Age of Exploration Portuguese & Spanish Explorers

Why Governments Want Colonies Bullion – Material wealth (gold, silver, and other natural resources) To spread Christianity More space & resources for a growing population To compete with rival countries Technological improvements allowed for further exploration

Why Settlers Left for Colonies Flee religious persecution Escape European war More available land & wealth Start a new life For the adventure

Mercantilism The economic theory that a country’s wealth should be measured in bullion (gold and silver) European nations got bullion by establishing colonies in Africa, the Americas, and Asia

Portugal Prince Henry the Navigator: –Goal was to find gold for Portugal –Sailed along the west coast of Africa –Traded for gold, slaves and ivory

Portugal Bartholomew Diaz: –Sailed around the Cape of Good Hope (southern tip of Africa) –Found a route to the Indian Ocean

Portugal Vasco de Gama: –Went further into the Indian Ocean –First to trade with India by sea –Easier and cheaper to go by sea than by land

Spain Reconquista: 1492 –King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella drove all the Muslim Moors out of Spain –Began the Spanish Inquisition –Reconquista = “Reconquer”

Spain Treaty of Tordesillas: 1493 –Pope draws a north-south line in South America –Spain got territory west of the line –Portugal got territory east of the line WHO GOT THE BETTER DEAL?

Spain Christopher Columbus: –Wanted to find a westward route to India –Landed on Hispaniola (Haiti/DR) –Named it “West Indies” thinking he was in India –Died thinking he went to India –Columbian Exchange: Trade of products, plants, animals & disease between Europe and the “New World”

Spain Amerigo Vespucci: –Didn’t think Columbus was in Asia –First to call it the “New World” –Both North and South America are named for him

Spain Ponce de Leon: 1513 –Explored into Florida –Looking for the “Fountain of Youth”—one drink and you remain young forever

Spain Ferdinand Magellan: –Proved the New World was not part of Asia –Circumnavigated the globe –Named the Pacific Ocean “Pacificus” meaning “calm” –Killed in the Philippines

Spain Hernan Cortez: 1519 –Invaded Mexico –Seized and destroyed the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan –Killed King Montezuma II –Introduced horses and smallpox into Mesoamerica

Spain Francisco Pizarro: 1530 –Invaded Cusco, capital of the Incan empire in Peru –Captured and killed king Atahualpa –Destroyed the Incan empire –Introduced smallpox into South America

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