AROUND THE AP WORLD DAY 61: MARITIME TECH
Introduction to Maritime Empires
Overview of Unit 4
- This unit focuses on maritime empires, contrasting with the land-based empires discussed in Unit 3.
- The College Board identifies five key maritime empires for study this week.
- Emphasizes the importance of navigation and technical innovations for establishing these empires.
Importance of Technological Innovations
- Previous units emphasized trade routes but lacked focus on the technology enabling exploration and trade.
- Highlights that while compasses and camel saddles were mentioned, specific ocean-going technologies are crucial for maritime empires.
Technological Foundations of Exploration
Key Innovations from 1200 to 1450
- Europeans learned navigation techniques from Dar al-Islam, which was a center of knowledge during this period.
- The discussion is divided into three main categories: new tools, wind patterns, and ship designs.
New Tools
- Essential navigational tools include:
- Compass: Used for determining direction when out of sight of land.
- Astrolabe: Helps sailors determine their location on Earth while at sea.
Wind Patterns
- Understanding wind patterns is critical; sailing against the wind can hinder progress significantly.
- A metaphor comparing navigating against wind to running on a moving walkway illustrates this point effectively.
Ship Designs
- Caravals
- Small, highly maneuverable ships equipped with lateen sails allowing them to sail into the wind; ideal for exploration and reconnaissance (e.g., Nina and Pinta).
- Carracks
- Larger cargo ships designed for trading after exploration; derived from Arabic terminology meaning "merchant ship" (e.g., Santa Maria).
- Flouts
- Main vessels used by Dutch VOC; cost-effective to build yet capable of carrying double the cargo compared to other ships (e.g., Mayflower).
- In 1670, flouts transported half of all items delivered to Europe, showcasing their significance in maritime trade.