The Age of Exploration Forces Behind European Exploration God (Religious Motivations) Missionaries: spread word of Christ Many other religions seen as “savage” Increase power of Catholic Church Glory (Personal Motivations) Spirit of adventure, natural curiosity Individual claim to fame (fortune?) Power of Kings and Queens, empire Gold (Economic Motivations) European interests in Asia Spices, silk, tea, porcelain = $$$ Rise of Ottomans restricted Silk Road Could eliminate “middle man” by sea Hope of discovering precious metals Economic theory of Mercantilism Emerging notion of Euro. supremacy Effects of Renaissance on Exploration?

The Age of Exploration The First Exploring Nations: Spain Christopher Columbus Italian, convinced Queen Isabella of Spain to finance experimental journey Many at the time knew world was round, but not sure how large thought he’d found short-cut to India by sailing west from Europe 1492: Columbus discovers what he thought were islands off China coast Called islands “West Indies” Actually in Caribbean Sea (America) Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) Agreement between Portugal & Spain Claimed unknown lands for Church Line of Demarcation splits globe Portugal: rights to “Old World” Spain: rights to most of “New World”

A Spanish Empire in the New World Conquistadors (conquerors) were sent to explore Spain’s vast new territory Hernan Cortes (1519) Overthrew powerful Aztec Empire in modern-day Mexico, in only 3 yrs Francisco Pizarro (1531-1532) Took control of Incan civilization in South America over 30 years Why? God, Glory, mostly GOLD. The Spanish encomienda system Queen declared “Indians” her subjects Could legally be used as laborers Spanish were supposed to protect Native Americans; widely abused Forced labor in mines, on plantations Little resistance to European diseases Smallpox, measles, typhus Massive losses in populations Missionary efforts to destroy culture

The Age of Exploration The Columbian Exchange Term given to the extensive exchange of plants & animals between the Old World and the New World. Previously isolated for more than a thousand years. Huge impact on both sides of Atlantic

The Economic Theory of Mercantilism Economic principle focused around the wealth of the nation-state Gov’t control of foreign trade is top priority to ensure prosperity & security Measured by supply of gold & silver Gained thru favorable balance of trade (Export more than you import) Policies of European Rulers Discourage import of foreign goods high taxes on imports (tariffs) Encourage export of manufactures Protect favorable trading monopolies Accept pay in gold, never pay in gold Establish & Protect Colonies Source of raw materials, gold, & silver Protected market to sell manufactures Effects of Mercantilism European abuses in Americas, Africa National rivalries based on trade, war

Ancient African Civilizations Role of Geography Climate dictates where, how people live Variety of resources throughout Africa Empires Through Trade North African Nile civilizations grew powerful through trade alliances Kush (Nubia) (1000BC - 150AD) Axum (150BC – 1550BC) West African Empires Rise and Fall Located on Niger River valley All centered on trading, taxes Iron, gold, ivory, SALT? Stateless societies in Southern Africa Local rulers, mixed economies Rise of Zimbabwe through gold trade Ancient custom of slavery in Africa

The African Slave Trade “Discovery” of Americas, sugarcane created huge demand for African slave Early domination by Portuguese explorers Sugar plantations in Caribbean, Brazil are incredibly deadly Native workforce destroyed by disease Tradition of trade and slavery in Africa different from slavery in New World Triangular Trade Routes AFRICA: import rum, manufactured goods, export slaves, gold, ivory AMERICA: import slaves, export raw materials, rum, gunpowder EUROPE: Import raw materials, export manufactured goods Effects of Slave Trade on Africa Tore families, communities apart Constant internal warfare in Africa Practice of “self-enslavement” (why?) Dramatic costs on African population

European Influence in the East India Expanding foreign presence (British) Spice Islands (Moluccas) Dutch traders and military eventually corner spice trade, local government Ex.: monopolize regional clove trade Est. military outpost to protect trade Mainland States of SE Asia Resisted Euro. influence for most part Stronger political identity, unity China Portuguese traders bring missionaries Noted for their new technologies Successful in spreading Christianity Highly restricted trade under Qing Refusal of expansion of British trade Japan Unified Japan initially pro Dutch trade Move toward isolationism after Jesuit missionaries destroy ancient shrines Many Japanese converts persecuted