European Exploration Quiz

Why did Cortés want to conquer the Aztecs?

• The Aztecs had attacked Spanish merchants.

• He wanted to bring enslaved Aztecs to Spain.

• He wanted Aztec land and riches.

• He needed more soldiers for his army.

Portuguese explorers created a trading empire by

• negotiating agreements with local leaders.

• marrying local women and building settlements.

• discovering a sea route around Africa to India.

• discovering new inland trading opportunities.

Why did Columbus reach the Caribbean islands rather than the East Indies?

• He did not know that he had sailed far off course.

• He greatly underestimated the size of Earth.

• He was unaware that Earth was a sphere.

• He ran out of food and water and landed too soon.

Both Korea and Japan followed a policy of isolationism because

• they thought Europeans and other foreigners were a threat to their independence.

• they did not respect the power of European rulers.

• they had close ties to China and followed China’s wishes.

• they had no interest in new ideas and technology.

Which was a major cause of European exploration?

• the need to reduce Europe’s population

• a desire for direct access to spices

• the need to limit the growth of Arab empires

• a desire for better fishing grounds

Why did Ming China demand that Europeans pay for goods with gold or silver?

• The Ming needed money to pay for European goods.

• No Ming trade items interested Europeans.

• The Ming lacked access to precious metals.

• No European trade items interested them.

Which describes the main reason why European powers expanded their presence in Africa?

• to explore African rivers and learn about African plants and animals

• to cooperate with other European powers to spread Christianity throughout Africa

• to expand their trade in Africa, the Indian Ocean, and India

• to make agreements with African leaders to work and trade together with Arab traders

Which statement summarizes advantages that Dutch East India Company traders had over Portuguese and Spanish traders?

• The company had helpful agreements with English merchants.

• The company was not permitted to raise armies or sign treaties.

• The company was closely supervised by the Dutch government.

• The company could wage war and govern overseas territories.

Due to the plantation system and lack of native labor, the Portuguese in Brazil chose to

• abandon the plantation system

• encourage Spanish settlers to move to Brazil

• bring in slave labor from Africa

• offer high pay for settlers to move from Europe

What did the British East India Company do to dominate most of India?

• encouraged Mughal emperors to make destructive political decisions

• used alliances, armies, and its wealth to weaken the Mughal empire

• used diplomacy to unite Hindus and Muslims

• partnered with the French to exclude Mughal goods from Europe