AIM: EXPLORATIONS, ENCOUNTERS, & IMPERIALISM Global History & Geography Regents Review Unit 4 Section 4

Reconquista and Expulsions Ferdinand of Argon and Isabella of Castile became the powerful rulers of Spain in By 1492, they forced the Muslims from Granada and that completed the “Reconquista” or the campaign started by Christians to recapture Spain from the Muslims. Queen Isabella sought religious unity in Spain. She launched a brutal crusade against the Moors (Muslims) and the Jews who refused to convert to Christianity. Hundreds of thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were forced into exile.

Impact of Technology The Printing Press: In the mid 1400s, German Printer Johann Gutenberg became the first person to use a printing press to print a book. Through the use of movable type, books could now be made quickly and cheaply. Gunpowder: European explorers benefited from advances in military technology. By the 1400s, the Portuguese were equipping their ships with sturdy cannons. Naval Technology: Mapmakers (Cartographers) created better maps and charts of the seas. Magnetic compasses and astrolabe helped to navigate the oceans.

Early Explorations & Encounters In 1415, Prince Henry of Portugal – also known as Henry the Navigator explored the coast of Africa. In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias round the Cape of Good Hope at the Southern tip of Africa In 1492, Christopher Columbus an Italian explorer convince Isabella and Ferdinand to pay for his explorations. Columbus wanted to find a route to Asia to circumvent the routes controlled by the Muslims. He set sail with 3 three ships and a crew made of Jews that Isabella wanted out of Spain. Columbus struck land two months later. He thought he landed in Asia but actually landed in the Caribbean.

Europeans Compete for Colonies - Imperialism Imperialism is the domination by one country of another. Between the 1500s and 1700s Europeans led imperialistic campaigns throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Imperialism in Africa: By the mid 1600s, the Dutch arrived at the south western tip of Africa and established the Cape town settlement. Dutch sailors could now repair their ships as they traveled to or from the East Indies. Dutch farmers who settled in Cape Town were called Boers. The Boers considered Africans to be inferior or ousted or enslaved them. Imperialism in Asia: The Europeans quickly established trading posts in Asia. Portugal was the first to set up colonies in Asia.

Portugal: In the early 1500s, the Portuguese took control of the Indians trade network from the Muslims. The Portuguese controlled the spice trade between Europe and Asia. The Dutch: In the late 1500s, the Dutch challenged Portugal’s dominance. The Dutch East India Company was formed in the early 1600s. In 1641, the Dutch seized ports controlled by Portugal and began trading with China. The Dutch East India Company declined in the mid 1700s. Spain: Ferdinand Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the world. Magellan founded the Philippine Islands for Spain. England and France: In the 1700s, both countries began competing for the Asian trade network. Both countries opened East India Trade Companies but the British company was more powerful and eventually pushed the French out. Imperialism

Imperialism in the Americas Spanish Conquistadors: Or conquerors traveled to the Americas in the years following Columbus’ voyages. Some wanted gold and some wanted to spread Christianity. Herman Cortes landed in Mexico within the Aztec empire and conquered them. In 1532, another conquistador, Francisco Pizarro destroyed the Incan empire. Reasons for Success of the Conquistadors The Spanish used armor, horses, and powerful weapons that the Native Americans had never seen before The Spanish found allies among Native American groups who hated being ruled by Aztecs and Incas. Diseases brought by Europeans killed millions of native people, causing them to believe that their own Gods had deserted them

Battle for North America Spain’s profitable American empire attracted the attention of other European powers. Dutch, English, and French explorers had long searched North America for a Northwest Passage to Asia. By the 1600s, these nations had planted permanent colonies on the continent. In the 1600s, the French settled Canada. In 1607, the British settled its first colony in Jamestown. Soon, 13 colonies were set up along the east coast. In the mid 1700s, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands clashed over territory and trade in North America. The British defeated the French in the French Indian War. The French were forced to give up Canada leaving much of North America under British control.

Triangular Trade and Slavery Causes of the Slave Trade: African Kings were more than willing to sell their people into slavery and Europeans were more than willing to buy them to satisfy the labor shortage for the vast plantations in America. The Middle Passage: The voyage from Africa to the Americas on slave ships was called the Middle Passage. Hundreds of people were crammed onto a single ship. Millions of Africans died on the way to America from disease, brutal treatment, and suicide. Effects of the Slave Trade: By the 1800s, when the slave trade ended an estimated 11 million Africans had been part of the slave trade. Many parts of Africa relied very heavily on the slave trade.

The Spanish Empire During the 1500s, the Spanish Empire in the Americas stretched from California to South American and brought great wealth to the nation. In return, the Spanish brought their government, religion, economy, and culture to the Americas. Government: Spain maintained strict control over their empire. Religion: Thousands were pressured to convert to Christianity. Encomienda System: Colonies were only allowed to trade with Spain. Conquistadors at first forced Native Indians to work the plantations and then enslaved Africans. Culture: Cultural Diffusion was practiced as European, Native American, and African traditions were blended together. Social Classes: A strict social order was formed in the Spanish colonies.

Social Structure of the Spanish Colonies

The Columbian Exchange: Plants, Animals, People, and Diseases A global exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas, and technology began during the time. Plants including Maize (corn) and potatoes traveled to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Other plants such as bananas and rice, traveled back to the Americas. From Africa and Asia, goats and chickens came over to the Americas. Unfortunately, other exchanges occurred: disease such as measles and typhus devastated populations in the Americas.

The Columbian Exchange

European Capitalism & Mercantilism Increased trade with the colonies encouraged European capitalism. Joint stock companies grew in significance as their profits allowed for further overseas exploration. Mercantilism: Wealth was built by the colonies by exporting more goods than they imported. Colonies supplied their parent nation with raw materials and served as a market for its exports. Nobles became less powerful and wealthy as their wealth rested on the land they owned. Merchants were becoming very wealthy due to trade within the colonies. This allowed a new middle class to develop in most of Europe.

Summary From 1500 to 1700, European nations set off on voyages of exploration, establishing empires and trade links around the world. Western European countries competed for colonies and trade in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Slave trade between Africa and the Americas developed into a huge and profitable business. This European expansion had an enormous impact, resulting in many exchanges that altered the lives of people around the world.