Unit 4: Topic 6 - Internal and External Challenges to State Power from 1450 to 1750 Flashcards
General Resistance to Power
From 1450 to 1750, empires expanded into new territories and conquered more people groups. However, as empires grew, internal resistance to their advancement grew stiffer. Internal groups began to socially, economically, or politically challenge the empires and try to gain their freedom.
Ndongo Empire
Queen Ana Nzinga of the Ndogo Empire, modern-day Angola, led a resistance against Portuguese encroachment and slave trading of her people. She first began negotiations with the Portuguese, but when they didn’t respect their agreement, she made a treaty with the Dutch and led a campaign that captured part of the lost land against the Portuguese.
Cossack Rebellion
The Cossacks, a group of people in eastern Russia, led a rebellion against Catherine the Great that gained the support of Russian serfs. They had lots of support until a crushing defeat at Tsaritsyn, now Volgograd. In response, Catherine the Great repealed much of her attempts to emancipate serfdom.
Metacom’s War
Metacom, a Wampanoag Chieften also known as King Phillip in the New England area, led a rebellion against Puritan encroachment on his land. His rebellion is considered the most constly war in Colonial American History, and succeeded in delaying much of New England expansion. His rebellion was one of the last great efforts against english settler expansion in US history.
Slave Resistance to Power
As slavery increased, the resistance to its advancement did as well. Enslaved people would attempt to overthrow their rulers, motivated by terrible conditions and no conventional way to freedom. There have been many documented attempts to escape, but few are successful due to authorities siding with the slave owner.
Stono Rebellion
During the Stono Rebellion, 20 enslaved people in South Carolina gathered and attacked a warehouse. They collected more support from enslaved people in the area. Eventually, they faced off against the British, but they lost, and stricter laws were put in place to keep enslaved people from rebelling in the future.
The Maroon War
Enslaved people in Jamaica called the Windward Maroons led a rebellion in Jamaica that ultimately ended with their freedom and recognition as their own entity under British control. Their government was still considered part of the British Empire, but they elected their leaders and made laws so long as they helped the British in their times of need.
Gloucester County Rebellion
This revolt was unique because enslaved Africans and white indentured servants worked together to demand their freedom. However, their plans were thwarted when the authorities found out and they were arrested.
