Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What primarily drove European sea powers to compete for control over the Atlantic in the 1700s?

1. Access to military technologies

2. Increasing imports of goods from the Americas

3. Desire for territorial expansion in Europe

4. Quest for alliances with Asian nations

The correct answer is: Increasing imports of goods from the Americas

The primary motivation for European sea powers to compete for control over the Atlantic in the 1700s was the increasing imports of goods from the Americas. The transatlantic trade, particularly of commodities such as sugar, tobacco, and later, cotton, created immense economic opportunities for European nations. Countries like Britain, France, and Spain sought to establish and maintain colonies in the Americas to secure access to these lucrative resources, which fueled their economies and empowered their naval capabilities. As these powers expanded their colonial empires, they sought to monopolize trade routes and markets, leading to fierce competition and conflict over territories that promised wealth. The trade also stimulated the demand for more ships and enhanced naval technologies, further driving the desire for control over the Atlantic. Access to military technologies, while significant, was a secondary factor that aided these powers once the competition was underway. Similarly, the desire for territorial expansion within Europe was less relevant in the context of the Atlantic competition, as it primarily involved overseas colonies and resources. The quest for alliances with Asian nations, while important in its own right, did not play a central role in the competition for Atlantic dominance during the 1700s. Overall, the focus on the economic benefits derived from the Americas distinctly characterized the motives of