monopolies) that would foster trade around the world.  There were a ton of them.  Know TWO: Dutch East India Company (VOC) or British East India Trading Company.

SILVER: Turns out, there’s a mountain of silver (Potosi).  This silver was circulated around the world (it was the DBQ in 2006).  This movement of silver around the world is the first real traceable movement of currency.  This is going to go from the mines of Potosi, to the treasuries of the Chinese Emperors.

MERCANTILISM:  Embrace it.  It’s a scary word.  It simply is the way European nations attempted to expand their empires.  Rules:

1. Become Self Sufficient

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2. Accumulate as much gold and silver as possible.

3. Acquire colonies and tax them in means of helping the Motherland.

TRADE ROUTE: The Atlantic System or the Triangle Trade.  This is the movement of goods across the Atlantic (and back).

Next, the most important thing to happen in the course thus far (arguably, at least since farming)…

THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE!

OK.  So, you’ve seen the explorers and their impact.  But, we’ve overlooked a major event.  Arguably, the MAJOR EVENT of all time. There are three major things that have happened since the Big Bang.

1. Neolithic Revolution (Farming)2. Columbian Exchange (Trade)3. Industrial Revolution (Industry)

Let’s look at the one that dominates the Early Modern Era… The Columbian Exchange.

4.1 Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange

When I say its super important, I’m not just saying it because I think so (and I do).  The Columbian Exchange has been featured or cameo-ed in multiple AP World History essays.  Here are some common misconceptions:

1. The Columbian Exchange was a trade route.

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No.  It wasn’t.  The phrase “Columbian Exchange” wasn’t even coined until the 20th century.  It simply refers to the opening up of new ideas, raw materials, and disease that followed the European arrival in the New World. That’s all. 

     2. It all happened at once.

It’s not an it.  There is no it.  There is no thing.  It just refers to the gradual introduction of products, disease, and avacados.

    3. It only affected the 15th Century.

The impact of this thing is immense.  Why do Italians use tomatoes? The Columbian Exchange.  Why do Irish people eat potatoes? The Columbian Exchange.  Why are there so many Chinese people? The Columbian Exchange.  It’s kind of a big deal.

HERE's   (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPA5oNpfM4&feature=youtu.be) what ya boy Johnny Green thinks.

Argh. Enough boats. Next’s all about culture.  

We’ve already looked at the major event of the Early Modern Era: European Maritime activity (that’s a nice way to put it… you could just call it Non-Stop Conquer-Fest-1492).  Let’s look at some of the Cultural things happening in this era… beyond the boats.

4.1 Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange:

The Cultural tidbits that they tie to the global expansion of trade are the following;

SUNNI/SHI’A SPLIT: HERE's   (linked on Scott’s review page) is a summary.

PROTESTANT REFORMATION:  This is a big deal for the Virginia SOL (end of year test).  Here (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/reformation/) is Freeman’s page for everything it requires.  Otherwise, the Catholic Church (after splitting with the Eastern Church in the 11th Century) spit again mainly over doctrinal beliefs led by Martin Luther.

NEW SYNCRETIC RELIGIONS:  Here (linked on Scott’s review page) are the three examples the AP gives.

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INNOVATIONS IN ART FORMS: The big one here is the Renaissance (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/renaissance/) But, this also includes Japanese woodblock prints.  Here’s one (it’s from the next era, but it’s Freeman’s fave).

LITERATURE: They give several examples here. Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Sundiata.  But also, the Journey to the West and Kabuki theatre. 

World Trade begins in this era.  It has massive effects.  One of the most lasting has to be how the people of the Americas/Africa were treated or ‘coerced’ (AP Word for ‘forced’) into different social classes/labor groups.  

4.2: New Forms of Social Organization and Modes of Production

This really breaks into two groups: Native Americans and Africans. Here (linked on Scott’s review page) is the breakdown of this treatment. It also deals with new ruling groups in India, labor movements in Russia, and Feudal hierarchies in Japan/Europe.

Here’s John the Green’s explanation of the Slave Trade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnV_MTFEGIY

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The College Board wraps up this era (1450-1750) with a breakdown of the major players in the era.  They break it into NINE Empires.  We will break them down into three groups.

1. Early Maritime Empires (Spanish/Portuguese) 

2. Late Maritime Empires (English, Dutch, French)

3. Land Empires (Ottoman, Mughal, Manchu, Russian)

4.3 State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion:

For now = how do these people consolidate (legitimize) their power?

Traditional Artistic Methods: Building large buildings, court literature, and city design. This has been going on since the Mayans and Harappans… Nothing new here, just know it’s still happening.

Religious Methods: Christian Europe had Divine Right.  Shi’a Safavids (Persia) had Shi’a Islam.  Aztecs had human sacrifice.

Treatment of Ethnic Groups: Ottomans use of religious tolerance towards their non-Islamic citizens.  Manchus treatment of the Chinese within their dynasty (Dyarchy).  The Spanish developed an entirely new realm of laws/culture for the Native Americans (Republic de Indios).

Training of Bureaucratic Beliefs: The Chinese are still using the Civil Service Exam.  The Ottomans use the Devshirme system (christian youths kidnapped, converted, and trained for service to the Sultan). 

Taxes: Yeah, the AP wants you to know that territorial expansion was funded by taxing your existing population.  Seems common sense… 

Sweet.  All that’s left for this era are the empires.  We’ll break those down over the next few days.  Starting with Prince (who had no chance of ruling his country) instead opening a “school” for mariners (explorers) that changed the world forever…

MARITIME!

Alright.  The Maritime Empires.  Maritime means Ocean-time.  So, Maritime Empires refers to the Empires that grew via overseas exploration.  Let’s look at the early one’s first…

4.3 State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion:

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Look at Portugal.  It’s shore is the end of the earth (according to Europeans prior to this point).  It’s also the furthest from the major trade routes.  Luckily, they did have the legacy of al-Andalus (the Cordoba Caliphate).  Otherwise, it was (insert whichever state your state looks down on; for me, that’s West Virginia).  

Luckily, the father of all Early Modern Navigators was born SECOND. His brother was first in line and had plenty of kids.  So, Henry (Prince Henry the Navigator) devoted his life to navigation.  His school is specifically mentioned by the AP World curriculum as the starting point for Western navigation.  From there, he explored down the coast of Africa.  After him, many other explorers took what they learned here and went to India and even all the way around the world!  

Here (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/portugueseempire) is Freeman’s page devoted to the Portuguese Empire.  It has maps, videos, and my notes on this empire.

The Spanish took what the Portuguese started and greatly expanded it. The difference? Columbus.  An Italian sailing for Spain who found (although he never admitted to it) the New World.  This was the game changer.  This was the event that made this era, this era.  No one is more synonymous with exploration and conquering that the Spanish.  

Here’s a whole page devoted to the Spanish Empire.

Next, the new kids on the block.  Those who built on what the Spanish and Portuguese started.  Not only do they succeed, they prosper as much or more so than their predecessors.

Now, we look at the business of European Maritime Reconnaissance. That means Trading Companies.

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4.3 State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion

After the Spanish and Portuguese split the world at the Treaty of Tordesillas, the colonial map of the world was set.  Well, it was set to them.  The British, Dutch (and to a lesser extent the French) saw the world as wide open.  They took their faster ships, better financing and took it around the world.  When the dust settles, the British are in India, the Dutch are in Oceania, and the French are… well… not really anywhere.

The British will build the largest empire in history during this era. Bigger than the Persians.  Bigger than Napoleon.  Bigger than Hitler. Way bigger.  Bigger than the Mongols.  Yeah, I said it.  Bigger than the Mongols.  Here’s  (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/britishempire) the story of how the British took over..

The French are more of a Continental Europe power in this era.  I’m talking about Louis XIV and Versailles.  THE Centralized power of Europe.  But, this is all about Empire… And, the bulk of what will become the French Empire is taken in the next era… Just know that they did have one... Mainly Canada and some spots in Asia. So, here’s (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/frenchempire) Freeman’s page on the French Empire.

The Dutch Empire is the peak of Dutch power in AP World History.  The Dutch East India Trading Company (VOC) is the biggest business in the history of the planet.  The Dutch countered the Spanish and Portuguese by leaving the missionaries at home and focusing on trade. Here’s  (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/dutchempire-3-2) Freeman’s page on the Dutch.

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Before we leave this period, there is one more group that we gotta talk about.  Who are they?

Let's run through them one by one:

The Manchu Empire came from our old friends north of the wall: THE JURCHEN.  They united under Nurhaci to become the Manchus.  The Manchus took advantage of the fall of the Ming Dynasty in China and took over.  They are the last Chinese Dynasty.  You also know them as the Qing Empire.  You can find more on them here (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/manchuempire) . 

Arguably the greatest of the great Islamic Empires, the Mughals began as a Central Asian group descended from the Mongols.  They rose to take over India and see one of history's greatest rulers (literally, Akbar the Great means Great the Great).  They even build the Taj Mahal! This is the last group to rule India until the British take over in the next period.  Here (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/mughalempire)  is Freeman’s page on the Mughal Empire.

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When the Europeans were all crusading into the "Holy Land" during the last period; this was their worst nightmare.  A powerful, disciplined, organized Islamic empire knocking on their door to the east.  Well, here they are.  The Ottoman Empire are a massive empire that essentially took over for the Byzantines in 1453.  Religiously tolerant, militarily dominant, and perhaps the longest lasting empire ever; here  (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/ottomanempire) is Freeman’s page on the Ottoman Empire. 

The Russian Empire is the French Empire of the Land Based Empire. Yeah, they have a land based empire, but it is truly of little consequence (for AP World) until the next period.  It is the largest nation on earth.  They do have Peter the Great.  But that's about it. Here (http://www.freeman-pedia.com/russianempire) is Freeman’s page on the Russian empire. 

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