MIDTERM EXAM Q&A
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Geography 1000: Introduction to World Geography
Midterm Exam: December 4
th
, 2023
1.
The Spanish got to Latin America in the late 1400s and the early 1500s, yet by 1521 they had managed to conquer the Aztec Empire. Identify the factors that made it possible for the Spanish to conquer the Aztec. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521 can be attributed to a combination of
technological, military, political, and socio-cultural factors. Technologically, the Spanish
possessed superior weaponry, including steel swords, firearms, and cannons, giving them a
significant advantage over the Aztec forces, who primarily used obsidian-tipped weapons.
Additionally, the Spanish had horses, which were previously unknown to the Aztecs and
provided them with a powerful cavalry.
Military tactics also played a crucial role in the Spanish success. Hernán Cortés, the Spanish
conquistador leading the expedition, skillfully exploited existing rivalries among indigenous
groups, forming alliances with those who were discontented with Aztec rule. The Tlaxcalans,
traditional enemies of the Aztecs, allied with the Spanish and provided vital support during the
siege of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital.
Politically, the Aztec Empire was experiencing internal strife and had recently undergone
significant social upheaval due to the arrival of the Spanish. This weakened their ability to resist
the conquistadors effectively. Additionally, the devastating impact of European diseases, such
as smallpox, further reduced the Aztec population, making it more challenging for them to
defend their territory.
Socio-culturally, the Spanish exploited the religious beliefs of the Aztecs. Montezuma, the Aztec
emperor, initially believed Cortés might be the god Quetzalcoatl returning, leading to a cautious
and initially non-hostile approach from the Aztecs.
In summary, a combination of technological superiority, military tactics, political alliances,
internal strife within the Aztec Empire, and the impact of European diseases contributed to the
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire by 1521.
2.
Why do you think China is generally able to outbid the USA in particular, or Western countries in general, when it comes to investment in Africa.
China's ability to outbid the USA and Western countries in African investments can be
attributed to several factors. Firstly, China's approach to investment in Africa is characterized by
a willingness to provide large-scale infrastructure projects and loans with fewer conditionalities
compared to Western counterparts. This allows African nations to secure financing without
stringent governance and human rights requirements often imposed by the West.
Secondly, China's state-led economic model enables swift decision-making and the allocation of
substantial funds for strategic investments. In contrast, Western democracies may face
challenges in reaching a consensus and obtaining approval for large-scale projects, leading to
delays.
Additionally, China's focus on long-term economic and geopolitical interests in Africa
contributes to sustained investment. Western countries, on the other hand, may be driven by
short-term political considerations, leading to inconsistent investment patterns.
Moreover, China's approach involves direct government-to-government engagement, fostering
strong political ties with African leaders. This contrasts with Western countries' emphasis on
private sector-led initiatives, which can be perceived as less committed to the long-term
development of the African nations.
In summary, China's ability to outbid the USA and Western countries in African investments is a
result of its more flexible and decisive economic approach, coupled with a focus on long-term
interests and direct government engagement with African nations.
3.
With the slave trade, millions of Africans were shipped to the LACs, yet, at present, it is very difficult to count and compare the number of people of African descent in the various Latin America and the Caribbean countries. Discuss why this is the case.
The difficulty in accurately counting and comparing the number of people of African descent in
various Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries stems from a combination of historical,
social, and demographic factors. Firstly, the transatlantic slave trade, which brought millions of
Africans to the Americas, was a complex and often poorly documented process. Many records
from that time are incomplete, lost, or unreliable, making it challenging to establish precise
figures for the number of individuals involved.
Furthermore, historical events such as slavery, forced labor, and subsequent migrations have
led to a significant mixing of ethnicities in the region. Centuries of intermarriage and cultural
blending have resulted in diverse populations with varying degrees of African heritage. Unlike
some other regions where slavery was more segregated, Latin America and the Caribbean
experienced a significant degree of racial and ethnic mixing, making it difficult to categorize
individuals solely based on their African ancestry.
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