Historian: Fifteenth-century advances in mapmaking contributed to the rise of modern nation-states. In medieval Europe (from the fifth to the fifteenth century), sovereignty centered in cities and towns and radiated outward, with boundaries often ambiguously defined. The conceptual shift toward the modern state began in the late fifteenth century, when mapmakers learned to reflect geography accurately by basing maps on latitude-longitude grids. By the mid-seventeenth century, nearly all maps showed boundary lines. Which of the following would, if true, most strengthen the historian's reasoning? (A) Borders did not become codified in Europe until certain treaties were signed in the early nineteenth century. (B) During the medieval period, various authorities in Europe claimed power over collections of cities and towns, not contiguous territories. (C) Many members of the political elite collected maps as a hobby during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. (D) Seventeenth-century treatises and other sources of political authority describe areas of sovereignty rather than illustrate them using maps. (E) During the fifteenth century in Europe, mapmakers simplified the borders of sovereignty by drawing clear lines of demarcation between political powers. CR79751.01 OG2020 NEW QUESTION

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Historian: Fifteenth-century advances in mapmaking contributed to the

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anindhio

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GMATNinja

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Hi, I was torn on between B and E and am still unsure why B is not the correct answer. Could anyone please help to explain?

Thanks in advance

The author concludes that "Fifteenth-century advances in mapmaking contributed to the rise of modern nation-states."

His/her reasoning is that:

BEFORE the 15th century, sovereignty centered in cities/towns, radiated outward, and had poorly defined borders
DURING the 15th century, mapmakers learned to create more accurate maps
AFTER the 15th century (by the 17th century), nearly all maps showed boundary lines

Quote:

E. During the fifteenth century in Europe, mapmakers simplified the borders of sovereignty by drawing clear lines of demarcation between political powers.

(E) nicely fills a gap in the author's reasoning. From the analysis above, we can see that he/she concluded somehow that:

better maps in the 15th century + maps having boundary lines in the 17th century = better maps contributed to the rise of nation-states

Without further information, the link between improved mapmaking skills and the rise of nation states is pretty weak -- we know that the mapmaking improvements occurred BEFORE the implementation of boundary lines, but there is little to show that better maps somehow contributed to this geopolitical phenomenon.

(E) tells us specifically that 15th century mapmakers drew in clear lines between political powers. This information provides a link between the improved skill of mapmakers and the rise of boundary lines, which are a key component of modern nation-states.

(E) strengthen's the author's reasoning, so (E) is looking good.

Quote:

B. During the medieval period, various authorities in Europe claimed power over collections of cities and towns, not contiguous territories.

(B) gives us more information about the time period BEFORE the 15th century. Instead of each city/town having its own authority, some authorities claimed power over several of these areas.

Interesting, but does this impact the author's reasoning in any way? There is no connection here to the conclusion that "advances in mapmaking contributed to the rise of modern nation-states." (B) gives us a slightly clearer picture of power in Europe before the 15th century, but it does not add any significant information to tie together pieces of the author's reasoning, or to better link his/her reasoning to the conclusion.

(B) doesn't strengthen the author's reasoning, so it is not the correct answer.

I hope that helps!

Hi I still don't get it with the explanation above.

I picked E because my reasoning was: the fact that mapmakers simplified the borders of sovereignty by drawing clear lines of demarcation between political powers during 15th century shows that they are contributing into the conceptual shift toward the modern state

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