APwh (AP World History) Arq 12b

By the end of the sixteenth century, Portugal occupied most of the Brazilian coast. Portugal was the first European country to establish colonies in Brazil, starting in the early 1500s. They had a strong presence along the coast and were responsible for the initial exploration and colonization of the region. Spain, England, France, and Austria did not have as much influence or control over the Brazilian coast during this time period.

The correct answer is the mita. The mita was a forced labor system in Peru where Amerindian men were required to work in the mines for two to four months each year. This system was implemented by the Spanish colonial authorities and was a form of tribute or tax imposed on the indigenous population. The mita system played a significant role in the extraction of valuable resources from the mines, particularly silver, during the colonial period.

During the seventeenth century, sugar was the dominant export product in the Brazilian economy. Brazil had favorable climate and soil conditions for growing sugarcane, which led to the establishment of large-scale sugar plantations. The demand for sugar was high in Europe, and Brazil became one of the major suppliers. The production and export of sugar played a crucial role in shaping the Brazilian economy during this period, making it the correct answer.

The castas of Latin America referred to the social hierarchy based on racial mixing during the colonial period. Mestizos were individuals of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, while mulattos were individuals of mixed European and African ancestry. This answer is correct because it accurately identifies two of the mixed-race groups that were part of the casta system in Latin America.

An encomienda was a system implemented by the Spanish colonizers in the Americas during the 16th century. It involved granting a specific group of indigenous people to a Spanish colonist, who would then have control over their labor and collect tribute from them. This forced labor and tribute system allowed the Spanish colonizers to exploit the indigenous population for their own economic gain.

The English Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government in the 17th and 18th centuries. These acts were aimed at restricting colonial trade and production competition. They required all goods imported into the colonies to be carried on British ships, and they also imposed restrictions on certain colonial industries to ensure that they did not compete with British manufacturers. These acts were part of Britain's mercantilist policy, which aimed to maximize the economic benefits for the mother country. By limiting colonial trading and production competition, the British government sought to maintain control over the colonial economy and ensure that the colonies remained economically dependent on Britain.

Indentured servants were a new form of compulsory labor that was first introduced by the English in North America. Indentured servants were individuals who signed a contract, known as an indenture, agreeing to work for a specific period of time in exchange for their passage to the New World. They were typically poor Europeans who sought a better life and were willing to work under a contract. This system allowed the English to meet the labor demands in the colonies, particularly in areas such as Virginia and Maryland, where large-scale agriculture was developing. Indentured servants played a significant role in the early colonial economy.

Bartolomé de las Casas is considered the most influential defender of Amerindians in the early colonial period. He was a Spanish Dominican friar who fought for the rights of the indigenous people in the Americas. Las Casas witnessed and condemned the mistreatment and enslavement of Native Americans by the Spanish colonizers. He advocated for the abolition of the encomienda system and proposed alternative ways to peacefully integrate the indigenous population into Spanish society. His writings and activism played a significant role in raising awareness about the injustices faced by Amerindians and contributed to the development of human rights concepts.

The English and French American colonies differed from the Spanish and Portuguese American colonies in that the English and French developed their colonies through the efforts of private companies. This means that private companies were given charters by the English and French governments to establish and govern colonies in the Americas. In contrast, the Spanish and Portuguese forced their languages on the population, ruled with "benign neglect," or used direct government control to develop their colonies. Therefore, the English and French colonies had a different approach to colonization compared to the Spanish and Portuguese colonies.

The correct answer is Frenchmen living among the natives. The coureurs de bois were Frenchmen who lived among the native people in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were independent traders and explorers who established relationships with the indigenous populations and played a significant role in the French fur trade. They lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, often adopting native customs and languages, and acted as intermediaries between the French and the native tribes.

The spread of more high-calorie per acre staple crops from the New World contributed to the growth of the world population after 1700. These crops provided a more efficient and abundant food source, allowing for increased food production and improved nutrition. This resulted in better health and reduced mortality rates, leading to population growth.

The highest-ranking Spanish officials in the colonies were viceroys. Viceroys were appointed by the Spanish monarchy to govern and represent the crown in the colonies. They held significant power and authority, overseeing the administration, military, and economic affairs of the colonies. Viceroys were responsible for implementing and enforcing Spanish policies, maintaining control over the territories, and protecting Spanish interests. Their role was crucial in maintaining Spanish dominance and control over the colonies during the colonial period.