World History Midterm 2025

1. Which continent was significantly impacted by changes in political boundaries due to European political and military control by the mid-18th century?

• a. Africa
• b. North America
• c. Asia
• d. South America

2. What was the role of mercantilism in stimulating European expansion through trade, conquest, and colonization?

• a. Promoting isolationism
• b. Encouraging free trade among nations
• c. Accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade
• d. Ignoring the economic aspects of colonization

3. How did natural resources influence European exploration and colonization?

• a. Natural resources had no impact
• b. Natural resources motivated and funded exploration
• c. Natural resources led to conflicts and wars
• d. Natural resources discouraged exploration

4. What is one example of the social impact of the interactions between indigenous peoples and colonizers?

• a. Spread of disease
• b. Columbian Exchange
• c. Building of new trade routes
• d. Technological advancements

5. Which continents were involved in the movement of essential commodities like sugar and cotton?

• a. Asia, Europe, and Africa
• b. Europe, North America, and Australia
• c. Asia, South America, and Antarctica
• d. Europe, Antarctica, and Africa

6. Which region commonly practiced slavery similar to the chattel slavery found in the Americas?

• a. East Africa
• b. West Africa
• c. Southwest Asia
• d. Europe

7. What was a key difference between the economic policies of China and Japan during the time period in question?

• a. China pursued international trade, while Japan focused on isolationism
• b. China heavily invested in military expansion, while Japan prioritized economic development
• c. China embraced capitalism, while Japan adopted a communist economic system
• d. China implemented tariffs on imports, while Japan promoted free trade

8. How did the new social stratification in Spanish colonies contribute to conflict?

• a. It promoted unity among Native Americans, Africans, and Europeans
• b. It led to peaceful interactions between different groups
• c. It created tension and conflict among diverse populations
• d. It had no impact on social dynamics

9. How did the importation of gold and silver from the New World impact inflation in Europe, Southwest Asia, and Africa?

• a. Increased inflation due to a decrease in the value of gold and silver
• b. Decreased inflation due to a scarcity of gold and silver
• c. Decreased inflation due to an abundance of gold and silver
• d. Increased inflation due to a rise in the value of gold and silver

10. What is a key aspect to consider when comparing and contrasting the motivations for expanding empires?

• a. Time period differences
• b. Geographical size of the empires
• c. Language spoken by the rulers
• d. Types of weapons used in battles