History Short Answer Test 1
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Santa Monica College *
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History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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3
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1.
Based on what you’ve learned about continental political and social
history—through reading, the lecture slides, and the board discussion, why were
the Portuguese and the Spanish the first to establish a permanent presence in the
East, Africa, the Caribbean and the South America? In other words, why the
Portuguese and Spanish and not other powers such as the Germans, Italians,
Ottomans, French or English?
The Portuguese and Spanish were the first European powers to establish a permanent
presence in these areas because they were committed to maritime exploration, which combined
geographic and historical advantages while having a supportive institutional framework.
Foremost, as they were located on the Iberian Peninsula, they had direct access to the Atlantic
Ocean, which was crucial during the Age of Exploration. Being so close to the ocean allowed
shorter and safer sea voyages, which made it more practical to go on long-distance expeditions
compared to others. The strong winds and currents in the Atlantic Ocean favored westward
voyages, which created a more natural route to the Americas. Historical factors also played a
significant role as both Portugal and Spain had finished the Reconquista, a campaign to reclaim
their territories from Moorish rule. This unification created a sense of national pride and power,
along with a desire to find new lands and trade routes. The valuable information gained during
the Reconquista about navigation, warfare, and interaction with different cultures also
contributed to their powerful overseas expansion.
On the other hand, different European powers like the Germans, Italians, Ottomans,
French, and English faced difficult challenges that delayed their entry into overseas exploration
and colonization. Once they eventually entered the age of exploration, they faced greater
geographic challenges, internal conflicts, or different priorities which delayed their significant
overseas expansion compared to the Portuguese and Spanish. It was only later, as the Portuguese
and Spanish paved the way, that these other powers were able to enter overseas exploration and
colonization. Therefore, the early success of the Portuguese and Spanish in establishing a
permanent presence in these lands were possible because of the combination of geographical
advantages, historical context, strong leadership, and international support.
2.
Describe two main characteristics of any absolutist monarch? explain the role
that absolutism played in either the War of Spanish Succession, Austrian
Succession, or the Great Northern War.
Two main characteristics of an absolutist monarch are centralized authority and the divine
right of kings. Centralized authority is the concentration of power in the hands of the monarch,
where they hold significant control over the government, military, and decision-making
processes. The divine right of kings is a belief that monarchs build their authority directly from
God, which makes their rule unquestionable and absolute. These characteristics were shown by
many European monarchs during the early modern period.
Absolutism played an important role in the War of Spanish Succession as the conflict
began when the Spanish Habsburg dynasty ended with the death of Charles II of Spain without a
designated heir. European powers, including France and Austria, wanted to gain control of the
Spanish Empire's territories and resources. Louis XIV believed that their divine right to rule
extended to the Spanish throne because of the complex amount of intermarriages and treaties.
Louis XIV displayed absolutism with his centralized authority and belief in divine right. He
aimed to expand French influence and territory at any cost, even if it meant ignoring the balance
of power in Europe. This pursuit of power and expansion directly contributed to the outbreak of
the War of Spanish Succession.
The conflict eventually led to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which ended the war but had
extreme consequences. Spain's European territories were divided among the major European
powers to prevent the alliance of too much power in a single state. Although the war did not
totally stop the concept of absolutism, it weakened the French monarchy's position in Europe and
created a shift toward a more balanced system of power. This set the stage for the later
development of the European balance of power and the decline of absolutist monarchies.
3.
How did the rise of slavery and the plantation system change European politics
and society? For part of your answer, describe some of the rules listed in the
broadsheet
A Sober and Wholesome Drink
regarding coffee shop behavior and
consider how this might have affected western society in areas with booming
coffee shop cultures (such as in France).
The rise of slavery and the plantation system in the New World had massive
effects on European politics and society. Foremost, the plantation system, mostly in the
Caribbean and the Americas, significantly increased European colonial powers. The
raising of cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton relied on enslaved labor, which led
to substantial economic gains. This new wealth played a big role in influencing
European politics, as nations became economically powerful. The competition for
control over colonies and access to enslaved laborers led to international conflicts
which shaped the landscape of Europe. Moreover, the demand for enslaved people
created an immortal foreign slave trade. European nations engaged in competition to
secure a consistent supply of enslaved labor. This competition and the economic
interests at stake helped shape international diplomacy and political decisions which
often led to conflicts.
The rise of coffeehouses in Western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries
played an interesting role. Coffeehouses served as hubs where individuals from various
social backgrounds gathered to discuss a wide range of topics, including politics,
philosophy, and culture. The broadsheet "A Sober and Wholesome Drink," outlined rules
for coffee shop behavior which promoted civility and respect among citizens as they
encouraged a polite and open atmosphere. In areas with strong coffee shop cultures,
such as France, coffee shops played an influential role in shaping political discourse
and revolutionary thinking. Coffeehouses became places where political clubs and
discussion groups formed, contributing to events like the French Revolution. Therefore,
the rise of slavery and the plantation system influenced European politics through
economic prosperity, increased competition for enslaved labor, and shifts in foreign
power dynamics. Also, the coffee shop culture allowed intellectual exchange, social
mixing, and political activism in Western society.
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