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Study Guide: The Early Modern Period: Global Transformations

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The Early Modern Period: Global Transformations Study Guide

Defining the Early Modern Period

The early modern period is universally defined as spanning precisely from 1500 to 1800 CE across all historical disciplines.

Answer: False

Explanation: The assertion that the early modern period is universally defined as spanning precisely from 1500 to 1800 CE across all historical disciplines is inaccurate, as its temporal boundaries are subject to scholarly debate and variation.

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Historians generally agree that the fall of Constantinople in 1453 is the definitive starting point for the early modern period.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the fall of Constantinople in 1453 is frequently cited as a significant marker for the transition into the early modern period, it is not universally agreed upon as the sole definitive starting point.

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The French Revolution and the American Revolution are commonly cited as events marking the end of the early modern period.

Answer: True

Explanation: The French Revolution and the American Revolution are indeed commonly cited by historians as pivotal events that signify the conclusion of the early modern period, ushering in the subsequent era.

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From a global perspective, the most emphasized feature of the early modern period is its increasing isolationism between regions.

Answer: False

Explanation: From a global perspective, the early modern period is characterized by its increasing interconnectedness and globalizing tendencies, rather than increasing isolationism between regions.

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The term 'early modern period' was coined by the historian Lynn Thorndike in the 20th century.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'early modern period' was indeed first proposed by the historian Lynn Thorndike in the 20th century, specifically in 1926.

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The discovery of the Americas in 1492 and the Protestant Reformation in 1517 are considered signals of the transition to the early modern period in Europe.

Answer: True

Explanation: The discovery of the Americas in 1492 and the onset of the Protestant Reformation in 1517 are widely regarded as significant indicators of the transition into the early modern period in Europe.

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The 'Age of Revolution,' marked by mechanization and political uprisings, signifies the end of the early modern period.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Age of Revolution,' characterized by significant political upheavals and technological advancements such as mechanization, is indeed considered to mark the conclusion of the early modern period.

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Which event is cited as a potential marker for the *beginning* of the early modern period?

Answer: The Protestant Reformation

Explanation: The Protestant Reformation is frequently cited as a pivotal event marking the commencement of the early modern period, alongside other significant occurrences like the fall of Constantinople and the Age of Discovery.

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What is the primary characteristic of the early modern period emphasized by historians from a global perspective?

Answer: The spreading globalizing character and altered connections

Explanation: From a global perspective, historians increasingly emphasize the spreading globalizing character and altered connections that defined the early modern period, rather than regional isolation.

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Which of the following was NOT listed as a major trend or development during the early modern period?

Answer: Decline of long-distance travel

Explanation: A decline in long-distance travel was not a major trend of the early modern period; rather, advancements in navigation and shipbuilding facilitated increased global travel and exchange.

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According to the source, who first proposed the term 'early modern period'?

Answer: Lynn Thorndike

Explanation: The term 'early modern period' was first proposed by the historian Lynn Thorndike in the 20th century.

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Intellectual and Cultural Revolutions

The Renaissance was a cultural movement originating in Northern Europe that later spread to Italy.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Renaissance originated in 14th-century Italy and subsequently spread throughout Europe, influencing Northern European culture.

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Johannes Gutenberg, known for the printing press, and Isaac Newton, known for laws of motion, were prominent figures of the early modern period.

Answer: True

Explanation: Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400-1468) and Isaac Newton (1643-1727) were indeed pivotal figures whose contributions significantly shaped the early modern period, with Gutenberg's printing press revolutionizing information dissemination and Newton's scientific work defining classical physics.

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The Counter-Reformation involved the Catholic Church establishing seminaries, new spiritual movements, and the founding of orders like the Jesuits.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, encompassed significant internal reforms, including the establishment of seminaries for clergy education, the fostering of new spiritual movements, and the foundation of influential religious orders such as the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

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The Scientific Revolution emphasized reliance on ancient texts like Aristotle over empirical observation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Scientific Revolution marked a paradigm shift that increasingly emphasized empirical observation, experimentation, and mathematical reasoning, often challenging or revising the doctrines found in ancient texts.

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Nicolaus Copernicus's work proposed a geocentric model of the solar system, challenging older ideas.

Answer: False

Explanation: Nicolaus Copernicus's seminal work proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system, positing that the planets orbit the Sun, thereby challenging the long-held geocentric view.

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Isaac Newton's 'Principia Mathematica' detailed his laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Answer: True

Explanation: Isaac Newton's monumental publication, 'Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica' (1687), systematically laid out his laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, fundamentally shaping classical physics.

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Historical linguistics emerged in the late 18th century, spurred by identifying common origins of languages like Greek and Latin.

Answer: True

Explanation: The field of historical linguistics began to emerge in the late 18th century, notably with scholars identifying common ancestral relationships between languages such as Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit.

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The Enlightenment emphasized divine revelation and tradition as the primary sources of knowledge.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Enlightenment championed reason, empirical evidence, and critical inquiry as the primary sources of knowledge, marking a departure from an over-reliance on divine revelation and tradition.

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The 'Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns' debated the superiority of classical Greek and Roman achievements over contemporary ones.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns' was an intellectual debate that centered on whether the achievements of contemporary times surpassed those of classical antiquity.

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Renaissance Humanism spread from Northern Europe to Italy after 1500, influencing civic life.

Answer: False

Explanation: Renaissance Humanism originated in Italy during the late Middle Ages and subsequently spread northward to influence Northern Europe after 1500.

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The Protestant Reformation led to the consolidation of the Roman Catholic Church's authority across all of Western Europe.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Protestant Reformation fundamentally challenged and fragmented the Roman Catholic Church's religious authority across Western Europe, leading to the establishment of various Protestant denominations.

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The Jesuits were primarily focused on military conquest during the Counter-Reformation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Jesuits, while influential during the Counter-Reformation, were primarily focused on education, missionary work, and intellectual pursuits, rather than military conquest.

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The Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant classified philosophical traditions into Rationalism and Empiricism.

Answer: True

Explanation: Immanuel Kant critically engaged with and classified major philosophical traditions, notably distinguishing between Rationalism and Empiricism, and sought to synthesize their insights.

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The 'Encyclopédie,' edited by Denis Diderot, aimed to compile and disseminate knowledge, promoting reason.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Encyclopédie,' under the editorship of Denis Diderot, was a monumental project intended to systematically compile and disseminate knowledge, championing the Enlightenment ideals of reason and secularism.

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The Scientific Revolution marked a shift towards which method of understanding nature?

Answer: Empiricism and modern scientific methods

Explanation: The Scientific Revolution marked a fundamental shift towards understanding nature through empirical observation, experimentation, and the application of modern scientific methodologies.

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What was the primary characteristic of the Enlightenment's approach to knowledge?

Answer: Championing reason as the primary source of knowledge

Explanation: The Enlightenment's primary characteristic was its emphasis on reason, critical inquiry, and empirical evidence as the principal means of acquiring knowledge and understanding the world.

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The 'Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns' reflected a growing intellectual emphasis on:

Answer: The achievements of contemporary times and progress

Explanation: The 'Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns' reflected a burgeoning intellectual focus on the advancements and achievements of contemporary eras, often positing their superiority over classical precedents.

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Which of the following is NOT considered a key component of the Catholic Church's Counter-Reformation efforts?

Answer: Adopting Martin Luther's theological principles

Explanation: The Counter-Reformation was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation; therefore, adopting Protestant theological principles was antithetical to its objectives.

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Political Systems and International Relations

In Europe, the early modern period saw a strengthening of feudalism and a reinforcement of religious unity under the Catholic Church.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to this statement, the early modern period in Europe witnessed a decline in feudalism and a fragmentation of religious unity due to the Protestant Reformation, rather than a strengthening of either.

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The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 established the modern international system based on national sovereignty.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Peace of Westphalia, concluded in 1648, is widely recognized for establishing the foundational principles of the modern international system, particularly national sovereignty and state autonomy.

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The 'Pax Ottomana' refers to a period of peace and stability within the Ottoman Empire during its expansion.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'Pax Ottomana' denotes a period of relative peace, stability, and prosperity experienced within the vast territories of the Ottoman Empire, particularly during its expansionary phases and consolidation of power.

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The Peace of Augsburg (1555) established the principle of 'cuius regio, eius religio,' allowing rulers to choose their state's religion.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555, formally recognized the principle of 'cuius regio, eius religio' (whose realm, his religion), granting rulers within the Holy Roman Empire the authority to determine the religion of their territories.

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The Peace of Utrecht marked the transition of naval supremacy from Great Britain to the Dutch Republic.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Peace of Utrecht signaled a shift in naval supremacy not from Great Britain to the Dutch Republic, but rather from the Dutch Republic to Great Britain.

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The early modern period saw the decline of centralized governments and the fragmentation of territories into smaller feudal states.

Answer: False

Explanation: The early modern period was characterized by the rise and consolidation of centralized governments and the formation of nation-states, rather than the decline of central authority and fragmentation into feudal states.

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The European colonization of the Americas led to the displacement and subjugation of Indigenous populations.

Answer: True

Explanation: European colonization of the Americas resulted in profound and often devastating consequences for Indigenous populations, including widespread displacement, subjugation, and cultural disruption.

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How did the early modern period differ from the Middle Ages in Europe regarding religious unity?

Answer: Religious unity declined due to the Protestant Reformation.

Explanation: The early modern period witnessed a significant decline in religious unity in Europe, largely precipitated by the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the monolithic authority of the Catholic Church.

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The Peace of Westphalia (1648) is significant for establishing which principle in international relations?

Answer: National sovereignty and state autonomy

Explanation: The Peace of Westphalia, concluded in 1648, is widely recognized for establishing the foundational principles of the modern international system, particularly national sovereignty and state autonomy.

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The 'Age of Revolution' is associated with which major political changes?

Answer: Uprisings in America and France, and the Napoleonic Wars

Explanation: The 'Age of Revolution,' spanning the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is characterized by significant political transformations, including the American and French Revolutions and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars.

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The Peace of Utrecht marked a shift in naval supremacy from which power to which other power?

Answer: The Netherlands to Great Britain

Explanation: The Peace of Utrecht, concluding the War of the Spanish Succession, marked a significant transition in naval dominance, shifting from the Dutch Republic to Great Britain.

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Global Exchange and Imperialism

The European colonization of the Americas primarily occurred *after* the early modern period concluded.

Answer: False

Explanation: The initial phases of European colonization in the Americas began during the early modern period, significantly predating its conclusion.

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The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires were prominent powers in Africa during the early modern period.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires were prominent powers, their primary spheres of influence were in the Middle East, Persia, and South Asia, respectively, not Africa, although the Ottomans did control North African territories.

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During the early modern period, East Asian nations like China and Japan actively sought extensive engagement and trade with European powers.

Answer: False

Explanation: By the later stages of the early modern period, East Asian nations such as China and Japan largely pursued policies of isolationism, limiting extensive engagement and trade with European powers.

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Inflation caused by Spanish silver and agricultural damage from the Little Ice Age contributed to the decline of the Ming Dynasty.

Answer: True

Explanation: The decline of the Ming Dynasty was indeed influenced by factors including inflation stemming from the influx of Spanish silver and agricultural disruptions attributed to the Little Ice Age.

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Maritime trade with Europeans brought significant amounts of silver into Japan, stabilizing its economy during the early modern period.

Answer: False

Explanation: While maritime trade with Europeans did bring silver into Japan, the statement implies it stabilized the economy, whereas the context suggests it was more complex and linked to specific periods and policies, and the primary impact of silver influx was more pronounced in Ming China.

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The Edo period in Japan, characterized by a strict class hierarchy and isolationist policies, falls within the early modern era.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Edo period (1600-1868) is indeed considered the early modern period in Japan, marked by its rigid social structure and the Sakoku policy of national isolation.

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The Joseon Dynasty in Korea was primarily known for its embrace of Shamanism and extensive military campaigns against China.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Joseon Dynasty in Korea was predominantly shaped by Confucianism, not Shamanism, and while it faced military challenges, its primary interactions with China were often tributary or allied, not consistently adversarial.

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Admiral Yi Sun-sin is credited with defending Korea against Japanese invasions using advanced 'turtle ships'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Admiral Yi Sun-sin is a celebrated figure in Korean history, renowned for his strategic naval victories against Japanese invasions, notably employing the innovative 'turtle ships'.

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The Mughal Empire, dominant in South Asia, experienced its peak economic power and GDP contribution during the late 18th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Mughal Empire reached its zenith of economic power and global GDP contribution earlier, primarily during the 17th century, with its influence beginning to wane by the late 18th century.

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British colonization in India began significantly after the early modern period, accelerating only in the mid-19th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: British commercial and political influence in India, particularly through the East India Company, began to take root significantly within the early modern period, preceding the acceleration of direct colonial rule in the mid-19th century.

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Morocco became an Ottoman regency alongside Algeria and Tunisia during the early modern period.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripolitania became Ottoman regencies, Morocco maintained its independence as a Sharifian state throughout the early modern period.

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The Safavid Empire played a key role in reasserting Iranian identity and establishing a unified Iranian state.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Safavid Empire, founded in the early 16th century, was instrumental in re-establishing a distinct Iranian identity and forging a unified Iranian state, largely based on Shi'a Islam.

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Central Asia was primarily under Uzbek rule from the 16th to the 18th centuries, with Afghan Pashtuns playing a minor role.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Uzbeks were dominant in Central Asia during much of this period, Afghan Pashtuns, particularly through the Hotaki and later Durrani dynasties, played significant roles in regional politics and conquests, notably in Persia and India.

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The 'Atlantic World' concept encompasses the interconnectedness of Western Europe, West Africa, and the Americas during the early modern era.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Atlantic World' is a historiographical concept that highlights the complex interconnections and exchanges among Western Europe, West Africa, and the Americas throughout the early modern period.

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The Columbian Exchange involved the transfer of goods, populations, and ideas between the Old World and the New World.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Columbian Exchange denotes the extensive transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas (New World) and the Old World (Afro-Eurasia) following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

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What major global transfer occurred during the early modern period, linking the Old and New Worlds?

Answer: The Columbian Exchange

Explanation: The Columbian Exchange denotes the extensive transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas (New World) and the Old World (Afro-Eurasia) following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

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Which of these was a prominent Asian empire during the early modern period, known for its military technology?

Answer: The Safavid Empire

Explanation: The Safavid Empire, along with the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, was a prominent 'gunpowder empire' in Asia during the early modern period, known for its military advancements.

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What policy did major East Asian nations like China and Japan largely pursue towards the outside world by the end of the early modern period?

Answer: Policies of isolationism

Explanation: By the end of the early modern period, major East Asian nations such as China and Japan largely adopted policies of isolationism, significantly limiting their engagement with the outside world.

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Which factor is mentioned as contributing to the decline of the Ming Dynasty in China?

Answer: Prohibition of ocean-going vessels and economic strain

Explanation: The decline of the Ming Dynasty was influenced by various factors, including the prohibition of ocean-going vessels and resulting economic strain, alongside other internal and external pressures.

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The Edo period (1600-1868) is considered the early modern period in which country?

Answer: Japan

Explanation: The Edo period (1600-1868) is recognized as the early modern period in Japanese history, characterized by significant social, political, and cultural developments.

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Admiral Yi Sun-sin is renowned for his role in defending Korea against which invaders, utilizing innovative ships?

Answer: Japanese

Explanation: Admiral Yi Sun-sin is celebrated for his crucial role in defending Korea against Japanese invasions during the late 16th century, employing advanced naval tactics and the famous 'turtle ships'.

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What characterized the Mughal Empire's status during the early modern period?

Answer: It dominated South Asia and was the largest global economy.

Explanation: The Mughal Empire was a dominant power in South Asia during the early modern period, representing a significant portion of the global economy and exhibiting considerable economic and manufacturing strength.

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What does 'Pax Ottomana' refer to?

Answer: A peace and stability within the Ottoman Empire during its expansion

Explanation: The 'Pax Ottomana' denotes a period of relative peace, stability, and prosperity experienced within the vast territories of the Ottoman Empire, particularly during its expansionary phases and consolidation of power.

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Which North African region remained an independent state, unlike Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripolitania during the early modern period?

Answer: Morocco

Explanation: While Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripolitania became Ottoman regencies, Morocco maintained its independence as a Sharifian state throughout the early modern period.

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The Safavid Empire is noted for its role in spreading which aspect of Islam in parts of the Caucasus and West Asia?

Answer: Shi'a Islam

Explanation: The Safavid Empire played a crucial role in establishing and spreading Shi'a Islam as the dominant form of Islam in Persia and parts of the surrounding regions.

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What was the 'Atlantic World'?

Answer: The interconnectedness of Western Europe, West Africa, and the Americas

Explanation: The 'Atlantic World' is a historiographical concept that highlights the complex interconnections and exchanges among Western Europe, West Africa, and the Americas throughout the early modern period.

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Economic and Technological Advancements

Mercantilism, experimental science, and the rise of nation-states were key trends during the early modern period.

Answer: True

Explanation: The early modern period was indeed marked by significant trends such as the development of mercantilist economic policies, the advancement of experimental science, and the consolidation of nation-states.

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The 'Great Divergence' refers to the economic and technological gap that widened between Western Europe and regions like China during the early modern period.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Great Divergence' accurately describes the phenomenon of an increasing economic and technological disparity between Western Europe and other major regions, notably China, which became pronounced during the early modern era.

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Gunpowder weapons rendered plate armor completely ineffective, leading to the immediate disappearance of knights from warfare.

Answer: False

Explanation: While gunpowder weapons significantly altered warfare and diminished the effectiveness of plate armor over time, they did not lead to its immediate or complete disappearance from warfare during the early modern period.

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Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' laid the groundwork for classical economics, focusing on free markets.

Answer: True

Explanation: Adam Smith's seminal work, 'The Wealth of Nations' (1776), is foundational to classical economics, articulating principles of free markets, division of labor, and economic growth.

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The 'Golden Age of Piracy' primarily occurred in the Mediterranean Sea during the 17th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Golden Age of Piracy' primarily took place in the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean regions, spanning periods from the late 17th to the mid-18th centuries, rather than being confined to the Mediterranean.

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The 'Great Divergence' describes the period when non-Western countries significantly outpaced Western Europe in technological innovation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Great Divergence' refers to the historical period, beginning in the early modern era, when Western Europe experienced a significantly faster rate of technological innovation and economic development compared to many other regions of the world.

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The 'Great Divergence' primarily refers to a widening gap between which regions?

Answer: Western Europe and China

Explanation: The 'Great Divergence' primarily refers to the widening economic and technological gap that emerged between Western Europe and regions such as China during the early modern period.

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Social and Demographic Transformations

Infant mortality rates in Europe during the early modern period were generally low, with most newborns surviving childhood.

Answer: False

Explanation: Infant mortality rates in Europe during the early modern period were notably high, with a significant proportion of newborns not surviving into childhood.

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Climate conditions, particularly harsh winters, were identified as a critical factor determining infant survival rates in Europe.

Answer: True

Explanation: Research indicates that climate conditions, especially severe winters, played a critical role in determining infant survival rates for children aged zero to five in Europe during the early modern period.

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Views on death became less significant, and methods of execution became less public during the early modern period.

Answer: False

Explanation: During the early modern period, views on death evolved, and methods of execution often became more elaborate and public, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards mortality and justice.

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What was identified as the most significant factor determining infant mortality rates (birth to age five) in Europe during the early modern period?

Answer: Climate conditions

Explanation: Research indicates that climate conditions, particularly severe winters, played a critical role in determining infant survival rates for children aged zero to five in Europe during the early modern period.

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