Portuguese trading posts gave merchants and soldiers footholds on distant coasts.
← Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections
Topic 4.4 · c. 1450–1750
Maritime Empires Established
European powers used ships, weapons, trading posts, and alliances to establish overseas empires. Local peoples sometimes cooperated and sometimes resisted.
The big picture
What to know
European powers used ships, weapons, trading posts, and alliances to establish overseas empires. Local peoples sometimes cooperated and sometimes resisted.
Spanish conquest used military force and alliances to take American territories.
Joint-stock companies gathered investors' money for overseas ventures.
Check your understanding
01 / Multiple choice · 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question. Feedback appears below it.
Question 01
Which example fits this clue? This example gave merchants and soldiers footholds on distant coasts.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
Question 02
Which example fits this clue? This example used military force and alliances to take American territories.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
Question 03
Which example fits this clue? This example gathered investors' money for overseas ventures.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
02 / Write with evidence
Write a short response
How did maritime states establish control overseas?
- Make a claim that answers the question.
- Use two examples from the review.
- Explain how the examples support your claim.
See a model response
European powers used ships, weapons, trading posts, and alliances to establish overseas empires. Portuguese trading posts gave merchants and soldiers footholds on distant coasts. Spanish conquest used military force and alliances to take American territories.
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Resources & review
Quick study check
Before opening another resource, explain these examples from memory. Reveal each explanation to check yourself.
Portuguese trading posts
Portuguese trading posts gave merchants and soldiers footholds on distant coasts.
Spanish conquest
Spanish conquest used military force and alliances to take American territories.
joint-stock companies
Joint-stock companies gathered investors' money for overseas ventures.
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