Global Power Dbq

Elizabeth Sheldon
Lash
AP World History, Gold 4
1/28/2015
The European Struggle for Global Power
In the mid 18th century many different powers in Europe were trying to spread their influence and gain global power. However, this was not without difficulty. There were many regional issues that these powers needed to overcome such as economic complications, struggles with native and conquered peoples, and competing with other European powers.
To gain power a country needed economic strength and that strength came from global trade. However, trade in an ever-changing world was not without its difficulties. In document 6, César de Choiseul’s letter to the French ambassador in London, he discusses difficulties in negotiating with the British, another

huge global power.

He states in his letter that the British have proposed a way to “quiet Spain about contraband trade” by putting a clause on the navigation of the Gulf of Mexico but he refused as that was the French’s only access to Lousiana. As a minister of foreign affairs he would want to minimize contraband trade as much as possible but it would hurt the French more to sacrifice communication with Louisiana, their only piece of America. In document 9, British representative for the Turks Islands, Andrew Symer’s letter to the British government he discusses the issue of high taxes charged by Spain and contraband. He suggests that the British work with the Spanish and allow the Spanish colonists into British ports without charging them so they can trade openly. As a British official he would want to try to establish a free trade system and end contraband commerce so the British economy

prospers. A more prosperous economy equals more money which is key if your goal is to be the most dominant power in the world. An additional type of document that would be helpful is a letter between two smugglers engaged in contraband commerce. This would provide insight into the details of this operation and how it prospered. Economic complications were a major hurdle that European nations had to overcome in their struggle for global power.
Another regional issue European powers had to overcome was controlling and compormising with native and conquered peoples. In document 7, Ponticac, chief of the Ottawa, addresses a gathering of Ottawa, Huron, and Potawatomi Indians shortly after the defeat of the French by the British. In this document Pontiac expresses his concern and desire to “strike” the British. He reveals that the French treated the Indians kindly, they mourned when Indians died but the British would laugh. As an ally of sorts to the French Ponticac and his tribe would be very upset by the British victory. Similarly in document 2 (Kisensik, a Nipissing chief’s speech at the Council of Indian Nations) there is another cry against the British. In the speech Kisensik is thanking the Great Lakes Indians for helping defend their territory against the British. European powers did not just anger the Native Americans but other conquered people as well. Other problems with natives appeared as well. In document 8 a secret report from a British East India Company employee to the company’s board of directors illustrates how the natives are not submitting to the British government. According to the document, the Augustinians instigated the natives to take arms against the British government. This would upset both the company and the British government as the company could lose money and the government wants the take over of these lands to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. In document 1, Robert Clive, a British East India Company officer’s report after defeating the ruler of Bengal this is highlighted. Clive lays out all of the negotiations made with Mir Jafar, a Bengali general. These negotiations were difficult as it was almost impossible to reach an agreement where both sides were completely happy. As an officer Clive would want to make the Bengali people somewhat appeased so that they would not revolt at a later date. Both native and conquered people created many complications for the Europeans seeking global power.
Finally, another struggle European powers have to face is other strong nations who want global power as well.

In document 3 Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, writes a letter to Maria Antonia, a German ally. She writes about how their mutual enemy, King Frederick of Prussia is at full strength and he will attack. As an empress Maria Theresa writes out of fear for her country and her allies. She says that she had hoped to move troops back into the territory that Frederick seized. Having to play defense and not being able to expand was a major hurdle for Austria. Looking at this from the other side, document 4 is a letter from King Frederick of Prussia to his foreign minister after experiencing a series of defeats by the Austrians. In this letter he addresses Prussia’s need to become allies with the Ottoman Turks. He also says that it may be time to start peace negotiations. As the leader of Prussia he is frantic and nervous. This shows not only the difficulty of fighting against other strong European powers but also how dangerous it is to rely on allies. An additional type of document that could provide further information would be a letter from Saxony, the German state and ally of Austria. This could provide further insight as to what was going on Often times the biggest obstacles in the way of Europeans struggling for power was other Europeans struggling for

power.
As shown by all of these documents the European struggle for global power in the mid-eighteen century was not without struggles. Economic complications, struggles with native and conquered peoples, and competing with other European powers were all regional issues that European nations had to overcome in order to become more powerful.