Question

maritime empires maintained and developed quiz (mcqs)
portuguese ivory plaque representing the christ child on a sailing ship, produced in portuguese goa, * early seventeenth century
© the trustees of the british museum
1 mark for review
the implicit claim made by the image about a connection between religious devotion and maritime exploration best demonstrates which of the following in the period circa 1450–1750 ?
a increasing global connections expanded the reach of existing religions
b church authorities argued that religious diversity should be respected and protected.
c the intensification of cross - cultural interactions resulted in the development of syncretic religions.
d religious motivations for european exploration and colonization were secondary to economic motivations.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the image (Portuguese ivory plaque from Goa, early 17th century) and the options:

• Option A: The image shows a religious figure (Christ Child) on a sailing ship, representing maritime exploration. During 1450–1750, European maritime empires (like Portugal) expanded, and religious devotion (spreading Christianity) was tied to maritime exploration, expanding religious reach globally.
• Option B: There's no indication of Church authorities advocating religious diversity—they often sought to spread Christianity, not respect diversity.
• Option C: Syncretic religions involve blending, but the image focuses on Christian devotion in a maritime (colonial/exploration) context, not syncretism development.
• Option D: Religious motivations (spreading Christianity) were central, not secondary to economic ones during this period (e.g., Portugal’s missionary efforts alongside trade).

So, the image’s implicit claim about religious devotion and maritime exploration aligns with expanding religious reach via global connections (maritime exploration).

Answer:

A. Increasing global connections expanded the reach of existing religions