The Age of Exploration

1400-1750During this time, the European

view of the world changed dramatically

What motivated/caused exploration? #1, #2, #3

1. Trade with Asia (China & India) The Crusades established trade between

Europe and Asia. Spices, Silk, and other exotic goods were traded

Exploration was required to find a new trade route because trade in the Mediterranean Sea was dominated by the Italians and trade over land was dominated by the Muslims

Other European countries sought to gain easy access to these things so that they could become rich through trade

What motivated/caused exploration? #4, #5

2. Spread of Christianity Church leaders wanted to halt the spread of Islam

—this drive to halt Islam became a motivation for exploration following the Reconquista in Spain

3. Learning and Imagination The Renaissance expanded the world view of

Europeans and allowed them to consider new possibilities for exploration and discovery

People began to wonder about the earth’s size, shape, and people

What made exploration possible?

Prior to the 1400s, technology was a problem. Sailors were not able to explore very far for several reasons:

1. Maps were not very accurate2. Navigation was difficult which meant that

sailors could leave sight of land3. Ships had difficulty sailing against the

wind and ocean currents

What made exploration possible? #6, #7

The Renaissance changes all of this because many scientific improvements are made.

a. People realize the earth is round, not flat.b. Cartography (the science of map

making) improves and better more detailed maps are begin to be made

c. New forms of technology are discovered and improved upon

Technology #8,9,10

1. Compass-invented by the Chinese, allows sailors to determine direction

2. Astrolabe-invented by the Muslims, allows sailors to determine latitude

3. Caravel-a larger ship (up to 65 feet long) with lateen (triangular shaped) sails, multiple masts, a rudder in the back of the ship. Allows sailors to move faster, sail against the wind, maneuver more easily, carry a larger load (about 130 tons), sail up inlets and rivers, and carry weapons (rifles and cannons)

Exploration Begins #11,#12,#13 Portugal is the first European country to begin

exploring—the country gains independence in 1385 and begins looking for a way to profit from trade

Explorers sponsored by Portugal focus on sailing around Africa to reach Asia—people think Africa is an island that can be easily sailed around.

Prince Henry the Navigator, son of King John I of Portugal, sets up a school of navigation that brings together people from different cultures. The school focuses on mathematics, mapmaking, astronomy, navigation, and technology related to these fields. He also sponsors voyages into the Atlantic and down the coast of Africa

Portugal’s Exploration #14,#15,#16

Because of the work of Prince Henry and the new technology now available, Portuguese sea captains push southward along the coast of Africa. During this time Portugal establishes the slave trade.

1418-Madeira Islands are discovered 1460-Go around the bulge in Africa 1488-Bartholomeu Dias-reaches the tip of

Africa (called the Cape of Good Hope). This voyage proves you can reach Asia by sailing around Africa.

1497-1498-Vasco da Gama-leads four ships from Portugal to India (takes 10 months with stops along the African coast)

Spain’s Exploration #17, #18,#19

1492-Christopher Columbus sails from Spain to the Caribbean

1519-Ferdinand Magellan-a Portuguese sea captain sponsored by Spain, leads five ships and 260 men on a trip around the world.• Ships sailed along the coast of S. America and rounded the tip

through the Strait of Magellan-a narrow water passage dotted with rocky islands off the southern tip of S. America

• One ship is separated from the group and goes back to Spain while another is shipwrecked

• Magellan renames the calm ocean they are now in the Pacific Ocean

• 3 ships sail four months (many of the crew die of scurvy) and reach the Philippines-on April 27, 1521 Magellan is killed by natives

• September 6, 1522-One ship and 18 men return to Spain after more than 3 years at sea completing the first circumnavigation of the world proving the world is round.

Motivations Change #20

Following the success of Portugal and Spain along with the discovery of the New World, motivations for exploration were now:

a. Seek a “northwest passage” to Asia either through or around N. America

b. Secure gold, silver, gems and other valuables from the New World

c. Convert the Natives to Christianityd. Establish claims on new land e. Set up trading posts and settlements

Important Explorers and Their Achievements #21

Explorers Dates Achievements

For Spain1. Balboa

2. Ponce de Leon

3. Coronado

4. De Soto

1513

1513

1540

1541

Discovered the Pacific OceanDiscovered Florida-searched for the fountain of youthExplored the Southwest U.S. searching for the legendary 7 cities of gold

Discovered the Mississippi

Important Explorers and Their Achievements #21

Explorers Dates Achievements

For Portugal1. Cabral

For France1. Cartier

2. Champlain

3. Marquette and Joliet

1500

1535

1603-1608

1673

Discovered Brazil

Discovered the St. Lawrence River

Explored eastern Canada and northern New England, founded Quebec

Explored the upper Mississippi River Valley

Important Explorers and Their Achievements #21

Explorers Dates AchievementsFor England1. Cabot

2. Drake

3. Cook

For the Netherlands1. Hudson

1497

1577-1580

1768-1770

1609

Discovered Newfoundland

Led the second expedition to circumnavigate the world. Raided Spanish ships for gold and silver

Explored New Zealand, Australia, and other south Pacific islands

Entered New York Harbor and sailed up the Hudson River

Colonial Empires-Asia

1. Portugal-Established an important trading post at Goa in India, and others in the East Indies.

2. Spain-annexed the Philippine Islands.

3. The Netherlands-won control of the East Indies by capturing Portuguese trading posts.

4. France-established trading posts in India.

5. England-established trading posts in India and conquered the French posts to gain dominance in India in 1753. Also settled Australia.

Colonial Empires-The New World

1. Portugal-settled Brazil 2. Spain-settled the West Indies, Florida, Texas,

California, Mexico, Central and South America (except Brazil)

3. The Netherlands-founded the colony of New Netherland (area of Hudson River down to Delaware Bay)

4. France-settled Canada and founded Quebec and Montreal. Settled the Great Lakes and Mississippi River regions founding Detroit, New Orleans, and St. Louis

5. England-settled the Thirteen Colonies (captured Delaware and New Netherland from the Dutch. Captured Canada from France in 1763.

The Commercial Revolution #22

The result of overseas expansion and the establishment of trade was the Commercial Revolution: a time in which nations competed for markets and trade goods, new business methods were instituted for investing money, speeding the flow of wealth, and reducing the risks in commercial ventures.

It formed the roots of modern financial and business life.

The Commercial Rev. (cont.) #23

The Commercial Revolution included several effects on Europe and the New World.

In Europe:a. Expanded World Trade-A Global Trade was

established that included The Columbian Exchange and trade with Asia. This improved the living standards of people in Europe.

b. Shifted Economic Power-Europe’s major trade routes shifted from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and Italy declined in power. Also, Europe’s middle class (merchants, bankers, capitalists) grew in number and achieved greater economic power, however, they lacked political power and social status of the nobility.

Commercial Rev. (cont.) #24, #25, #26

c. Europe adopted Mercantilism-a national economic policy based on the theory that a state’s power depended on its wealth.

Because of this theory, the goal of every nation was to become as wealthy as possible.

A nation’s wealth was measured by the amount of bullion (gold and silver) it owned

Nations sought to create a favorable balance of trade in which they exported more than they imported.

The Finance of Trade #27

How was trade financed?1. Once trade was established, individuals sought to

make more money for themselves. They turned to wealthy banking families for loans that would pay for their voyages. (Families like the Medici in Florence, Italy) Over time, these families were replaced by government chartered banks.

2. Wealthy merchants who sought to make even more money on trade combined their resources to form Joint-Stock Companies-organizations that sold stock in the venture, enabling large and small investors to share in the profits and risk of trading voyages