Question

1. Name two of the scientific/technological advances that made the long voyages of exploration possible.
2. Define a ‘trading-post empire.’
3. What was the significance of the Seven Years’ war? (Name at least two reasons)
4. Name two consequences of the Colombian Exchange.

Answer 1

Answer 1

Scientific advances in the Age of Enlightenment made long marine voyages feasible. Two of such scientific advances were the improvements in theodolite and octant measuring instruments in the 15th and the 16th centuries that helped in making sea navigation efficient and effective.

Answer 2

Trading-post-empires were introduced by Portuguese mariners with the intention of controlling trade routes by levying duties at fortified trading sites. This enabled them to control the Indian ocean trade and spread the knowledge of Asian water to other nations.

Answer 3

1.) The Seven Years' War was the first war fought by Russia from its borders. It affirmed the strength of the Russian army and paved the way for its future victories against the Turks and French.

2.) It also established Prussia as a superpower and laid the foundation stone for the German empire.

Answer 4

The Columbian Exchange refers to the exchange of flora, fauna and cultures across the Atlantic in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The most significant positive consequence of the Columbian exchange was the advancement of agriculture due to the introduction of New World crops (essentially potatoes and corn) to the Old World.

However, from the same exchange was born the contemptible slave trade and the exchange of diseases between the Old and the New World.