Science & Exploration
Scientific Revolution Roger Bacon: it’s ok to experiment w/ science! (1200s) Scientific Method: math, instruments, & experiments Copernicus: heliocentric theory (1543) Ptolemy’s geocentric model had previously prevailed
Science Johannes Kepler Proved Copernicus right w/ math Galileo Galilei Telescope! Inquisition w/ Church (1632) Guilty of heresy, forced to recant Isaac Newton Laws of GRAVITY and MOTION
Science Vesalius: Studied human body Harvey: Blood circulation Descartes: “I think, therefore I am” Francis Bacon: Scientific Method Boyle: chemistry & gases
Exploring Improved mapmaking Compass invented Caravel replaces old ship designs Commercial Revolution International trade/banking Joint-stock companies Monarchs support exploration
Mercantilism Country should increase wealth any way possible Colonies established Usually could only buy from home country Tariffs (taxes) on imports Government subsidizes business ventures Myths of wealth drive exploration (El Dorado)
Colonies Countries hunt for raw materials/mineral wealth Could only sell w/ home country Could not manufacture goods Overcrowding in Europe led to exploration Promise of wealth and knowledge overseas drew colonists
Portugal Prince Henry the Navigator Sent expeditions to Africa c. 1400s Charted seas, claimed colonies, began to trade Bartolomeu Dias Sails around Cape of Good Hope to Indian Ocean Vasco da Gama sails to India & opens trade
Vasco da Gama
Tower of Belem, Portugal
Spain Ferdinand & Isabella want to compete w/ Portugal Christopher Columbus Lands in Caribbean seeking route to India Makes 3 more trips
Columbian Exchange
Dividing the World Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), Spain & Portugal
Explorers Amerigo Vespucci (Italy) Realizes “New World” isn’t Asia ( ) Gets America named after him Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Spain) Crosses Panama, sees Pacific Ocean (1513) Executed by rival Ferdinand Magellan (Portugal) Names Pacific Ocean, tries sailing around world Dies in Philippines (1521), but one ship & 18 men return (1522)
Slave Trade Portugal starts w/ African sugar plantations Native Americans devastated by diseases Dutch, English, & French begin trade by 1600 Reached height in 1700s, early 1800s