0003 Modern World History (SMR 1.3) Flashcards
What made the Age of Discovery/Age of Exploration possible?
made possible due to scientific advances, economic motivation and national/religious competition
Ship building was important for the age of exploration/discovery. Who were master ship builders and where were they built?
Genoa, as well as Cadiz and Lisbon became great centers of Ship building
Genoa masters mediterranean navigation, calm waters
Cadiz and Lisbon in Portugal under Henry the Navigator ushered in the Caravel ship and learned how to navigate oceans without being overly tossed and turned
What scientific and technical capabilities launched the age of discovery? (4)
- Ship building knowledge
- Completing the compass
- Achievements in map making
- New understanding of the wind system in the Atlantic Ocean
Who originally invented the compass?
originally from China but came to Europe in Renaissance, Europeans made it practical) made it possible to navigate away from land
What achievements in map making helped launch the age of discovery?
- development of the idea of latitudes, originally from Muslim Spain
- Various map projections aimed to represent a more accurate idea of the relative positions of the bodies of water and land, as well as distances between each point
Who brought a new understanding of the wind system?
has to do with Columbus’ scientific theory based on Basque (Iberian peninsula) fisherman. Columbus used their methodologies to come up with latitudes
What was the economic motivation behind the age of discovery?
Indian Ocean Market access.
China was the greatest manufacturer of silk, china wear, textile, etc.
And India and the islands provided both raw goods (spice) and manufactures (Textile)
Before the age of discovery, who controlled the trade in Indian Ocean Markets?
Persian and Arabia controlled the trade, with trade stations in Ceylon and the Indian Ocean islands, and controlling the straight of Malacca
What was the currency of trade in in Indian Ocean Markets
Silver as the most common currency (Coinage of China, India, and Persia)
Why was the Indian Ocean Market especially important for Europe?
Europe had little manufacturing and almost no surplus silver, they couldn’t compete in the economy so they were motivated to discover – need to gain direct access to goods. Chinese wanted silver and gold.
The fall of what empire changed control of the Silk Road?
Fall of Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Byzantine Empire had held portal to Silk Road but now that it was under Ottomans / Muslim control, the merchants could upcharge the christians, causing Europeans to explore and find new routes to the Indian Ocean Market
Why did Spain and Portugal emerge as the first two empires seeking to control the lucrative Indian Ocean Trade?
mostly because other European empires were in battle over religion (Spain and Portugal are staunchly Catholic)
England, France, and the Netherlands come into competition later
Who was Henry the Navigator?
Henry the Navigator was part of the royal family of Portugal invested much of national money into developing maritime technology.
Who were the explorers of Portugal and where did they explore? (4)
1420: Prince Henry the Navigator explored northern coast of Africa
1470: Bartolomeo Dias rounded the cape of Good Hope and established trade ports along coast of Africa
1500: Vasco de Gama reached India and establishes a port
1519-1522: Magellan circumnavigates the world (he was killed in the Philippines), finds earth is round
What was the advantage for Portugal during the age of discovery?
Advantage for Portugal was that they took a direct route to create ports where they could generate shipping fees
Who were Spanish explorers and what did they explore?
Columbus’ explorations in 1492
Spanish Conquistadors Cortez: discovers and explores Central America
Pizzaro: discovers and explores South America
What was the advantage for Spain during the age of discovery?
Advantage for Spain was that they gained precious metals in North and South America that they used to trade
When did the American Revolution happen and when did the French Revolution happen?
The American Revolution (1776-1789)
The French Revolution (1789 - 1800)
What events sparked the American Revolution?
The American Revolution was sparked not only by the Enlightenment but on the slow democracy occuring in England through things like the Magna Carta (1215) which was the first document to limit the power of the king and the role of the divine right of kings. When english colonists came to America, they brought with them the idea of representation in govt (Magistrates and Constables). After seven years war (French & Indian war), Britain starts to tax colonies without representation which were against enlightenment ideals and leads to Declaration of Independence
What thinkers inspired the American Revolution?
Locke & Roussea’s idea that a government that does not protect the rights of its citizens must be replaced
What happens at the end of America’s Revolution?
At the end of the revolution, Britain is no longer ruling the colonies and ideas like Montesqueiu’s separation of powers (three branches of govt), Voltaire’s freedom of speech and religion (1st amendment) and Beccaria’s Criminal Justice (4-8 amendments) heavily influence administration
Unlike American Revolution, French revolutionaries wanted to ______ the economic/political/social structures of the “old order”
completely replace
What was the Old Order?
The King had absolute power. Below the King were the three estates of Estates-General
First Estate: Clergy (cardinals, bishops, priests, etc.)
Second Estate: Aristocracy (royalty and ancient families of france, primarily landlords)
Third Estate: Everyone else, 98% of population but held almost no land or profits, felt taken advantage of and exploited
Who paid the majority of the taxes in France’s Old Order?
The economics of the regime were that the vast majority of taxes came from Third Estate
What event essentially launches French into a revolution in July 1789?
French mobs took over the Bastille prison in July 1789 and set the political prisoners free. Beheaded guards and started first act that led to mob-role, leads to trend of revolution
Why was the Bastille a tipping point?
Tensions had been rising up between the King and the Estates General. The King had not allowed the Estates General to meet so the take over of the prison was a way to collect gunpower and force the King to allow the Estates General to meet
Bastille was symbol of king’s restrictive power, held political prisoners who were put in prison for speaking up against the king. By freeing the prisoners, they were empowering the revolution
Who was the major leader of the French Revolution?
Maximilian Robespierre
Who was Maximillian Robespierre?
A member of the third estate, was educated and a lawyer, wanted to create a Republic of France. Would become the leader of the Committee of Public Safety who conducted Reign of Terror, suspended rights of Declaration of Rights, able to use secret police to arrest and citizens would turn in others for revenge. Ironically, Robespierre is one of the last victims of reign of terror when he is overturned by rivals. After his execution, the Committee of Public Safety is disbanded and Napoleon Bonaparte comes into power
What occurs when the French Monarch is toppled in 1790?
the monarch is toppled and the National Assembly is created – Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen are written – takes many of ideas of Enlightenment and states responsibility of govt
What happens two year after the French National Assembly is created?
1792: King Louis XVI is executed, establishment of the Directoire which eventually leads to Oligarchy of Committee of Public Safety
What was the Committee of Public Safety?
where a few politicians decided how to make France secure from monarchy – leads to “Reign of Terror” – Committee of Public Safety puts on trial and executes anyone they see as a threat to democracy (executes 50,000 in Paris and over 200,000 throughout the country)
What was one of the main differences between the French and American Revolution?
American revolution was based on colonial history of democracy (were very practiced on how to run a govt so when Americans take over, these practices are in place) vs. French history of Absolutism where vast majority of power is King’s (for almost 200 years, divine right of kings is present) so the people of France are not nearly as practiced at diplomatic methods
What was different between the US Constitution and the Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen? (2)
- America was permitted gradual participation (at the time of our founding, only landowning white men 21+ could vote) in democracy while France permitted immediate universal suffrage regardless of education level, etc. Eventually leads to mob rule and drastic change in laws
- Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen states it is the right of the govt to secure the people and protect them from themselves
Who became the consul and eventual emperor of France in 1800?
Napoleon becomes the consul of France, he is a french war hero who had conquered Italy to spread the ideas of the French Revolution
What did Emperor Napoleon believe was the best defense?
A good offense
What areas did Napoleon conquer?
Conquered most of Europe, defeated the Holy Roman Empire, Italy and the Prussian Empire (modern day Germany), bordered Empire of Russia and changed the face and political climate of Europe
Who were Napoleon’s enemies?
Made enemies with Austrian Empire, Prussian Empire, Russian Empire and British Empire
He disrupted shipping for Britain by blockading Britain’s trading partners which leads him into conflict with Britain
What did Napoleon do for the countries that he conquered?
He put his family members in charge of conquered nations (i.e. his brother replaced King of France), and put social structure in place to foster equality (i.e. made sure education was accessible to all classes, opening of the Lycees)
What were the Napoleonic laws?
based on the ideas of the Enlightenment, guarantees human rights and becomes basis for modern French Law
Exception: he did not keep the freedom of speech, he restricted it so he could monitor and silence any sedition against his rule
How did the Napoleonic laws impact the people of France and conquered nations?
Laws and social changes inspired greater participation of the working and middle classes in the countries he invaded
During Napoleon’s rule, _____ competition arises in the colonies, trying to break the _____ control over the rest of the world
French, English
What would lead to multiple defeats of Napoleon?
Britain was biggest competition and felt threatened by French so they join a coalition which defeats Napoleon two times, once in 1814 when they exiled him and again in 1815 at Battle of Waterloo – this is the start of the Congress of Vienna (Concert of Europe)
How did Napoleon change the face of Europe (2)?
- Expanded French Control and influence
- Permanently destroyed Holy Roman Empire which was a loose confederation of Germanic, North italian and Austrian countries who answered to the Holy Roman Emperor whose role was to solve dispute and protect the area. When the Holy Roman Emperor is no longer in power, there becomes tension and a power vacuum
What was the Congress of Vienna?
coalition between Austria, Russia, Prussia and Great Britain that tries to return Europe back to the way it was prior to the revolution after Napoleon’s defeat
What occurred under the Congress of Vienna?
- Restored the monarchies toppled by Napoleon and put countries back under foreign powers
- Returned sovereignty but failed to solve the social problems
Why did the Congress of Vienna create resentment and tension among the former conquered areas of Napoleon?
Some countries did not want to be under foreign power again (i.e. Poland was returned and divided again when it had actually been independent under Napoleon
Some countries resented sovereignty because they had more political participation under Napoleon
What was the basis behind the 1830 European Revolutions?
some ethnic nationalities want freedom from foreign powers, inspired by the brief time they were their own entity under protection of Napoleon
Inspired by Nationalism
Most revolutions were put down
While most revolutions were put down in the 1830’s, what countries were the exception?
Belgium is the exception, it maintains its freedom from Dutch Netherlands and Greece is the other; gains freedom not from European power but from Ottoman Empire
What were the basis behind the 1848 Revolutions?
Inspired by ethnic nationalism or class struggles
Class struggle inspired by spread of industrial revolution
A desire for individual rights and freedoms tasted during freedom of French takeover
All put down, but nationalism and socialism gained ground as foundations for further revolutions
What is the idea behind Nation States that arrive as a result of revolutions?
New idea, based on the assumption that political boundaries contain national identities (concept behind Serbians trying to gain independence from Austria, they believed their national identity was separate from Austria)
The idea that there is linguistic and cultural unity as well as central power
Napoleon’s conquests changed the face of Europe and inspired two types of Nationalism. What were these two types of Nationalism?
Unification Nationalism and Seperatist Nationalism
What was Unification nationalism?
bringing together small states that have similar ethnicity
What was an example of Unification Nationalism in what is now modern day Germany?
Modern day Germany which was made of Kingdom of Prussia and Kingdom of Bavaria
Prussia was for unification of Germany and wanted to lead it.
What was an example of Unification Nationalism in what is now modern day Italy?
Kingdom of Sardinia, Kingdom of Naples (Southern = Garibaldi, used red shirts to unify southern half of Italy). Unified later means they were also late to industrialism and imperialism, leads to Italy’s motivation for their aggression prior to WWII
With the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, there is a power vacuum that causes tension between European states, especially in what two countries?
especially in Austria and Prussia
What was the basis of the Austria Prussian war in 1860’s?
war over Prussia’s want of a single German state (two most powerful countries), Prussians win and begins the creation of modern day Germany.
What war occurs after the Austria Prussian war and what develops because of it?
The Franco- Prussian war then happens and the Prussians win again creating unification of Germany in 1871. Alsace Lorraine is given to Germany and holds iron-ore. Builds seeds of resentment between Germany and France
Which leader is the reponsible for creating the motivation for the Franco Prussian war and the unification of Germany?
Otto Von Bismarck
What was the Crimean War?
A fight originally between Russians and Ottomans that ends up being a war with Britain and France supporting the Ottomans against Russia (Austria stays neutral)
Russia was seeking a warm weather port and access to Suez canal for trade routes – they do this by encouraging ethnic national tension within Ottoman Empire – they wanted to inspire rebellions there. Britain and France didn’t want Russia to have a warm water port and take a piece of their trade pie so they support Ottomans against ethnic nationalities that want freedom. Austria wants political hegemony over the countries, not to Russia so they stay neutral
In what way did the Fall of the Roman empire in 1806 lead to the start of WWI over 100 years later?
Austro-Hungarian Empire essentially takes over much of the land from the Holy Roman Empire and combines a lot of different ethnicities, many of whom had tasted a bit of independence and freedom under Napoleon (i.e. Poland), separate nationalities start to thrive on separatist nationalism. There are serbians, bosnians, hungarians, etc. Eventually leads to independence movements, particularly in the Balkan peninsula – leads to 1908 Balkan crisis where Serbia gets its independence but some Serbians were still under Austrian rule – this leads to trigger of WWI
Before the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century, there was industrialization in the 18th Century. What were characteristics of this early industrialization?
creates trend of mercantilism: overseas colonies used for extraction of raw materials brought back to manufactured mother country, mostly in Northern Europe in England and France
What were the motivations behind mercantilism in a period of early industrialization?
Motivation was 1) get involved in Indian Ocean trade market
and
2) wanted to balance trade between themselves in Asia in the world market
What were the first European items desired in Asia?
European textiles were the first European items desired in Asia
Long history of textile manufacturing in Europe, handloom was invented in Europe during middle ages
Slow, labor intensive and limited supplies made it expensive
What were some of the early mechanized machines that were developed to make textile manufacturing easier?
- Mechanical cotton gins and cotton spinning machines invented
- Development of the steam engine in the later 18th century allowed for the establishment of the textile factories and the movement of factories to the resources cutting down on transportation $
- Colonial production (North America) concentrating mostly on cotton production → intensive use of slave labor in order to keep costs down
Why did England and France build a rivalry in early industrialization?
Spain and Portugal during this time don’t adapt to the ways of manufacturing like England and France so they get left behind. Would lead to rivalry between England and France
Why did the Industrial Revolution not take off until the late 19th century?
not a result of French Revolution but because of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars, the Industrial Revolution it doesn’t take hold in most of Europe, except for England
What is the difference between the industrialization of the 18th and 19th centuries?
In the 19th century, it is more widespread and permanent than the proto-industrialism and mercantilism of the 18th century
Why was England first to take grasp of the Industrial Revolution?
While the rest of Europe was ravaged by war, England had political and economic stability, no battles from French Revolution or Napoleonic wars took place on England’s soil. Vast majority of Europe couldn’t catch up until end of Napoleonic wars in 1815. Inspires other countries to become peaceful and catch up so they could boost their economies, becomes a catalyst for unifying, economics begin to drive political decision
What five things did England have going for them in the Industrial Revolution?
- Technical knowledge and invention coming from entrepreneurs
- Large population to serve as a workforce
- Natural resources (coal, iron)
- Investment capital to build factories
- Stable, capitalist minded government
What were consequences of the Industrial Revolution?
- Capitalist economy, all businesses are in it for profit
- Wage earning economy, now people are migrating towards cities
- Factory based manufacturing rather than home based
- Urban population leads to overcrowding
- New workforce - slavery declined (because you want a working class motivated to work), rise in need for urban workers, working class women and children entered the workforces b/c they could work for cheaper
- Class struggles
Why did class struggles arise during the Industrial Revolution?
working force is put at disadvantage, upper classes invested in or produced land, and middle classes were entrepreneurs and inventors. Working class feels exploitation and have long hours
What were some of the responses to the worker struggles presented in the Industrial Revolution?
Socialism, Communism, Social Democracy
