The Age of Exploration

How does mercantilism help European countries gain wealth?

• Merchants and trade are key to a nation's wealth so free trade must be preserved.

• Colonies extend an empire's trading posts and so they (colonies) should try to gain as many new trading partners as possible.

• Colonies exist to make the home country wealthy so they should not be allowed to trade with anyone except the home country.

• Merchants should be in control of the colonies in order to build a greater trading empire for the home country.

Which of the following was a major cause of the French and Indian War?

• Britain and France disagreed over the possession of the Louisiana Territory.

• France supported American efforts of independence from Great Britain.

• Britain supported privateers who raided French merchant ships.

• France and Britain claimed the same territory in the Ohio Valley.

Why did the establishment of some English colonies require the creation of joint-stock companies?

• Some colonies were founded as royal colonies and the monarchy recruited colonists for them.

• Colonies were risky and individuals were unwilling to invest all of their money in them.

• Some colonies were attacked by Native Americans and soldiers were needed to defend them.

• Colonies were seldom profitable and banks were needed to support them.

Which economic activity relied on the majority of Brazil's enslaved Africans?

• mining

• fur trapping

• plantation farming

• shipbuilding

Which of the following were weaknesses of the Aztec empire that Hernando Cortes used to his advantage in defeating Montezuma II? (Choose 3)

• defensive position

• immunity to disease

• number of soldiers

• hostile neighbors

• superior weaponry

Which of the following groups experienced a significant increase in economic power with the rise of capitalist economies?

• farmers

• bishops

• miners

• merchants

Western European nations sought a sea route to East Asia that bypassed the Middle East because Italian and ________ merchants increased the price of spices in Europe.

• Chinese

• Indian

• Portuguese

• Muslim

Which economic activity was common in New France?

• cattle ranching

• gold mining

• cotton farming

• fur trapping

How did the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of South America differ?

• The Portuguese exported much of their wealth back to Europe while the Spanish invested in native economies.

• The Portuguese established plantations to raise cash crops while the Spanish created small farms.

• The Spanish conquered civilizations rich in gold while the Portuguese discovered few riches.

• The Spanish enslaved the native populations while the Portuguese relied on free labor.

Why was Portugal the first western European nation to travel to India by sea?

• Portuguese soldiers discovered maps of Africa after they conquered the Muslim city of Ceuta.

• The Portuguese royal family invested large sums of money in naval exploration.

• Portuguese captains hired Muslim sailors who were familiar with the east coast of Africa.

• The Portuguese invented the triangular sail, allowing them to sail against ocean currents.