AP WORLD HISTORY
Study Guide: Chapter 22 – Asian Transitions in an Age of Global Change
Intro
1. Describe the arrival of da Gama’s fleet in Calicut from the perspective of both the Portuguese and
Indians. What is noticeably different about their views? (feel free to narrate if you so desire)
The Asian Trading World and the Coming of the Europeans
2. What major problem do the Portuguese encounter after finally making the trip around Africa and
across the Arabian Sea? What secondary problem do they face regarding their nemesis, the
Muslims?
Bonds of Commerce: The Asian Sea Trading Network
3. List the 3 “zones of trade” as described in the text, as well as the major products associated with
those zones.
4. What 2 characteristics/weaknesses of this trade network will the Europeans ultimately be able to
exploit?
The Portuguese Response to the Encounter at Calicut
5. What objections do the Portuguese have to using silver as a medium of exchange in their trade
with the East?
6. How do the Portuguese change the way trade is conducted in the East. Describe at least one
example of their ability to dictate the terms of trade and exchange.
Portuguese Vulnerability and the Rise of the Dutch and English Trading Empires
7. What are 3 reasons for the failure of the Portuguese to establish a trading empire, thus opening
the door for the Dutch and English? How do the Dutch methods differ from the Portuguese?
Going Ashore: European Tribute Systems in Asia
8. What prevented Europeans from simply taking over the foreign countries they visited? What
methods were used (particularly with smaller kingdoms) to ensure that Europeans were able to
get the products they wanted with a minimum of fuss?
Spreading the Faith: The Missionary Enterprise in South and Southeast Asia
9. Why do you suppose Christian missionaries had success in converting lower-caste Hindus, but
not those of the upper castes?
10. Despite the best intentions of European missionaries, what were the primary reasons that the
“native pagans” agreed to conversion?
Ming China: A Global Mission Refused
11. Read twice…no question
Another Scholar-Gentry Revival
12. How has the exam system changed from its Foundations-era origins? How has it remained the
same?
Reform: Hongwu’s Efforts to Root Out Abuses in Court Politics
13. What steps does Hongwu take to prevent corruption in the bureaucracy? How does he attempt to
keep peace in the palace itself?
A Return to Scholar-Gentry Dominance
14. Describe the conditions of the peasant class during the Ming dynasty. In addition, how has the
status of women changed/remained the same?
An Age of Growth: Agriculture, Population, Commerce, and the Arts
15. Create your own question AND answer
An Age of Expansion: the Zhenghe Expeditions
16. Read twice…no question (This should be mostly review for you)
Chinese Retreat and the Arrival of the Europeans
17. Describe the successes and failures of European missionaries in China (be sure to mention efforts
focused at both upper and lower classes).
Ming Decline and the Chinese Predicament
18. Describe the effect of dynastic decline on the peasantry.
Fending Off the West: Japan’s Reunification and the First Challenge
19. How do the plans/policies of Hideyoshi compare with those of his successor Tokugawa Ieyasu?
Whose are ultimately more successful for Japan?
Dealing With the European Challenge
20. Describe the initial reaction of the Japanese to the Christian missionaries. What causes their
attitude to change as time progresses?
Japan’s Self-Imposed Isolation
21. How do Japanese attitudes towards Europeans begin to change during the 16th and 17th centuries?
What are some of the causes of this shift?
Points to Ponder (these are the questions you will turn in) – 4 points each
1. Define the characteristics of the Asian sea trading network. In what
ways did the European incursion change the Asian system? In what ways
did it remain the same?
2. What was the nature of the Ming restoration of traditional Chinese
values? What innovations were made?
3. Compare and contrast Chinese and European means (how they did it) and
motives (why they did it) for commercial expansion.
4. Following the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, what was the
nature of Japanese relationships with Europe? With China?
5. Compare and contrast the spread of Christianity in Asia with the spread
of Islam in Asia.