AP European History Study Guide: European Expansion 🌍

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the AP Euro exam with a super-focused review of European Expansion. We'll break down the key stuff, make it memorable, and get you feeling confident. Let's do this!

Age of Exploration and Colonial Rivalries

Spain & Portugal: The OG Colonizers

• Spain and Portugal kicked off the colonial game, sparking major competition among European powers.
• Spain became a powerhouse in the 1500s, dominating the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
• Portugal also grabbed significant land in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
• This early dominance fueled other European countries' desire to get in on the action. 🌊

Caption: The expansion of the Spanish and Portuguese empires across the globe.

The Dutch: Masters of Trade

• The Dutch jumped into exploration in the early 1600s, colonizing New York thanks to Henry Hudson.
• The Dutch East India Company became a major player, taking over many Portuguese trading posts.
• Why were they so successful?
  • Autonomous provinces run by merchant oligarchies.
  • The largest merchant marine fleet in Europe.
  • Spread of Calvinism.
  • Religious and intellectual tolerance that boosted economic growth. 💡

Caption: A map showing the extent of Dutch colonies in North America.

France: Fish, Fur, and Faith

• French motives: fish, fur, and spreading Catholicism (faith).
• Haiti became a major colony with profitable sugar plantations using enslaved Africans.
• France also tried to get into India but lost out to the British after the Seven Years' War.

Colonial Conflicts: It's Getting Heated

Key Conflicts

• Asiento:
  • A contract that allowed the sale of enslaved Africans in Spanish colonies.
  • Initially granted to Portugal, later expanded to other European nations.
  • Increased economic competition and the horrific practice of slavery.
• War of the Spanish Succession:
  • Started with the death of Charles II of Spain, who had no heir.
  • Other European nations feared French control over Spain.
  • Ended with the Treaty of Utrecht, recognizing Philip as King of Spain.

* **Seven Years' War:** * Fought between major European powers over European and colonial dominance. * Ended with the **Treaty of Paris**. * * **Treaty of Tordesillas:** * Divided South America between Portugal (east) and Spain (west). *

• Notice how economic competition (like the Asiento) directly led to political conflicts (like the War of Spanish Succession and the Seven Years' War).
• Religious motives (like French Catholicism) often intertwined with economic and political goals.
• These conflicts reshaped the balance of power in Europe and the world.

Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Colonial rivalries and their impact on European power dynamics.
  • The economic and social consequences of the transatlantic slave trade.
  • The role of mercantilism in driving colonial expansion.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Understanding the causes and effects of specific conflicts.
  • Short Answer: Analyzing the motivations behind European exploration and colonization.
  • Free Response: Comparing and contrasting different colonial empires or analyzing the long-term impacts of European expansion.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
  • Common Pitfalls: Not connecting events to broader themes; focusing too much on memorizing dates instead of understanding the big picture.
  • Strategies: Outline your FRQs before writing; use specific evidence to support your claims.

Practice Question

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was a primary motivation for European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries? a) The desire to spread democracy b) The pursuit of religious freedom c) The search for new trade routes to Asia d) The establishment of scientific research centers
2. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) primarily aimed to: a) End the religious wars in Europe b) Divide the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal c) Establish a common currency for European trade d) Create a military alliance against the Ottoman Empire
3. The Asiento system directly contributed to: a) The end of the transatlantic slave trade b) Increased economic competition among European powers c) The spread of religious tolerance in the colonies d) The establishment of democratic institutions in the Americas

Free Response Question

Analyze the political, economic, and social factors that contributed to the rise of European colonial empires in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Point Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt's main points.
• Political Factors (2 points): Identifies and explains at least two political factors, such as:
  • Rivalry between European states for power and prestige.
  • The desire to establish strategic military and naval bases.
  • The role of monarchs in sponsoring and supporting colonial endeavors.
• Economic Factors (2 points): Identifies and explains at least two economic factors, such as:
  • Mercantilism and the pursuit of wealth through trade and resources.
  • The demand for raw materials and new markets.
  • The role of joint-stock companies in financing colonial ventures.
• Social Factors (2 points): Identifies and explains at least two social factors, such as:
  • Religious zeal and the desire to convert indigenous populations.
  • The impact of the Enlightenment on ideas about race and civilization.
  • The role of population growth and social mobility in driving migration.
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the complexity of the topic by connecting it to other historical periods or themes.

Short Answer Question

Explain how the competition for colonies between European powers led to conflicts in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Let's crush this exam! You've got the knowledge, and now you have a killer study guide. Go get 'em! 💪