Question

two world maps labeled 1550 and 1660, showing the territories of different countries/empires (england/uk, france, portugal, spain, russia/ussr, ottoman empire/turkey, denmark, and netherlands in 1660) with different colored regions. the 1550 map has regions colored for england/uk, france, portugal, spain, russia/ussr, ottoman empire/turkey, denmark. the 1660 map adds netherlands and has some territorial changes in the colored regions compared to 1550.

Explanation:

To analyze this problem, we focus on the changes in the territorial claims or colonial holdings of different countries between 1550 and 1660 as shown on the world maps.

Step 1: Identify the countries and their regions in 1550

• England/UK: Limited presence (maybe in parts of Europe).
• France: Some presence in Europe.
• Portugal: Colonial regions in South America (green - hued areas).
• Spain: Colonial regions in the Americas (yellow - hued areas).
• Russia/USSR: Presence in parts of Europe and Asia (purple - hued areas).
• Ottoman Empire/Turkey: Presence in the Middle East and parts of Europe (gray - hued areas).
• Denmark: Some presence in Europe and maybe other regions (greenish - gray hued areas).

Step 2: Identify the changes by 1660

• England/UK: Expanded in North America (new red - hued areas).
• France: Expanded in North America (new blue - hued areas) and maybe other regions.
• Portugal: Adjusted its colonial regions in South America (the green - hued areas changed).
• Spain: Adjusted its colonial regions in the Americas (the yellow - hued areas changed).
• Russia/USSR: Expanded in Europe and Asia (the purple - hued areas grew).
• Ottoman Empire/Turkey: Maintained or adjusted its presence in the Middle East and Europe.
• Denmark: Maintained or adjusted its presence.
• Netherlands: New presence (new brown - hued areas, likely in colonial regions).

If we were to answer a specific question like "Which country expanded its colonial holdings in North America between 1550 and 1660?"

Looking at the maps, England/UK (red - hued areas) and France (blue - hued areas) show new colonial holdings in North America by 1660 compared to 1550. England/UK has expanded in North America with new red - colored regions, and France has new blue - colored regions in North America.

Answer:

England/UK and France (England/UK expanded its colonial holdings in North America with new red - hued regions; France expanded its colonial holdings in North America with new blue - hued regions)