AGE OF EXPLORATIONS

Ptolemy  By the 1400s most Europeans knew that the world was round, however there were no maps that expanded beyond the Mediterranean Sea.  In 1406, the Europeans discovered a book Geography that contained hand drawn maps of the World by a Greek educated Egyptian scholar named Ptolemy.

Motives for traveling  European countries had a more difficult time getting spices and silks from Asia since the Mongols lost control of the Silk Road.  New Technology- Europeans adopted the astrolabe from the Arabs. This device helped find latitudes.  The Chinese invented a compass which helped navigators find magnetic north.  Kings and Queens made money by taxing trade and therefore could afford expensive explorations.

1400s  Four Strong Kingdoms- England, France, Spain, and Portugal  Goal was to find a sea trade route to Asia….  Since England and France were fighting the Hundred Years War and Spain was fighting the Muslims this gave Portugal the early jump in the area of exploration

Motives  Portuguese discovered sugarcane on Africa’s coast line.  Sugar was valuable to Europe, the Portuguese began bringing enslaved Africans to the islands, beginning the system of slave labor and slave trade.

Motives  A sense of adventure  Overpopulation & search for new lands  Spread of Christianity  Wealth

Pattern Of Contact  Begin by trading  Armed conflict- Europeans had cannon  set up trading partners- some stay to protect partners and Europeans  made alliances with local leaders  Dutch and English less apt to become involved with culture/religion  developed mercantilism- material from colony- buy finished products from Europe.

Henry the Navigator  Henry the Navigator- Prince of Portugal. He set up a research center for shipbuilders, sailors, and cartographers to help him explore the world.

Bartholomew Dias  A Portuguese explorer he was the first to reach the southern tip of Africa, he named it the Cape of Good Hope.

Christopher Columbus- Italian Explorer  His plan was to reach the West Indies by going across the Atlantic Ocean.  In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain sponsored his expensive voyage since they had finally driven the Muslims from Spain.  Columbus landed in San Salvador an island near Cuba. However, he believed he was in Asia. He returned to the island three times, never realizing he was in the Americas.

Columbus & Queen of Spain

Columbus lands in America

Vasco da Gama  Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama found the eastern sea route to India  He sailed around the Southern tip of Africa

Vasco de Gama’s Route

Ferdinand Magellan  1 st circumnavigation of the globe.  Followed Columbus’s route. He sailed around the Americas and discovered the Strait of Magellan.  The Strait was stormy, when he arrived at the vast calm sea, he named it the Pacific Ocean because it was peaceful.  Magellan did not survive his voyage because he was killed by the local people of the Philippines, however his crew completed the voyage.

Magellan’s Route

Spanish Explorers  After the voyage of Columbus- Spain wanted to build a vast empire in the Americas.  They enslaved Native Americas and forced them to grow sugarcane.  Spanish nobles set out to the Americas with the hope of becoming rich, they were known as conquistadors. Two examples are:  Hernan Cortes- conquered the Aztecs  Francisco Pizarro- conquered the Incas

Results  Slavery  Colonialism  Mercantilism

Impact of European Contact  Positives of European contact  Negatives of European contact  Trade between Native Americans and Europeans  Horses and guns introduced to the Americas and the native people  Europeans learned how to farm crops such as maize.  Slavery began  Disease, such as smallpox and measles  Disappearance of the Mississippian Indians???

Impact on World by European Contact  Purpose was to serve the homeland: whether it was slaves, furs, cotton, fish, spices, tobacco, gold or silver.  Colonies improved the lives of Europeans greatly.  In the Americas  More intermarriage by Spanish /Portuguese and French  Disease was devastating. Measles, influenza, smallpox  Violence common

The World Dominated by Europe(cont)  Africa- completely dominated by Europe- only one independent country Ethiopia  Southeast and Asia- French in Vietnam, British in Burma, Spanish in Philippines, Dutch in Indonesia  India- French and British compete- British win out, not independent until 1948  South America- Spanish dominated: Others joined ( French, Dutch, British, and Portuguese) too