Unit 4:
The First Global Age (1450-1770)
Global History II Review
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Mesoamerican Civilizations
• Geography
– Central America
• Mayans
– Farming and trade were important
• Maize was a staple crop
– Polytheistic beliefs- made human sacrifices
– Established social hierarchy
– Contributions: Pyramids, farming, calendar
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Mesoamerican Civilizations
• Aztecs
– Expanded through military conquest
– Established social hierarchy
– Polytheistic beliefs- made human sacrifices
– Contributions: Calendar, floating gardens
• Incas
– Centralized and efficient government
– Build roads to link empire through Andes Mts.
– Terrace farming (cut into mountain side)
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Ming Dynasty in China
• Restoration of Chinese Rule
– Middle Kingdom- belief China was the center
of the earth and source of civilization
– Government reforms revived ideas of
Confucius and Civil Service System
• Contributions
– Improved food production
– Repaired canals and expanded trade network
– Porcelain
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Ming Dynasty in China
• China and the West
– Europeans were very interested in China but
China felt Europe was inferior
• Impact on Asia
– Korea: Civil Service, porcelain, writing
– Japan: Buddhism, art, writing, technology
– SEA: Religion, civil service system
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Ottoman Empire
• Rise of Ottoman Empire (1400s)
– 1453 conquered Constantinople and
expanded around ME/ Mediterranean Sea
– Expanded from superior military technology
• Europeans seek new trade routes
– Ottomans disrupted European trade
– Europeans searched for routes around ME
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Ottoman Empire
• Lasting Achievements and Impact
– Absorbed Byzantine influences
– Suleiman gave laws to the people
– Diverse population and tolerance
– Built mosques and practiced Islam
• Decline of Ottoman Empire
– Internal disorder- government corruption
– European advancements ahead of Turks
– Loss in World War I
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Exploration and Imperialism
• Eve of Exploration
– Reconquista: Spanish conquest of Muslim Sp.
• Brutal attacks by Christians on Muslims and Jews
– Europeans sought Spices from Asia and
sought routes other than through the ME
– New Technologies:
• Printing press, gunpowder, better maps, &
astrolabe
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Exploration and Imperialism
• Early Explorations and Encounters
– Exploration of Africa and Asia
• Vasco Da Gama reaches India
– Columbus reaches the Americas
• Wanted to find an alternative route to India
• Europeans compete for Colonies
– Imperialism in Africa- divided up continent
– Imperialism in Asia- trade posts set up in Asia
• Colonies like India (Britain) became important
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Exploration and Imperialism
• Europeans compete for Colonies
– Imperialism in the Americas
• Spanish conquistadors conquered civilizations
• Defeated Aztecs and Inca and established colonies
• Established the encomienda system
• Triangular Trade and Slavery
– Africans were taken as slaves to work in the
Americas after the native populations died
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Exploration and Imperialism
• Spanish Empire
– Developed encomeinda system using slaves
– Catholic Church was influential
– Social class structure:
• Peninsulars & Creoles were on top
• Columbian Exchange
– Resources from old and new worlds were introduced
to new environments
– Mercantilism-policy of gaining as much wealth as
possible for the colonial powers from its colonies
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Absolutism and the Puritans
• Global Absolutism
– Absolutism- autocratic rulers had complete power to
rule over the government and people
– Divine Right- king rules by the will of God
– Examples: Philip II, Louis XIV, Peter the Great
• Reaction to Absolutism in England
– Issues between ruler and people (parliament)
– English Civil War is fought between the Puritans and
the Crown
– Glorious Revolution: non-violent overthrow of the
English King
– English Bill of Rights
• Provides for a limited (constitutional) monarchy
• Provides for basic rights to the people of England
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