Maritime empires ap world history

How the Maritime Empires Were Maintained and Developed for AP World History


The Age of Exploration led to the establishment of maritime empires in Europe. Over time, these maritime empires were maintained and developed in different ways. Read the Google Slides to learn about the maritime empires maintained and developed during the Age of Exploration below.

Illustrative Examples


Muslim and European Rivalry in the Indian Ocean



Moroccan Conflict with the Songhai Empire



Increased Peasant and Artisan Labor



The Mercantilist System






The mercantilist system was an economic philosophy and practice characterized by the belief that a nation’s wealth and power were determined by the amount of precious metals it possessed, particularly gold and silver. This period, often referred to as the Age of Mercantilism, witnessed the emergence of powerful European maritime nations such as Spain, Portugal, England, and the Netherlands, each vying for dominance in global trade and colonial expansion. Mercantilist policies focused on promoting a favorable balance of trade, where countries sought to export more goods than they imported. To achieve this, governments implemented protectio

4.4 Maritime Empires Established








The Europeans definitely arrive on scene and plan to stay - a lot of colonies will last until the late 20th century. For this particular topic there are 5 BIG empires that were built on global trade. Some Asian nations, specifically Japan and China, begin to return to isolationist policies to limit contacts with the west. And, it will be important to understand how new labor systems, like chattel slavery and the encomienda system play a role in maintaining these empires.

For this topic you should be able to:

(GOV) Explain the process of state building and expansion among various empires and states in the period from 1450 to 1750.

Europeans established new trading posts in Africa and Asia, which proved profitable for the rulers and merchants involved in new global trade networks. Some Asian states sought to limit the disruptive economic and cultural effects of European-dominated long-distance trade by adopting restrictive or isolationist trade policies.



Asian states that adopted restrictive or isolationist trade policies:





Driven largely by political, religious, and economic rivalries, European states established new maritime emp


Between 1450 and 1750, European powers expanded beyond their borders to build maritime empires that transformed global politics, labor systems, and economies. Fueled by trade, colonization, and competition, empires such as the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, British, and French carved out territories across the Americas, Africa, and Asia—often reshaping the lives of Indigenous populations and enslaved peoples. These global connections also influenced emerging powers within Africa and Asia and led to profound demographic, social, and economic changes.

European Expansion and Trading Post Empires

European states expanded their reach primarily through maritime trade and established strategic
trading-post empires
in coastal regions rather than deep territorial conquest—at least initially. These outposts facilitated long-distance commerce and imperial control, often backed by military power.

Africa and the Slave Trade


European powers like
Portugal, Britain, and the Netherlands
established ports along the West African coast, where they traded firearms, textiles, and goods for
enslaved Africans
.

West African kingdoms such as the Asante and Kingdom of the Kongo grew in power by i

AP World Maritime Empires Overview | Complete Study Guide


Introduction: Why Maritime Empires Matter in AP World

The period between 1450 and 1750 was one of the most transformative eras in world history. Known as the
Age of Exploration
, this era gave rise to powerful maritime empires that reshaped global trade, politics, and cultural exchange. For AP World History students, understanding maritime empires is essential—not just because they appear frequently on exams, but also because they connect key concepts like
economic systems, state expansion, and cultural diffusion
.

In this guide, we’ll break down the
major maritime empires
, their strategies of expansion, their impacts on world history, and how to study them effectively using
RevisionDojo
.

What Are Maritime Empires?

A
maritime empire
is a state that gains power primarily through control of
sea trade, naval power, and overseas colonies
. Unlike land-based empires, maritime empires relied on ships, exploration, and naval technology to expand their reach.

Key features include:


Control of
trade routes
across oceans

Establishment of
colonies
in distant lands

Development of powerful
naval forces


Economi