#AP World History: Modern - Internal and External Challenges to State Power ⚔️

Hey there, future AP World History master! 👋 Feeling a little overwhelmed? Don't worry, we've all been there. This guide is designed to be your ultimate last-minute resource, breaking down the key rebellions and revolts from 1450-1750 in a way that's easy to understand and remember. Let's get you feeling confident and ready to ace that exam!

This topic is HUGE! It’s all about how states faced resistance as they tried to expand their power. Expect to see this pop up in multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and free-response questions. Understanding the causes and effects of these challenges is crucial.

#🧭 Navigating the Challenges: 1450-1750

States weren't just expanding; they were constantly facing pushback. People, when pushed to the brink, will always challenge authority. Let's dive into some key examples:

#👑 Queen Nzinga vs. Portuguese Colonizers

#Who Was Queen Nzinga?

Queen Nzinga, a 17th-century badass from Ndongo and Matamba (modern-day Angola), was a master strategist, diplomat, and warrior. She's the epitome of #girlpower! 💪 She fought tooth and nail against Portuguese colonization, striving to unite African tribes and preserve their independence.

#What Was Her Interaction With the Portuguese?

Initially, Nzinga allied with the Portuguese to secure guns for her people. But, as the Portuguese got greedier, she switched sides, teaming up with the Dutch. They even kicked the Portuguese's butts in 1647! 💥 Although the Dutch bailed a year later, Nzinga kept fighting into her 60s, personally leading troops. Even though the Portuguese eventually took over after her death, her resistance is legendary.

Image Credit: wikipedia

#🇷🇺 Serfs vs. Russian Central Government

While West Africa was dealing with external threats, Russia was battling internal unrest. Russian serfs, oppressed since the Mongol era, faced increasing hardship. As serfdom declined in Europe, it only got worse in Russia. 😥

Escaped serfs formed communities called Cossacks, who were like the rebels of the steppes. They, under Yemelyan Pugachev, revolted against Catherine the Great. 👑

#Who Was Catherine the Great?

Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762-1796, was a total powerhouse! She was smart, politically savvy, and modernized Russia, turning it into a major European player. She expanded Russia's territory and supported the arts and sciences. She's considered one of Russia's greatest rulers, but even she couldn't stop the serf rebellion. 🤷‍♀️

Although the Cossacks had initial success, the government crushed the rebellion, leading to even harsher conditions for serfs. 😔

#🇮🇳 Maratha (Hindu Warriors) vs. Mughal Empire (Muslim)

In South Asia, the Muslim Mughals ruled over a majority Hindu population. This power imbalance led to major conflict. Hindu warriors, the Marathas, rebelled against Mughal rule from 1680-1707. They eventually killed the Mughal leader Aurangzeb, ending the Mughal Empire and establishing the Maratha Empire until 1818. 🤯

#Maratha Empire

The Maratha Empire, a Hindu state, was founded by the warrior Shivaji. They were known for their powerful military and dominated much of central and western India. Their rise marked the decline of Mughal power in the region.

#Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire, founded by Babur, was a Muslim state that ruled much of the Indian subcontinent. They were known for their cultural achievements, centralized government, and strong military. The empire reached its peak under Akbar the Great but eventually declined due to internal conflicts and external pressures.

#🏞️ Pueblos vs. Spanish

In the Americas, indigenous groups were not about to take European colonization lying down! The Pueblo Revolt in present-day New Mexico in 1680 saw the entire Pueblo community rise up against Spanish rule. ✊

#What Was The Pueblo Revolt?

Led by Popé, the Pueblo people kicked the Spanish out for 10 days! Though the Spanish returned in 1692 and brutally crushed the remaining resistance, the revolt is a powerful symbol of indigenous resistance.

#⛓️ Slaves vs. Slave Owners

In Jamaica, enslaved people fought back against their oppressors. When the British took over in 1655, many slaves escaped and formed communities called Maroons. These communities led revolts, though they were ultimately suppressed. The Gloucester County Rebellion in 1663 was the first slave revolt in the British American colonies. It was a multiracial rebellion of enslaved Africans and white indentured servants demanding freedom. 🤝

This revolt failed miserably. To prevent future rebellions, the Virginia government implemented racist policies, giving some rights to lower-class whites to divide and conquer. Black slaves remained enslaved for another 200 years. 💔

#🏹 Indigenous Tribes vs. British Colonists (Metacom’s War)

Native American tribes in New England, led by Metacom (aka King Phillip), made a last stand against British colonization in the 1670s. Metacom’s War was a bloody conflict that lasted 14 months. Although some tribes sided with the English, it was a major effort to reclaim Native land. 😥

The colonists ultimately defeated the Natives, marking a major blow to indigenous power in the region.

#✝️ Glorious Revolution: English Protestants vs. English Catholics

Back in England, religious tensions were brewing. The Catholic King James II's anti-Protestant policies led to the Glorious Revolution in 1688. William of Orange, backed by Protestants, overthrew James II without any bloodshed. William and Mary II took the throne, accepting joint powers with parliament and signing the English Bill of Rights. 📜

#💥 Rebellions & Revolts: A Quick Recap

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's what you absolutely need to nail for the exam:

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Causes and effects of state expansion and resistance.
  • The impact of religious and ethnic tensions on conflict.
  • The role of social hierarchies in rebellions.
  • The consequences of these revolts on the balance of power.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your understanding of specific events, their causes, and their consequences.
  • Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Be ready to compare and contrast different rebellions, or to explain the impact of a specific revolt.
  • Free Response Questions (FRQs): These will likely ask you to analyze the causes and effects of state expansion and resistance, or to compare and contrast different forms of resistance.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back to it later.
  • Common Pitfalls: Don't just memorize facts; understand the connections between them. Pay attention to the specific wording of the questions. Don't forget to address all parts of the question.
  • Strategies: Use the documents provided in the FRQs to your advantage. Plan your essays before you start writing. Use specific examples to back up your claims.

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes a major cause of the Pueblo Revolt? (A) The imposition of new taxes by the Spanish colonial government (B) The forced conversion of Pueblo people to Christianity (C) The expansion of English settlements into Pueblo territory (D) The economic competition between Pueblo and Spanish traders

2. The Maratha rebellion against the Mughal Empire is best understood in the context of: (A) The spread of Enlightenment ideals in South Asia (B) The conflict between Hindu and Muslim communities (C) The competition for resources between different Indian states (D) The influence of European colonial powers in the region

3. Which of the following was a significant consequence of the Glorious Revolution in England? (A) The establishment of a Catholic monarchy (B) The expansion of royal power (C) The signing of the English Bill of Rights (D) The outbreak of civil war

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the causes and consequences of TWO of the following rebellions or revolts in the period 1450-1750:

• Queen Nzinga's resistance to Portuguese colonization
• The Pueblo Revolt
• Metacom's War (King Philip's War)

Scoring Breakdown

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line of reasoning.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the topic.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the topic. Supports an argument in response to the prompt using specific and relevant evidence.
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the thesis/argument. Uses historical reasoning skills (e.g., comparison, causation, continuity and change) to frame an argument.

Example Response (for Queen Nzinga and the Pueblo Revolt):

Thesis: Both Queen Nzinga's resistance to Portuguese colonization and the Pueblo Revolt were driven by a desire to maintain political and cultural autonomy in the face of European expansion, but they achieved different levels of success in the long term.

Contextualization: The period between 1450 and 1750 saw a dramatic increase in European colonial expansion, which led to numerous conflicts and resistance movements by indigenous populations and other groups seeking to preserve their independence.

Evidence (Queen Nzinga): Queen Nzinga initially allied with the Portuguese to secure guns but later turned against them due to their exploitative practices. She formed alliances with the Dutch and led her troops in battle to protect her land. Her resistance was a significant challenge to Portuguese colonial ambitions in Angola.

Evidence (Pueblo Revolt): The Pueblo people, led by Popé, revolted against Spanish colonial rule due to forced labor, cultural suppression, and religious persecution. They successfully drove the Spanish out of the region for a period of time, demonstrating their power to resist colonial oppression.

Analysis and Reasoning: Queen Nzinga's resistance, while fierce and strategic, ultimately did not prevent Portuguese colonization of Angola. The Pueblo Revolt, on the other hand, was more successful in the short term, resulting in a temporary period of independence. However, the Spanish eventually returned, highlighting the challenges of maintaining resistance against powerful colonial forces. Both rebellions demonstrate the determination of indigenous peoples to resist European encroachment, even when faced with overwhelming odds.

Alright, you've got this! You're armed with knowledge, strategies, and a whole lot of AP World History awesomeness. Go out there and crush that exam! 💪🎉