WH Unit 3 - Maritime Empires

The Maya believed that their kings spoke with the gods. Each god represented a different area of life. The Maya believed the gods could either help them or hurt them and rituals with blood were an important part of their beliefs. 

The Aztecs believed gods fed on human blood so they made many human sacrifices to keep the gods happy. 

The Incas believed their rulers were related to the sun god and that they never really died.

Based on the description above, which of the following best characterizes Native American belief systems before the arrival of Europeans?

• Native American tribes shared common beliefs.

• No Native American nations were polytheistic.

• Native Americans were mostly Christians while some practiced Buddhism and Hinduism.

• There were many different belief systems among the different Native American societies

What was a negative impact of world trade in the 15th through 17th centuries?

• Trade of cheap products from overseas put local workers out of business.

• Trade of new products were introduced from around the world.

• Trade brought disease that devastated populations and cultures.

• Trade flooded certain countries with too many products.

"European countries sponsored exploration and colonization in hopes of increasing wealth through trade or discovering valuable natural resources. Many European explorers hoped to find a new sea route to Asia, which would give them direct access to Asia's treasured spices. Once explorers encountered North and South America, European rulers rushed to claim land in the "New World" for its valuable natural resources like gold, silver, and furs."

Based on the text above, what economic reason did Europeans have to explore?

• They wanted to find new sea routes to establish trade centers.

• They wanted to discover salt mines for food preservation.

• They wanted to establish new European trade guilds.

• They wanted to reestablish European colonial dominance.

How did advancements in technology increase the spread of technology during the Age of Exploration?

• New technology made communicating across the ocean easier.

• New technology allowed for more ships to travel faster and safer.

• New technology allowed for advanced flying machines for travel.

• New technology made ships easier but more expensive to build.

What is one way that the astrolabe and the compass were similar?

• They were both used to help with ocean navigation and trade.

• They both were used for fishing in large fleets in the Atlantic.

• They were both used in case a ship capsized to help the crew.

• They both can be found on maps as guides for ship captains.

How did the Columbian Exchange positively change the lives of Europeans?

• Political systems changed due to cultural diffusion in Europe.

• Diseases from Asia came and devastated Europe's population.

• New crops from the Americas expanded and changed their diet.

• Many were shipped to South America as Slaves.

… In addition, after the last battle they were afraid of the horses and guns, of our swords and crossbows and our good fighting. Above all was the great mercy of God, Who gave us the strength to keep on.… — Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Bernal Díaz Chronicles, Doubleday & Company

According to this author, which factors were influencing the outcome of the conflict?

• climate and disease

• tribute and tradition

• efficiency and education

• technology and fear

… In addition, after the last battle they were afraid of the horses and guns, of our swords and crossbows and our good fighting. Above all was the great mercy of God, Who gave us the strength to keep on.… — Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Bernal Díaz Chronicles, Doubleday & Company

In this passage about a conflict in Mexico, whose perspective is being expressed?

• Spanish conquistador

• Aztec warrior

• Inca emperor

• Portuguese explorer

What religion did Europeans want to spread into the new world?

• Judaism

• Christianity

• Buddhism

• Islam

Use the excerpt below to answer the question: "The Mita was a tax paid in the Incan economy during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Incas did not have any currency, so these taxes were paid with bartered items or labor. The labor could take many different forms, such as serving in the military, farming, building roads, or any other type of job. In return, the government provided the necessities for living." What role did the Mita system have in contributing to the development of the Incan Empire?

• It granted independence to families who provided labor for seven years.

• It helped to maintain the roads, bridges, and public works the empire built.

• It provided a large number of soldiers to help fight invaders such as the conquistadors.

• It helped the empire grow large cash crops that led to immense wealth.