Analyzing a Sample Essay on Portuguese Maritime Trade

This page presents a sample essay responding to the prompt: "Evaluate the extent to which the Portuguese transformed maritime trade in the Indian Ocean in the sixteenth century."

Key points from the essay:

• Portuguese enforced a system of passes and fees for vessels
• Muslim and Hindu merchants were displaced from traditional trading roles
• Portuguese established forts and trading posts, often through conquest
• Some existing trade practices continued alongside Portuguese control

Example: The essay cites Document 3, describing how Portuguese forced vessels to carry safe conduct passes or face deadly consequences.

Quote: "The Portuguese forced their wealth by forcing vessels (any size) to carry a safe conduct pass."

Definition: Safe conduct pass - A document granting permission for safe passage, often in exchange for a fee

Continued Analysis of Portuguese Impact on Indian Ocean Trade

This page continues the sample essay analysis, focusing on the broader implications of Portuguese actions in the Indian Ocean region.

Key points:

• Muslim merchants sought alternative trading locations
• Portuguese dominance led to a shift in regional power dynamics
• Some traditional trade practices persisted, such as Hindu brokers assisting merchants
• Cultural exchanges occurred, as evidenced by luxury goods traded between India and Portugal

Example: The essay references Document 5, describing an inlaid box made in India for export to Portugal, illustrating ongoing trade connections.

Highlight: Despite disruptions, some aspects of pre-existing trade networks continued to function alongside Portuguese control.

Vocabulary: Maritime trade - Commerce conducted via sea routes

This analysis provides insight into the complex effects of the Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean, balancing their forceful methods with the resilience of existing trade networks.

Page 3: Assessment Criteria

The page details evaluation metrics for analyzing Portuguese maritime influence and trade transformation.

Highlight: The assessment framework emphasizes multiple components including thesis development, contextual understanding, and evidence utilization.

Example: The Portuguese implementation of the safe conduct pass system demonstrates their economic control mechanisms.

Understanding the Portuguese Impact on Indian Ocean Trade

This page introduces a Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay prompt and rubric focused on evaluating Portuguese impact on Indian ocean trade in the sixteenth century.

The rubric outlines key components for a successful essay:

• Developing a defensible thesis
• Providing historical context
• Using evidence from documents
• Incorporating outside evidence
• Analyzing documents' perspectives
• Demonstrating complex understanding

Highlight: The rubric emphasizes the importance of using multiple documents and outside evidence to support arguments about the Portuguese impact on maritime trade.

Vocabulary: DBQ - Document-Based Question, a type of essay that requires analysis of historical documents