MODULE 16

Expansion, Exploration, and Encounters

COMPLETE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
30 Pages | All 6 Lessons | Questions & Answers Included

Lessons Covered:
L1: The Mughal Empire in India
L2: Europeans Explore the East
L3: China and Japan Reject Expansion
L4: Spain Builds an American Empire
L5: European Nations Settle North America
L6: The Atlantic Slave Trade
Table of Contents

Lesson 1: The Mughal Empire in India Page 3

Lesson 2: Europeans Explore the East Page 6
Lesson 3: China and Japan Reject Expansion Page 9
Lesson 4: Spain Builds an American Empire Page 12
Lesson 5: European Nations Settle North America Page 15
Lesson 6: The Atlantic Slave Trade Page 18
Multiple Choice Questions (with Answers) Page 21
True or False Questions (with Answers) Page 23
Essay Questions (with Model Answers) Page 25
REVISION SUMMARY — All 6 Lessons Page 27
LESSON 1: THE MUGHAL EMPIRE IN INDIA
The Mughal Empire was one of the greatest empires in Indian history. It was founded in the 16th
century and controlled most of the Indian subcontinent for over 200 years.

1.1 Early History of the Mughals

India had a long history of invasion and political turmoil before the Mughals arrived. After the fall of the
Gupta Empire in the late 400s, India entered an unsettled period. Nomads from central Asia invaded,
creating many small kingdoms. In the 700s, Muslims arrived, beginning centuries of conflict with the
Hindu population.
A group of Muslim Turks eventually conquered the region around Delhi, setting up an empire there.
They ruled over the Hindus as conquered peoples. Their rule ended in 1398.

Babur — Founder of the Mughal Empire

• Who was Babur?: A new leader named Babur raised an army and began conquering large
parts of India in the early 1500s.
• Military Genius: Babur was an excellent general who used superior military tactics to defeat
larger armies.
• Origin of the Name 'Mughal': The empire was called the Mughal Empire because Babur and
his family were related to the Mongols.

1.2 Akbar's Golden Age

Babur's grandson Akbar became one of the greatest rulers in world history. His name literally means
'Great.' He ruled for almost 40 years with exceptional wisdom and fairness.

Key Facts About Akbar

• Ruled from 1556 to 1605
• Was a Muslim but strongly believed in religious freedom
• Both Hindus and Muslims worked in his government
• He hired government workers based on ability, not religion
• Ended the special tax that non-Muslims had to pay
• Taxed people on a percentage of their food — making taxes fair for all
• His army helped him win and hold over 100 million people — more than all of Europe at
the time
• His policy of cultural blending created two new languages: Hindi and Urdu
• The empire became famous for art, literature, and architecture under his reign
• He sponsored the building of a beautiful new capital city

1.3 Akbar's Successors and the Decline of the Empire

Jahangir (ruled after Akbar's death in 1605)
 • Akbar's son Jahangir took control after his father's death.
• During Jahangir's reign, the real power was his wife, Nur Jahan.
• Nur Jahan had bitter political battles with the Sikhs — members of a religion based on equality
among all people.

Shah Jahan
• Religious Policy: Did not follow Akbar's tolerance — moved away from religious equality.
• Great Patron of the Arts: Built many beautiful buildings, including the famous Taj Mahal — a
magnificent tomb built for his beloved wife.
• Economic Problems: His expensive building projects required very high taxes, causing great
suffering among his people.

Aurangzeb — Last Important Mughal Emperor (1658–1707)

• Ruled for 50 years: One of the longest reigns in Indian history.
• Religious Intolerance: Was a devout Muslim who punished Hindus and destroyed their
temples.
• Hindu Rebellion: His policies led to a major rebellion. Shivaji was an important Hindu leader
who led the Marathas — a community that set up their own state in southwest India.
• Sikh Resistance: The Sikhs won control of part of the empire in the northwest.
• Economic Collapse: Aurangzeb used up the empire's resources and lost the loyalty of the
people.
• Legacy: After his reign, local lords gained power and only a patchwork of independent states
remained. The Mughal emperor became a figurehead with no real power.

1.4 The Fall of the Mughal Empire

As the Mughal Empire weakened, Western traders were building power in India. Aurangzeb even
handed Western traders the port of Bombay — giving India's future conquerors a crucial foothold in the
country. This set the stage for eventual European (especially British) domination of India.

KEY TERMS — Lesson 1

• Babur — founder of the Mughal Empire
• Mughal — name of the empire on the Indian subcontinent
• Akbar — the greatest Mughal emperor; ruled 1556–1605
• Sikh — member of a religion based on equality; enemy of the Mughals
• Shah Jahan — Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal; ruled 1628–1658
• Taj Mahal — magnificent tomb built by Shah Jahan for his wife
• Aurangzeb — last important Mughal emperor, 1658–1707
• Shivaji — Hindu warrior king and founder of the Marathas
LESSON 2: EUROPEANS EXPLORE THE EAST
In the 1400s and 1500s, European nations became eager to find new trade routes to Asia. This era of
exploration changed the world forever, connecting distant civilizations and launching the age of
European global power.

2.1 Why Did Europeans Explore?

Two main reasons drove European exploration in the 1400s:
• Wealth: Europeans hoped to find new, faster routes to Asia — the source of valuable spices
and luxury goods. Arab traders controlled existing land routes, making goods extremely
expensive.
• Religion: Spreading Christianity to new lands was another major motivation for many explorers
and rulers.

2.2 New Technology — The Caravel

Advances in technology made long ocean voyages possible for the first time in history.
• The Caravel: A new kind of ship, the caravel, was stronger than earlier ships and had triangle-
shaped (lateen) sails that allowed it to sail against the wind.
• Ships could now travel far out into the open ocean and navigate more precisely.
• Better maps and the magnetic compass also helped sailors navigate.

2.3 Portugal Leads the Way

Prince Henry the Navigator
• Who was he?: The son of Portugal's king, Prince Henry was deeply committed to the idea of
exploration.
• His Contribution: Portugal made the best use of new sailing technology. The Portuguese
monarchy also invested heavily in overseas exploration.
• Prince Henry sponsored many voyages down the African coast, earning himself the nickname
'the Navigator.'

Portuguese Exploration of Africa

• Bartolomeu Dias (1488): Reached the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope), proving
ships could sail around Africa.
• Vasco da Gama (1498): Sailed all the way around Africa and reached India, giving Portugal a
direct sea route to the wealth of Asia. This was a massive achievement.
• Over several decades, Portuguese captains sailed farther and farther down the west coast of
Africa, mapping the continent.
2.4 Spanish Exploration
Christopher Columbus: Meanwhile, Spain was planning its own explorations. In 1492, Christopher
Columbus led a voyage sailing WEST — hoping to reach Asia by going the other direction. Instead, he
landed in the Americas — a land previously unknown to Europeans.
Rivalry with Portugal: Spain and Portugal both began competing for territory, leading to a serious
dispute over who owned the newly discovered lands.

2.5 The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

To resolve the conflict between Spain and Portugal, the Pope helped negotiate the Treaty of
Tordesillas. This treaty divided the entire world into two zones:
• Portugal's zone: The eastern parts — including Africa, India, and other parts of Asia.
• Spain's zone: The western parts — including most of the Americas.
• This was an extraordinary agreement — two countries literally dividing the world between
themselves!

2.6 The Dutch and English Enter Asia

In the 1600s, the English and Dutch entered the East Indies and quickly challenged Portuguese power
in the region.

East India Companies

• Both England and the Dutch: Set up an East India Company to control Asian trade.
• Dutch East India Company: Was richer and more powerful than England's company. It
became one of the wealthiest organizations in history.
• More Than a Business: These companies were like governments. They had the power to mint
money, sign treaties, and raise their own armies.

KEY TERMS — Lesson 2

• Prince Henry — Portuguese supporter of exploration; 'the Navigator'
• Bartolomeu Dias — Portuguese explorer who rounded the tip of Africa (1488)
• Vasco da Gama — explorer who gave Portugal a direct sea route to India (1498)
• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) — treaty dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and
Portugal
• Dutch East India Company — Dutch company that established and directed trade
throughout Asia
• Caravel — new type of ship with triangle sails that could sail against the wind
LESSON 3: CHINA AND JAPAN REJECT EXPANSION
While Europe was expanding outward, two major Asian powers — China and Japan — chose very
different paths. Both eventually turned inward, rejecting foreign influence.

3.1 China Under the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Hongwu — First Ming Emperor
• End of Mongol Rule: Mongol rule in China ended in 1368 when Hongwu took control of the
country and declared himself the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
• Reforms: Hongwu began his reign by increasing food production and improving the
government.

Yonglo — Hongwu's Son

• Continued Good Governance: Yonglo continued his father's positive policies and further
strengthened the empire.
• Zheng He's Voyages: Under Yonglo, the Muslim admiral Zheng He led seven major
exploration voyages to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa.
• Wherever Zheng He went, he gave away gifts to show Chinese superiority and power.
• These voyages demonstrated that China had the technology to explore — but China chose not
to colonize.

3.2 China Isolates Itself

Despite having the power to explore and expand, China ultimately turned inward.
• Isolation Policy: The Ming government eventually tried to isolate China from the world.
• European Trade Continues: Despite this, Europeans continued to trade for Chinese ceramics
and silk — goods in huge demand in Europe.
• Christian Missionaries: Missionaries brought Christianity and new technology to China,
creating cultural tensions.

3.3 The Qing Dynasty (1644–)

By 1600, the Ming Dynasty had weakened from internal rebellion and external pressure.
• The Manchus Take Over: The Manchus — people from Manchuria, northeast of China — took
control in 1644 and established the Qing Dynasty.

Two Important Qing Emperors

• Kangxi: A powerful Manchu emperor who was known for wise governance.
• Qian-long (Kangxi's grandson): Together, Kangxi and Qian-long brought China to its largest
territorial size, greatly increased its wealth, and sponsored a great increase in artistic
production.
Society Under Ming and Qing
• Population Growth: Improved farming methods, food production, and nutrition caused the
population to grow significantly.
• Discrimination Against Women: In Chinese culture, females were not valued. Many infant
girls were killed, and adult women had very few rights.

3.4 Feudal Japan — Civil War

The Age of the Daimyo
• Long Civil War: From 1467 to 1568, Japan entered a long, dark period of civil war.
• Daimyo: Powerful warrior-chieftains called daimyo took control of large areas of land and
commanded private armies of samurai warriors.
• The daimyo fought each other constantly to gain land and power.
• Japan was deeply fragmented with no central authority.

3.5 Unification of Japan

Three Key Unifiers
• Oda Nobunaga: A powerful daimyo who hoped to control all of Japan. He seized the capital city
of Kyoto and began the process of unification.
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi: A daimyo who took control of almost all of Japan after Nobunaga.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu: Completed the unification of Japan. He became the shogun — the sole ruler
of Japan — and moved the capital to what would become Tokyo.
• The Tokugawa government brought about a long period of peace and prosperity for most
Japanese people.

3.6 Japanese Culture

• Kabuki: A traditional form of Japanese theater depicting dramas of urban life, which thrived in
the cities.
• Haiku: A type of Japanese poetry that presents images rather than ideas — became very
popular among the educated class.

3.7 Japan Rejects Europe

• European Missionaries Arrive: In the mid-1500s, European traders and missionaries began
arriving in Japan.
• Cultural Conflict: Some missionaries scorned traditional Japanese beliefs and got involved in
local politics — creating serious tensions.
• Christianity Banned (1612): Tokugawa banned Christianity from the country. Christians were
persecuted severely.
• Closed Country Policy: For the next 200 years, Japan remained closed to most European
contact. All of Japan's shoguns during this time descended from Tokugawa Ieyasu — this line of
rulers is called the Tokugawa Shogunate (ruled 1603–1868).
KEY TERMS — Lesson 3
• Hongwu — commander who drove out the Mongols; first Ming emperor (1368)
• Ming Dynasty — Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644
• Yonglo — Ming ruler; son of Hongwu
• Zheng He — Muslim admiral who led seven exploration voyages during the Ming
Dynasty
• Manchus — people from Manchuria who founded the Qing Dynasty
• Qing Dynasty — Chinese dynasty begun by the Manchus; followed the Ming Dynasty
• Kangxi — powerful Manchu emperor of the Qing Dynasty
• Daimyo — Japanese warrior-chieftain commanding a private army of samurai
• Oda Nobunaga — daimyo who seized Kyoto and began unifying Japan
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi — daimyo who took control of almost all of Japan
• Kabuki — type of Japanese theater
• Haiku — type of Japanese poetry
• Tokugawa Shogunate — dynasty that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868
LESSON 4: SPAIN BUILDS AN AMERICAN EMPIRE
Following Columbus's voyages, Spain rapidly built a powerful empire in the Americas, conquering great
civilizations and creating a colonial system that would last for centuries.

4.1 Columbus and the Discovery of the Americas

• The Voyage (1492): Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor, led a Spanish-funded voyage. He
sailed west hoping to reach Asia.
• A New World: Instead, he landed in the Americas — a world entirely unknown to Europeans.
• Naming the Natives: Columbus thought he had reached the East Indies in Asia, so he called
the native people he encountered 'Indians' — a name that stuck for centuries.
• Claiming for Spain: He claimed the land for Spain. From then on, Spain began to create
colonies — lands controlled by another nation.

4.2 The Americas Are Named

• Portuguese Exploration (1500): A Portuguese explorer claimed Brazil for Portugal.
• Amerigo Vespucci (1501): An explorer named Amerigo Vespucci explored the eastern coast of
South America.
• The Name 'America': Soon after, a mapmaker recognized these as a separate, new continent
and named them 'America' after Vespucci. This name stuck for both continents.

4.3 The Conquistadors

The conquistadors were Spanish explorers and conquerors who, beginning in the 16th century,
conquered the great civilizations of the Americas using military force, disease, and strategy.

Hernando Cortes and the Aztec Empire

• The Conquest (1519): Cortes came to Mexico with a small army and defeated the powerful
Aztec Empire, which was led by Emperor Montezuma II.
• Cortes used alliances with native tribes who resented Aztec rule, as well as European diseases
(like smallpox) that devastated the Aztec population.

Francisco Pizarro and the Inca Empire

• The Conquest (~1532): About 15 years after Cortes, Francisco Pizarro led another Spanish
force and conquered the mighty Inca Empire of South America.
• Atahualpa: The last Incan emperor, Atahualpa, was captured and eventually killed by the
Spanish, ending the Inca Empire.

4.4 Colonizing the Americas — The Encomienda System

After conquest, Spain established a colonial system to control and exploit the Americas.
 • Spanish Integration: The Spanish lived among the people they conquered. Spanish men often
married native women, creating a mixed population.
• Mestizo: The term for a person with mixed Spanish and Native American blood.
• Encomienda System: The Spanish set up large farms and mines that used native people as
slave labor. This brutal system was called the encomienda.

4.5 Spanish Control — Church and State

• Catholic Church: Catholic priests traveled with the conquistadors and converted many Native
Americans to Christianity.
• Spain Wants More Power: Spain continuously sought to expand its control over more territory
in the Americas.

4.6 Criticism of the Encomienda

• Bartolome de Las Casas: A monk named Bartolome de Las Casas was an important voice of
protest. He and other priests successfully called for the end of the encomienda system.
• Las Casas argued that Native Americans were human beings with rights and should not be
enslaved.
• His writings were influential in changing Spanish colonial policy, though conditions for native
people remained harsh.

4.7 Native American Resistance

• Ongoing Resistance: Native Americans continually resisted Spanish rule throughout the
colonial period.
• New Mexico Rebellion: One of the most serious rebellions occurred in New Mexico, where
native Pueblo people revolted against Spanish authority.
• Native American resistance — though often unsuccessful against Spanish military power — was
a persistent feature of colonial life.

KEY TERMS — Lesson 4

• Christopher Columbus — Italian explorer, sailing for Spain, who landed in the Americas
(1492)
• Colony — land controlled by another nation
• Hernando Cortes — conquistador who defeated the Aztec Empire, conquering Mexico
• Conquistadors — Spanish explorers who conquered the Americas in the 16th century
• Francisco Pizarro — conquistador who defeated the Incan Empire, conquering Peru
• Atahualpa — last Incan emperor, defeated and killed by the Spanish
• Mestizo — person with mixed Spanish and Native American blood
• Encomienda — system of mining and farming using natives as slave labor
LESSON 5: EUROPEAN NATIONS SETTLE NORTH
AMERICA
While Spain dominated South and Central America, other European powers — France, England, and
the Dutch — competed fiercely for control of North America.

5.1 French Exploration and New France

Jacques Cartier and French Exploration
• Early Exploration (1500s): In the early 1500s, the French began to explore North America.
• Jacques Cartier: Jacques Cartier discovered and named the St. Lawrence River, which
became a key gateway to the interior of North America.

New France
• French Expansion: Over the next 100 years, the French explored and claimed the area around
the Great Lakes and the entire Mississippi River, all the way to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico.
• New France: The vast area claimed by France became known as New France.
• Main Economic Activity: The main activity in New France was the fur trade. French traders
had generally good relationships with Native Americans, relying on them as trading partners.

5.2 English Colonization

Jamestown — First Permanent English Settlement
• Jamestown (1607): The English also began to colonize North America. The first permanent
English settlement was at Jamestown, in modern Virginia, in 1607.
• Struggles: The colony struggled greatly at first. Many settlers died from disease, hunger, or
conflict with native peoples.
• Tobacco Saves the Colony: Eventually, farmers began growing tobacco to meet the high
demand for it in Europe. Tobacco became enormously profitable and saved the colony.

The Pilgrims and Puritans

• Pilgrims (1620): In 1620, a group known as Pilgrims founded a second English colony at
Plymouth. These were deeply religious people seeking freedom from the Church of England.
• Puritans (1630): Another group of religious dissenters, the Puritans, founded a colony at
Massachusetts Bay in 1630.
• Both groups came to North America primarily for religious freedom.

5.3 The Caribbean — European Plantations

• Caribbean Colonies: Europeans also took possession of many islands of the Caribbean.
• Plantations: There they built tobacco and sugar plantations that used enslaved Africans as
workers.
 • The Caribbean became extremely profitable for European powers due to sugar production.

5.4 The Dutch — New Netherland

• Dutch Colony: The Dutch established a colony called New Netherland in an area that is now
New York.
• English Takeover: Eventually, the English forced the Dutch to give up their colony. New
Netherland became New York under English rule.

5.5 The French and Indian War (1754–1763)

Competition between European powers led to open conflict over North America.
• The Conflict: The British and French clashed over control of the Ohio Valley in 1754. This
conflict became known as the French and Indian War.
• Result (1763): When the war ended in 1763, France was forced to give up ALL of its land in
North America to England. This was a massive transfer of territory.
• Britain now controlled an enormous empire in North America, stretching from the Atlantic coast
to the Mississippi River.

5.6 Conflict with Native Americans

Relations between European colonists and Native Americans were often violent and destructive.

English Settlers vs. Native Americans

• Land Conflict: Native Americans had much stormier relations with English colonists than with
the French. The English wanted to settle the land and farm it permanently — leaving no room
for Native American hunting grounds.
• Disease, violence, and displacement devastated Native American populations across North
America.

King Philip's War

• Metacom (King Philip): One of the bloodiest conflicts was King Philip's War. The Native
American ruler Metacom — also known as King Philip — led an attack on colonial villages
throughout Massachusetts.
• Outcome: After a year of fierce fighting, the British colonists defeated the Native Americans.
This effectively ended organized Native American resistance in New England.

KEY TERMS — Lesson 5

• New France — area of the Americas explored and claimed by France
• Jamestown — first permanent English settlement in North America (1607)
• Pilgrims — group of English people who founded the colony of Plymouth in 1620
• Puritans — group of English people who founded a colony at Massachusetts Bay in 1630
• New Netherland — Dutch colony begun in an area that is now New York
• French and Indian War — war between Britain and France over land in North America
(1754–1763)
• Metacom — Native American leader who led King Philip's War against colonial villages
in Massachusetts
LESSON 6: THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
One of the darkest chapters in human history, the Atlantic Slave Trade forcibly removed millions of
Africans from their homes and transported them to the Americas as enslaved laborers. This lesson
examines its causes, operation, and lasting consequences.

6.1 Introduction — Why Did the Slave Trade Begin?

• Demand for Labor: Beginning around 1500, European colonists in the Americas who needed
cheap labor began using enslaved Africans on plantations and farms.
• European Exploration of Africa: The first Europeans to explore Africa were the Portuguese
during the 1400s. Initially, Portuguese traders were more interested in trading for gold than for
captured Africans.

6.2 Why Africans Were Targeted

Europeans saw specific advantages in using Africans as enslaved labor in the Americas:
• Disease Immunity: Many Africans had been exposed to European diseases through earlier
contact and had built up some immunity — unlike Native Americans, who died in huge numbers
from European diseases.
• Agricultural Knowledge: Many Africans had extensive experience in farming and could be
taught the specific work needed on plantations.
• Geographic Isolation: Africans were less likely to escape because they were in a completely
unfamiliar land and did not know their way around.

6.3 The Atlantic Slave Trade — Scale and Operation

• Massive Enterprise: In time, the buying and selling of Africans for work in the Americas —
known as the Atlantic Slave Trade — became a massive, global enterprise.
• Spain, as it colonized the American mainland, imported and enslaved thousands of Africans.
• As the sugar industry grew, so too did Portuguese colonists' demand for cheap labor — driving
the expansion of the slave trade.

How Were Slaves Obtained?

• African Merchants: African merchants captured other Africans to be enslaved. They then
delivered the enslaved people to European traders in exchange for gold, guns, and other goods.
• African Rulers: As the slave trade grew, some African rulers opposed the practice and refused
to cooperate. African merchants then developed new trade routes to bypass rulers who refused
to participate.
6.4 The Encomienda vs. Slavery
• A Key Difference: The Spanish landlords in the encomienda system had to give their word to
the Spanish crown that native workers would be treated well (though this rarely happened in
practice).
• For African slaves, European slaveholders made no such promise — enslaved Africans had NO
legal protections whatsoever.
• No Pay, No Freedom: African slaves were not paid for their labor and did not volunteer to enter
enslavement. They were kept on the plantations and given only basic shelter and food.

6.5 The Triangular Trade

The slave trade operated as part of a larger trading system known as the Triangular Trade — named
because it formed a rough triangle on a map.

The Three Legs of the Triangular Trade

• LEG 1 — Europe to Africa: Europeans transported manufactured goods (textiles, rum,
weapons) to the west coast of Africa.
• LEG 2 — Africa to Americas (Middle Passage): African merchants exchanged enslaved
people for the manufactured goods. The enslaved Africans were then shipped across the
Atlantic Ocean to the West Indies and the Americas. This terrible ocean crossing was
called the Middle Passage.
• LEG 3 — Americas to Europe: Raw materials (sugar, tobacco, cotton) produced by
enslaved labor were shipped from the Americas back to Europe, completing the triangle.

6.6 African Resistance

Enslaved Africans did not accept their fate passively. They resisted in many ways, both subtle and
direct.

Cultural Resistance
• Preserving Culture: Africans kept alive their musical traditions, stories of their ancestors,
religious practices, and languages.
• This cultural preservation was a powerful act of resistance and identity.

Active Resistance
• Economic Sabotage: Slaves made themselves less productive by breaking tools, uprooting
plants, and deliberately working slowly.
• Running Away: Thousands of enslaved Africans ran away from plantations, seeking freedom.

Violent Revolts
• Hispaniola Revolt (1522): As early as 1522, about 20 slaves on Hispaniola attacked and killed
several Spanish colonists in one of the first recorded slave revolts.
• Larger revolts occurred throughout Spanish settlements during the entire 16th century.
• Enslaved people never stopped fighting for their freedom.
6.7 Consequences of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Impact on Africa
• Family Destruction: Countless African families were torn apart by the slave trade. Most were
never reunited.
• Introduction of Guns: The slave trade devastated African societies by introducing guns into
the continent, fueling warfare and instability.
• Population Loss: The removal of millions of people severely weakened African societies and
economies.

Impact on the Americas

• Economic Contribution: African slaves contributed enormously to the economic development
of the Americas. Their greatest contribution was their labor — building the agricultural wealth of
colonies.
• Cultural Contributions: Slaves brought rich African culture with them. Their art, music, religion,
and food continue to profoundly influence American societies to this day.

KEY TERMS — Lesson 6

• Atlantic Slave Trade — the buying and selling of Africans for work in the Americas
• Triangular Trade — three-part trade system connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas
• Middle Passage — the horrific ocean crossing from Africa to the Americas for enslaved
people
QUESTIONS SECTION
All questions below are fully answered. Use these to test yourself, then check your understanding.
PART A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (20 Questions)
Circle the letter of the best answer. Correct answers are provided in green.

1. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire?

A) Akbar
B) Aurangzeb
C) Babur
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: C) Babur — He raised an army and conquered large parts of India in the early 1500s.
2. What does the name 'Mughal' relate to?
A) The Persian people
B) The Mongols
C) The Hindus
D) The Turks
Answer: B) The Mongols — Babur and his family were related to the Mongols.
3. What major languages emerged during Akbar's policy of cultural blending?
A) Arabic and Persian
B) Hindi and Urdu
C) Sanskrit and Tamil
D) Bengali and Punjabi
Answer: B) Hindi and Urdu — Hindi is widely spoken in India today; Urdu is Pakistan's official
language.
4. The Taj Mahal was built by which Mughal ruler?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Aurangzeb
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: D) Shah Jahan — He built the Taj Mahal as a magnificent tomb for his wife.
5. What new type of ship made long ocean voyages possible in the 1400s?
A) The galleon
B) The caravel
C) The dhow
D) The frigate
Answer: B) The caravel — It had triangle-shaped sails that could sail against the wind.
6. Who was the first European explorer to round the southern tip of Africa?
A) Vasco da Gama
B) Christopher Columbus
C) Bartolomeu Dias
D) Prince Henry
Answer: C) Bartolomeu Dias — He reached the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.
7. What did the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) do?
A) Ended a war between Spain and Portugal
B) Gave Africa to Portugal
C) Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal
D) Created the first European colonies in Asia
 Answer: C) Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal — with Portugal
getting the east and Spain the west.
8. Mongol rule in China ended in what year?
A) 1488
B) 1368
C) 1500
D) 1420
Answer: B) 1368 — Hongwu drove out the Mongols and became the first Ming emperor.
9. Zheng He was an admiral who led voyages under which Chinese emperor?
A) Hongwu
B) Kangxi
C) Yonglo
D) Qian-long
Answer: C) Yonglo — Zheng He led seven exploration voyages under Emperor Yonglo.
10. What cultural activity did Japanese townspeople enjoy that depicted dramas of urban life?
A) Haiku
B) Sumo wrestling
C) Kabuki
D) Tea ceremony
Answer: C) Kabuki — A traditional form of Japanese theater popular among city-dwellers.
11. Who completed the unification of Japan and became its sole ruler (shogun)?
A) Oda Nobunaga
B) Tokugawa Ieyasu
C) Toyotomi Hideyoshi
D) Zheng He
Answer: B) Tokugawa Ieyasu — He became shogun and moved the capital to what would
become Tokyo.
12. What was the Encomienda system?
A) A Spanish trading company
B) A system of mining and farming using natives as slave labor
C) A type of Spanish ship
D) A Catholic religious order
Answer: B) A system of mining and farming using natives as slave labor — it was one of
Spain's most brutal colonial institutions.
13. Francisco Pizarro conquered which empire?
A) The Aztec Empire
B) The Maya Empire
C) The Inca Empire
D) The Olmec Empire
Answer: C) The Inca Empire — He conquered the Inca Empire of South America, defeating the
last emperor Atahualpa.
14. What was the first permanent English settlement in North America?
A) Plymouth
B) Jamestown
C) New York
D) Boston
 Answer: B) Jamestown (1607) — Located in modern Virginia, it was the first lasting English
colony.
15. The French and Indian War ended in what year, with France giving all North American land
to England?
A) 1754
B) 1620
C) 1763
D) 1776
Answer: C) 1763 — France was forced to surrender all its North American territory to Britain.
16. Who led the Native American attack known as King Philip's War?
A) Sitting Bull
B) Metacom
C) Pontiac
D) Squanto
Answer: B) Metacom (also called King Philip) — He attacked colonial villages throughout
Massachusetts.
17. What were the three legs of the Triangular Trade?
A) Europe-Asia-Africa
B) Europe-Africa-Americas
C) Americas-Asia-Europe
D) Africa-Asia-Americas
Answer: B) Europe-Africa-Americas — Manufactured goods went to Africa; enslaved people
went to the Americas; raw materials returned to Europe.
18. Why were Africans seen as preferable to Native Americans for plantation labor?
A) Africans were stronger
B) Africans had immunity to some European diseases, farming experience, and were less likely to
escape
C) Africans were cheaper to transport
D) Africans volunteered for the work
Answer: B) — They had partial immunity to European diseases, farming experience, and were
less likely to escape in an unfamiliar land.
19. Which explorer gave Portugal a direct sea route to India?
A) Bartolomeu Dias
B) Christopher Columbus
C) Vasco da Gama
D) Amerigo Vespucci
Answer: C) Vasco da Gama — His voyage around Africa to India in 1498 opened direct sea
trade with Asia for Portugal.
20. What was the main economic activity of New France?
A) Gold mining
B) Tobacco farming
C) Fur trading
D) Sugar production
Answer: C) Fur trading — The French colonists in New France primarily traded in furs with
Native Americans.
PART B: TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS (15 Questions)
State whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE and explain why. Answers are provided in color.

1. Akbar was a Mughal emperor known for religious intolerance and forcing Hindus to convert to Islam.
Answer: FALSE — Akbar was famous for his religious tolerance. He believed people should
be free to choose their religion and included both Hindus and Muslims in his government.
2. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife.
Answer: TRUE — Shah Jahan built the magnificent Taj Mahal as a tomb for his beloved wife.
3. The caravel was a type of ship with triangle sails that could sail against the wind.
Answer: TRUE — The caravel's lateen (triangle) sails were revolutionary — they allowed
ships to sail into the wind and venture far out to sea.
4. Portugal received the western parts of the world under the Treaty of Tordesillas.
Answer: FALSE — Portugal received the eastern parts (Africa, India, Asia). Spain received
the western parts (the Americas).
5. Zheng He chose to colonize and build settlements in the countries he visited during his voyages.
Answer: FALSE — Zheng He gave away gifts to demonstrate Chinese superiority but did not
colonize. China turned inward rather than building a colonial empire.
6. The Qing Dynasty was founded by the Manchus from Manchuria.
Answer: TRUE — The Manchus from northeast of China (Manchuria) took control in 1644
and established the Qing Dynasty.
7. Christopher Columbus was a Spanish explorer who sailed east to reach the Americas.
Answer: FALSE — Columbus was Italian, sailing for Spain. He sailed WEST hoping to reach
Asia, but instead landed in the Americas.
8. The Encomienda system was completely abolished by the Spanish Crown after Bartolome de Las
Casas's protests.
Answer: TRUE — Las Casas and other priests successfully called for the end of the
encomienda system.
9. Jamestown was founded in 1607 as the first permanent French settlement in North America.
Answer: FALSE — Jamestown was an ENGLISH settlement (not French), founded in modern
Virginia in 1607.
10. African enslaved people were paid wages for their work on colonial plantations.
Answer: FALSE — African slaves were NOT paid for their labor. They received only basic
food and shelter and had no freedom.
11. Tokugawa Ieyasu banned Christianity from Japan in 1612 as part of a larger plan to limit European
influence.
Answer: TRUE — Tokugawa banned Christianity and for the next 200 years, Japan remained
closed to most European contact.
12. The Dutch East India Company was less powerful than England's East India Company.
Answer: FALSE — The Dutch East India Company was RICHER and MORE POWERFUL than
England's company — it was one of the wealthiest organizations in history.
13. The first European slave revolt in the Americas occurred on Hispaniola in 1522.
Answer: TRUE — About 20 slaves attacked and killed several Spanish colonists on
Hispaniola in 1522 — one of the first recorded revolts.
14. France lost all its land in North America to England after the French and Indian War in 1763.
 Answer: TRUE — When the French and Indian War ended in 1763, France was forced to give
up all its North American land to England.
15. The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 after Hongwu expelled the Mongols from China.
Answer: TRUE — Hongwu drove out the Mongols in 1368 and declared himself the first
emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
PART C: ESSAY QUESTIONS (5 Questions)
Answer each question in a full paragraph. Model answers are provided in italics.

1. Explain why Akbar is considered one of the greatest Mughal emperors. Give at least THREE
specific examples.
Model Answer: Akbar (ruled 1556-1605) is considered great for several reasons. First, he practiced
religious tolerance — as a Muslim, he allowed both Hindus and Muslims to serve in his government
and abolished the special tax on non-Muslims. Second, he ruled fairly by taxing people on a
percentage of their food production, which was fair to peasants. Third, his policy of cultural blending
created two important new languages: Hindi and Urdu. Fourth, his empire encompassed over 100
million people — more than all of Europe at the time. Fifth, his reign was a golden age for art, literature,
and architecture.
2. Describe the causes and effects of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Who was affected and how?
Model Answer: The Atlantic Slave Trade began around 1500 because European colonists in the
Americas needed cheap labor for plantations and farms. Africans were targeted because many had
immunity to European diseases, had farming experience, and were unfamiliar with the new land
making escape difficult. African merchants captured people and traded them to Europeans for gold and
guns. The trade operated as the Triangular Trade: manufactured goods went from Europe to Africa;
enslaved Africans were shipped to the Americas (the Middle Passage); raw materials went from the
Americas back to Europe. Effects: Africa lost millions of people and was destabilized by the
introduction of guns. African families were torn apart, often permanently. In the Americas, enslaved
labor built the economic wealth of colonial plantations, and African culture profoundly influenced
American music, food, religion, and art.
3. Compare and contrast how China and Japan responded to European contact in the 1500s and
1600s.
Model Answer: Both China and Japan ultimately chose to limit European influence, but through
different paths. China under the Ming Dynasty initially conducted grand exploration voyages under
Admiral Zheng He, visiting Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa. However, the Ming government
eventually tried to isolate China from the world, though Europeans continued to trade for Chinese
ceramics and silk. Japan's response was more dramatic and complete. After European traders and
missionaries arrived in the mid-1500s, Japan became concerned that missionaries were undermining
traditional Japanese culture and getting involved in politics. Tokugawa Ieyasu banned Christianity in
1612 and for the next 200 years, Japan remained almost completely closed to European contact. Both
nations thus 'rejected expansion' — China by limiting but not eliminating contact, and Japan by nearly
complete closure.
4. Explain how Spain built its American empire. Include the roles of Columbus, the
conquistadors, and the encomienda system.
Model Answer: Spain built its American empire in several stages. It began with Columbus's 1492
voyage sailing west hoping to reach Asia — instead landing in the Americas and claiming the land for
Spain. Following this discovery, Spain sent conquistadors — soldiers and explorers — to conquer the
Americas. Hernando Cortes defeated the mighty Aztec Empire in Mexico in 1519, while Francisco
Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire of South America around 1532. These conquests gave Spain
access to vast mineral wealth, particularly silver and gold. To exploit this wealth, Spain established the
encomienda system — large farms and mines that used native peoples as forced labor. This brutal
system was criticized by priests like Bartolome de Las Casas and was eventually abolished. The
Spanish also spread Catholicism through missionaries and intermarried with native populations,
creating a mestizo population. Spain's American empire became the largest and wealthiest European
empire of the 16th century.
5. Why did European nations fight over North America, and how was that conflict resolved by
1763?
Model Answer: European nations fought over North America because it offered enormous wealth in
furs, timber, fertile land, and agricultural potential. France explored and claimed a vast area called New
France — from the St. Lawrence River through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. England
established permanent colonies beginning with Jamestown (1607) in Virginia and continued expanding
with Plymouth (1620) and Massachusetts Bay (1630). The Dutch had a colony called New Netherland
(now New York), which England later seized. The biggest conflict was between Britain and France over
the Ohio Valley, which erupted into the French and Indian War (1754). When the war ended in 1763,
France was forced to surrender ALL of its North American territory to Britain. This made Britain the
dominant power in North America, though it also triggered disputes with its own colonists that would
eventually lead to the American Revolution.
REVISION SUMMARY — ALL 6 LESSONS
Use these 5 pages to do a quick review of all key facts before your exam. Read through each section
carefully!

LESSON 1 REVISION: The Mughal Empire

Quick Facts — Mughal Empire
• Founded by BABUR — an excellent general related to the Mongols
• Greatest emperor: AKBAR (1556-1605) — religiously tolerant, fair taxation, 100M
subjects
• Akbar created Hindi and Urdu through cultural blending policies
• Shah Jahan built the TAJ MAHAL — a tomb for his wife
• Aurangzeb (last important emperor) — intolerant, destroyed Hindu temples, led to
rebellions
• Shivaji founded the Marathas (Hindu) in southwest India to resist Mughal oppression
• Sikhs won control of part of the empire in the northwest
• The empire collapsed into a patchwork of independent states — Mughal emperor
became just a figurehead
• Aurangzeb gave Western traders the port of Bombay — leading to future European
domination

LESSON 2 REVISION: Europeans Explore the East

Quick Facts — European Exploration
• Europeans explored for: WEALTH (new trade routes to Asia) and RELIGION (spreading
Christianity)
• Key technology: THE CARAVEL — strong ship with triangle sails that could sail against
the wind
• PRINCE HENRY of Portugal — sponsored exploration; earned nickname 'the Navigator'
• BARTOLOMEU DIAS (1488) — rounded the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope)
• VASCO DA GAMA (1498) — sailed around Africa to India; gave Portugal a direct sea
route to Asia
• CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1492) — sailed west for Spain; landed in Americas
instead of Asia
• TREATY OF TORDESILLAS (1494) — divided the world: Portugal got east; Spain got
west
• DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY — richer and more powerful than England's; could mint
money, sign treaties, raise armies

LESSON 3 REVISION: China and Japan Reject Expansion

Quick Facts — China (Ming and Qing Dynasties)
 • HONGWU expelled Mongols in 1368 — founded MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
• YONGLO (Hongwu's son) — sent ZHENG HE on 7 voyages to SE Asia, India, Arabia,
Africa
• China tried to ISOLATE itself but Europeans kept trading for ceramics and silk
• MANCHUS took over in 1644 — founded QING DYNASTY
• KANGXI and QIAN-LONG (grandson) — brought China to its largest size and greatest
wealth
• Population grew due to improved farming; but women had almost no rights

Quick Facts — Japan (Feudal Era to Shogunate)

• CIVIL WAR (1467-1568) — daimyo (warrior-chieftains) fought each other for power
• ODA NOBUNAGA — seized Kyoto; began unification
• TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI — took control of almost all of Japan
• TOKUGAWA IEYASU — completed unification; became shogun; moved capital to Tokyo
• KABUKI = Japanese theater; HAIKU = Japanese poetry
• 1612 — Tokugawa BANNED CHRISTIANITY; Japan closed to Europe for 200 years
• TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE ruled Japan 1603-1868
LESSON 4 REVISION: Spain Builds an American Empire
Quick Facts — Spanish Empire
• COLUMBUS (1492) — Italian sailor for Spain; sailed west; landed in Americas; called
natives 'Indians'
• AMERIGO VESPUCCI — explored South America; continent named 'America' after him
• CONQUISTADORS = Spanish conquerors of the 16th century
• HERNANDO CORTES (1519) — defeated AZTEC EMPIRE (Mexico), led by Montezuma
II
• FRANCISCO PIZARRO (~1532) — defeated INCA EMPIRE (South America),
captured/killed ATAHUALPA
• ENCOMIENDA = system of forced native labor in farms and mines — extremely brutal
• MESTIZO = person with mixed Spanish and Native American blood
• BARTOLOME DE LAS CASAS = priest who successfully called for ending the
encomienda
• Native Americans resisted continuously — most serious rebellion in New Mexico

LESSON 5 REVISION: European Nations Settle North America

Quick Facts — North American Colonization
• FRANCE — explored via JACQUES CARTIER; claimed New France (Great Lakes +
Mississippi Valley)
• Main French activity = FUR TRADE; French had generally good relations with Native
Americans
• ENGLAND — JAMESTOWN (1607) = first permanent English settlement, in Virginia
• Jamestown was saved by TOBACCO FARMING for European markets
• PILGRIMS (1620) — founded Plymouth colony; fled England for religious freedom
• PURITANS (1630) — founded Massachusetts Bay colony
• DUTCH — had colony called NEW NETHERLAND (now New York); England forced
them to give it up
• FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR (1754-1763) — Britain defeated France; France gave up
ALL North American land
• KING PHILIP'S WAR — Metacom (King Philip) led attacks on Massachusetts villages;
defeated by British

LESSON 6 REVISION: The Atlantic Slave Trade

Quick Facts — Atlantic Slave Trade
• Started ~1500 — European colonists needed cheap labor for plantations
• Portuguese first explored Africa in the 1400s — initially more interested in gold
• Africans were chosen because: had disease immunity, farming experience, couldn't
easily escape
• AFRICAN MERCHANTS captured and sold people to Europeans for gold, guns, and
goods
 • TRIANGULAR TRADE: Europe sends goods to Africa → Africa sends enslaved people
to Americas (Middle Passage) → Americas send raw materials to Europe
• Enslaved Africans were NOT paid; given only basic food and shelter
• Resistance: cultural preservation, breaking tools, slow work, running away, violent revolts
• First recorded revolt: Hispaniola, 1522 — about 20 slaves attacked colonists
• Effects on Africa: families torn apart, guns introduced, destabilization
• Effects on Americas: enormous labor contribution built colonial wealth; African culture
shaped American music, food, religion, art

MASTER KEY TERMS — All Lessons

These are the most important terms to know for your exam:

Mughal Empire Empire on Indian subcontinent, founded by Babur, greatest under Akbar
Akbar Greatest Mughal emperor (1556-1605); religious tolerance, cultural
blending
Taj Mahal Magnificent tomb built by Shah Jahan for his wife
Caravel New ship type with triangle sails; made ocean exploration possible
Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 treaty dividing newly discovered world between Spain and Portugal
Dutch East India Co. Extremely powerful trading company that dominated Asian trade
Ming Dynasty Chinese dynasty 1368-1644; began with Hongwu expelling Mongols
Zheng He Chinese admiral who led 7 voyages across Asia and Africa
Qing Dynasty Chinese dynasty begun by Manchus in 1644; followed Ming
Daimyo Japanese warrior-chieftain commanding samurai; dominated feudal Japan
Tokugawa Shogunate Ruling dynasty of unified Japan, 1603-1868; isolated from Europe
Columbus Italian explorer for Spain; landed in Americas in 1492
Conquistadors Spanish conquerors of the Americas in the 16th century
Encomienda Spanish colonial system using natives as forced labor
Mestizo Person with mixed Spanish and Native American blood
Jamestown First permanent English settlement in North America (1607)
Pilgrims English religious group; founded Plymouth colony in 1620
Puritans English religious group; founded Massachusetts Bay colony in 1630
French & Indian War 1754-1763 war; France lost all North American land to Britain
Triangular Trade Three-part trade connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas
Middle Passage Horrific ocean crossing of enslaved Africans from Africa to Americas
Atlantic Slave Trade Massive system of buying/selling Africans for work in the Americas
Metacom Native American leader (King Philip) who led attacks in Massachusetts
Bartolome de Las Priest who campaigned against and ended the encomienda system
Casas
Babur Founder of the Mughal Empire; excellent general, related to Mongols

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAM! YOU'VE GOT THIS!