--- title: "Unit 4 – Global Connections: 1450-1750 - AP World History: Modern" description: "Review Unit 4 – Global Connections: 1450-1750 for AP World History: Modern with Fiveable study guides and practice resources." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4" type: "unit" subject: "AP World History: Modern" unit: "Unit 4 – Global Connections: 1450-1750" --- # Unit 4 – Global Connections: 1450-1750 - AP World History: Modern ## Overview Review Unit 4 – Global Connections: 1450-1750 for AP World History: Modern with Fiveable study guides and practice resources. ## Study Guides - [4.7 Changing Social Hierarchies: Class and Race from 1450-1750](/ap-world/unit-4/class-race-1450-1750/study-guide/SxOxtXyd6i06xmVT8fj1) - [4.3 Columbian Exchange](/ap-world/unit-4/columbian-exchange/study-guide/gYhwS9yN9luYJZRLa41W) - [4.6 Internal and External Challenges to State Power from 1450 to 1750](/ap-world/unit-4/state-power-1450-1750/study-guide/x3Js208xx6AEye7b1nJQ) - [4.8 Continuity and Change from 1450 to 1750](/ap-world/unit-4/continuity-change-1450-1750/study-guide/0dmrRBBqOL11afBJp2P2) - [4.2 Exploration: Causes and Events from 1450 to 1750](/ap-world/unit-4/causes-exploration-1450-1750/study-guide/4YUQxFqt2qoCSrgvlDhJ) - [4.1 Technological Innovations from 1450 to 1750](/ap-world/unit-4/new-technologies-1450-1750/study-guide/9ZSxdzOhxt62W56sxkta) - [4.5 Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed](/ap-world/unit-4/maritime-empires-maintained-developed/study-guide/MCj5jxq2U5pz3auzGpTT) - [4.4 Maritime Empires Established](/ap-world/unit-4/maritime-empires-established/study-guide/qH0WTQywqbJVV9OrAZ2f) ## FAQs ### What topics are covered in AP World Unit 4? AP World Unit 4 covers 8 topics spanning 1450-1750: New Technologies, Causes of Exploration, the Columbian Exchange, Maritime Empires Established, Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed, State Power, Class and Race, and Continuity and Change. Together they trace how transoceanic contact reshaped economies, societies, and political systems worldwide. See the full topic breakdown at [/ap-world/unit-4](/ap-world/unit-4). ### How much of the AP World exam is Unit 4? AP World Unit 4 makes up 12-15% of the AP exam, making it one of the more heavily tested units. It covers transoceanic interactions from 1450-1750, including the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, the causes of exploration, and how state power shifted as European contact reshaped global trade networks. ### What's on the AP World Unit 4 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)? The AP World Unit 4 progress check includes both MCQ and FRQ parts drawn from all 8 topics in the unit. MCQs test your ability to analyze sources on the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, causes of exploration, and state power from 1450-1750. The FRQ portion typically asks you to construct an argument or contextualize change over time using those same themes. Practice with matched questions at [/ap-world/unit-4](/ap-world/unit-4) to get comfortable with the progress check format before exam day. ### How do I practice AP World Unit 4 FRQs? AP World Unit 4 FRQs most often draw from the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, and state power, asking you to write a Document-Based Question (DBQ), Long Essay (LEQ), or Short Answer Question (SAQ). Focus on building arguments around causation and continuity and change over time, since those are the skills College Board tests most in this unit. A strong practice routine: outline one LEQ prompt per topic, then check your thesis against the scoring rubric. You can find Unit 4 FRQ practice at [/ap-world/unit-4](/ap-world/unit-4). ### Where can I find AP World Unit 4 practice questions? The best place to find AP World Unit 4 practice questions, including multiple-choice and practice test sets, is [/ap-world/unit-4](/ap-world/unit-4). You'll find MCQs covering the Columbian Exchange, new technologies, maritime empires, and causes of exploration, all matched to the 12-15% exam weight this unit carries. Working through timed practice sets by topic is the most efficient way to spot gaps before the exam. ### How should I study AP World Unit 4? Start AP World Unit 4 by building a timeline from 1450-1750 that connects new technologies and the causes of exploration to the maritime empires that followed. From there, zoom in on the Columbian Exchange, since it links almost every other topic in the unit, from demographic shifts to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade. Here's a practical study sequence: 1. Read and annotate topics 4.1-4.3 (New Technologies, Causes of Exploration, Columbian Exchange) first, since they set up everything else. 2. Move to 4.4-4.5 on maritime empires established and maintained, noting how state power (4.6) supported imperial expansion. 3. Finish with 4.7 (Class and Race) and 4.8 (Continuity and Change) to practice the big-picture synthesis College Board loves on FRQs. 4. Do at least one timed LEQ using a prompt about this period before test day. Find practice materials and study guides at [/ap-world/unit-4](/ap-world/unit-4). ## Structured Data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","inLanguage":"en","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#what-topics-are-covered-in-ap-world-unit-4","name":"What topics are covered in AP World Unit 4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP World Unit 4 covers 8 topics spanning 1450-1750: New Technologies, Causes of Exploration, the Columbian Exchange, Maritime Empires Established, Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed, State Power, Class and Race, and Continuity and Change. Together they trace how transoceanic contact reshaped economies, societies, and political systems worldwide. See the full topic breakdown at /ap-world/unit-4."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#how-much-of-the-ap-world-exam-is-unit-4","name":"How much of the AP World exam is Unit 4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP World Unit 4 makes up 12-15% of the AP exam, making it one of the more heavily tested units. It covers transoceanic interactions from 1450-1750, including the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, the causes of exploration, and how state power shifted as European contact reshaped global trade networks."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#whats-on-the-ap-world-unit-4-progress-check-mcq-and-frq","name":"What's on the AP World Unit 4 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The AP World Unit 4 progress check includes both MCQ and FRQ parts drawn from all 8 topics in the unit. MCQs test your ability to analyze sources on the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, causes of exploration, and state power from 1450-1750. The FRQ portion typically asks you to construct an argument or contextualize change over time using those same themes. Practice with matched questions at /ap-world/unit-4 to get comfortable with the progress check format before exam day."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#how-do-i-practice-ap-world-unit-4-frqs","name":"How do I practice AP World Unit 4 FRQs?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP World Unit 4 FRQs most often draw from the Columbian Exchange, maritime empires, and state power, asking you to write a Document-Based Question (DBQ), Long Essay (LEQ), or Short Answer Question (SAQ). Focus on building arguments around causation and continuity and change over time, since those are the skills College Board tests most in this unit. A strong practice routine: outline one LEQ prompt per topic, then check your thesis against the scoring rubric. You can find Unit 4 FRQ practice at /ap-world/unit-4."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#where-can-i-find-ap-world-unit-4-practice-questions","name":"Where can I find AP World Unit 4 practice questions?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The best place to find AP World Unit 4 practice questions, including multiple-choice and practice test sets, is /ap-world/unit-4. You'll find MCQs covering the Columbian Exchange, new technologies, maritime empires, and causes of exploration, all matched to the 12-15% exam weight this unit carries. Working through timed practice sets by topic is the most efficient way to spot gaps before the exam."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-4#how-should-i-study-ap-world-unit-4","name":"How should I study AP World Unit 4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Start AP World Unit 4 by building a timeline from 1450-1750 that connects new technologies and the causes of exploration to the maritime empires that followed. From there, zoom in on the Columbian Exchange, since it links almost every other topic in the unit, from demographic shifts to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade. Here's a practical study sequence: 1. Read and annotate topics 4.1-4.3 (New Technologies, Causes of Exploration, Columbian Exchange) first, since they set up everything else.\n2. Move to 4.4-4.5 on maritime empires established and maintained, noting how state power (4.6) supported imperial expansion.\n3. Finish with 4.7 (Class and Race) and 4.8 (Continuity and Change) to practice the big-picture synthesis College Board loves on FRQs.\n4. Do at least one timed LEQ using a prompt about this period before test day. Find practice materials and study guides at /ap-world/unit-4."}}]} ```