 Began in the early 15th century and lasted until the 17th century.  Sometimes referred to as the “Age of Discovery”.  The period is characterized as a time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods, and new trade routes.

 Reasons for Exploration  For centuries, Europeans had depended on traditional trade routes (such as the Silk Road) with the Far East.  But the trade was limited and did not meet the desire of Europeans for new goods.

 Reasons for Exploration  As a result, many turned to their respective governments which had their own desires for the exploration of new areas.  Many nations were looking for goods such as silver and gold but one of the biggest reasons for exploration was the desire to find a new route for the spice and silk trades.

 Reasons for Exploration  As European nations such as: Portugal, Spain, France and England became more centralized states, their rulers became more powerful.  Monarchs and wealthy merchants could then pay for voyages of exploration in search of new sea trade routes to the East.

 Reasons for Exploration  When the Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453, it blocked European access to the area, which severely limited trade.  As a result, finding new trade routes became increasingly important to the European nations.

 Reasons for Exploration  Europeans sought new ideas and knowledge about the world.  In the years before and during the Age of Exploration, a new way of thinking developed that encourage individuals to explore and understand the world.

 Reasons for Exploration  Advances in navigation and mapping allowed greater exploration.  In the years before the Age of Exploration, knowledge and necessary sailing skills were developed by the merchants and sailors who sailed the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

 Reasons for Exploration  Advances in navigation and shipbuilding meant that ships could travel further and explore new areas.

 Reasons for Exploration  The carrack and the caravel were two new ships used in the Age of Exploration.  The carrack offered room for a large crew and provisions as well as cargo for goods to be brought back home.

 Reasons for Exploration  The caravel was designed to take advantage of the wind and were easier to sail then the carrack.

 Did you know?  Columbus had a carrack and two caravels with him on his first voyage to the New World in 1492.

 The first of the journeys associated with the Age of Discovery were conducted by the Portuguese under Prince Henry the Navigator.  These voyages were different than those previously conducted by the Portuguese because they covered a much larger area.

 Henry the Navigator set up a school of navigation in 1419 in Portugal.  Under his direction scholars perfected sailing techniques, instruments, designs for sails, and mapping techniques.

 Henry the Navigator is credited with establishing many practices used by explorers:  He was the first to require his captains to keep logs of their journeys. This process continues to this day. Captain’s log…

 As Portugal, France, Spain and England became more powerful countries, many factors set them up as the leading countries during the Age of Exploration.

 Portugal, France, Spain and England came to lead the Age of Exploration because:  Each had an Atlantic coastline, which put them in great position to explore the world to the west.  The monarchs of the these countries were open to financing explorations in hopes of establishing trade routes to the Far East.

 Portugal:  Explorers from Portugal began the European Age of Exploration.  In the early 1400s, Portuguese sailors headed along the western coast of Africa in hopes of finding a new route to India and China.  They were so successful that Lisbon became the new trade capitol of Europe.

 Spain:  Spain was envious of Portugal’s wealth and power and decided to send its own expeditions to the Far East.  Seeking a quicker route to India and China then around the southern tip of Africa, Spanish explorers sailed west across the Atlantic.  Christopher Columbus

 Spain:  The most famous explorations undertaken by Spain was the four voyages of Christopher Columbus, beginning with his first in  Columbus is credited with being the first European to explore the New World (besides the Vikings 500 years earlier) and beginning the wave of European exploration and settlement that would follow.

 England:  Despite financing the voyage of John Cabot to Newfoundland in 1497, England did not show major interest in exploration until the late 1500s.  Portugal and Spain had become so powerful that it had decided it was time to begin its own explorations.

 England:  England established many colonies in the New World including throughout the modern day eastern seaboards of Canada and United States.

 France:  France was also inspired to begin explorations in the 1500s after seeing the wealth is brought to Spain and Portugal.  France explorations focused on areas around the St. Lawrence River in Canada especially under the voyage of Jacques Cartier in 1534.

 The Age of Exploration ended in the early 17th century after technological advancements and increased knowledge of the world allowed Europeans to travel easily across the globe by sea.  In addition, the creation of settlements along the coasts of the newly found areas created a network of communication and trade, therefore ending the need to search for trade routes.

 Though the Age of Exploration officially ended in the 17th century, it is important to note however that the exploration did not cease entirely at this time.  Eastern Australia was not discovered until 1770 and the Arctic and Antarctic areas were not heavily explored until the 19th century.  Much of Africa also was also unexplored until the 19th and even early 20th centuries.