Topic 4.5 · c. 1450–1750

Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed

Colonial economies relied on coerced labor, plantation production, and long-distance commerce. New trade systems enriched empires while imposing severe costs on enslaved and colonized people.

Topic 4.5 / Review

The big picture

What to know

Colonial economies relied on coerced labor, plantation production, and long-distance commerce. New trade systems enriched empires while imposing severe costs on enslaved and colonized people.

Example 1Atlantic slave trade

The Atlantic slave trade forced millions of Africans into the Americas.

Example 2encomienda

Encomienda granted colonists control over Indigenous labor and tribute.

Example 3plantation economy

Plantation economies produced export crops through coerced labor.

Try it yourself

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? The Atlantic slave trade forced millions of Africans into the Americas.

Select an answer to check your thinking.

Question 02

Which example fits this clue? This example granted colonists control over Indigenous labor and tribute.

Select an answer to check your thinking.

Question 03

Which example fits this clue? Plantation economies produced export crops through coerced labor.

Select an answer to check your thinking.

02 / Write with evidence

Write a short response

How did labor and trade sustain maritime empires?

Make a claim that answers the question.
Use two examples from the review.
Explain how the examples support your claim.

See a model response

Colonial economies relied on coerced labor, plantation production, and long-distance commerce. The Atlantic slave trade forced millions of Africans into the Americas. Encomienda granted colonists control over Indigenous labor and tribute.

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Quick study check

Before opening another resource, explain these examples from memory. Reveal each explanation to check yourself.

Atlantic slave trade

The Atlantic slave trade forced millions of Africans into the Americas.

encomienda

Encomienda granted colonists control over Indigenous labor and tribute.

plantation economy

Plantation economies produced export crops through coerced labor.

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