Age of Exploration

Two major factors helped lead to the “Age of Exploration”.

European countries wanted to spread Christianity European countries wanted to develop wealth and power

New nations in Europe competed for power European kings believed that more wealth meant more power

This was the basis for Mercantile Theory Mercantile Theory—money equals power.

Trade routes between Europe and Asia passed through the Middle East Bypassing the Middle East would cut off Muslim middlemen and increase profits

Portugal Prince Henry the Navigator set up a school for navigation in Portugal. Portugal was the first government in Europe to support sea exploration.

In 1487, Dias rounded the tip of Africa. Later, Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea.

Bartholomeu Dias

Vasco da Gama

Portugal went on to dominate trade with India. Portugal built the first European overseas empire.

Portuguese Influence Declines By the late 1500s Portuguese influence began to decline. There are three main reason for this decline.

The government was not strong enough to control its officials overseas. Portugal did not have a large enough population to provide enough men to control such an empire.

In 1580, Portugal was defeated by Spain and placed under Spanish rule. Many of its possessions were seized by the Dutch and French. VIDEO

Age of Exploration Part Two

Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean India Portugal Spain Cape of Good Hope Da Gama Indian Ocean India Portugal Spain Cape of Good Hope

Spain Spain also wanted to secure the wealth of trading with the Far East. However, Portugal fiercely defended its trade routes from foreigners

After the Pope banned Spanish interference in Portugal’s eastern sea routes, Spain sought a new route to Asia.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus approached King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain about a plan to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean to reach India.

Columbus had already been turned down by the English, French and Portuguese. Spain, who needed the wealth for its empire, accepted.

However, instead of reaching India, Columbus stumbled upon America.

Columbus believing he had reached the coast of India, named the native Indians. America became known as the West Indies.

Spain sent 17 ships and 1500 people in order to establish a permanent colony, which was different than Portugal.

A map maker named Amerigo Vespucci, said that Columbus did not find Asia, but rather a “New World”. America is named after Amerigo

Spain and Portugal became the 1st two nations to compete against each other for colonies.

Both nations were strongly Catholic and turned to the Pope to settle their disputes.

In 1493, Pope drew a line on a “world map” known as the Line of Demarcation. Curtain #1 Curtain #2

Spain received all the land west of the line Portugal gets all the land east of the line

In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas moved the line farther west.

Spain India Da Gama Atlantic Ocean Spain West Indies

South America Map Worksheet Use pages 87–89 in your atlas

The Spanish were eager to explore possibilities of a “New World”.

1513—Balboa explored the Isthmus of Panama. 1513—Ponce de Leon explored Florida in search of the fountain of youth. 1519—Magellan led the first voyage around the world.

Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Philippines Spain Brazil India Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Da Gama Philippines Spain Brazil Strait of Magellan

Magellan’s voyage proved… Earth was much larger than first thought The oceans of the world were all connected

Age of Exploration Part Three

The Spanish were not only motivated in finding trade routes. The Conquistadors, who were mainly motivated by greed, sought gold.

Conquistadors came to the “New World” to conquer.

1519 – Hernan Cortes captured and eventually destroyed the Aztec civilization in Mexico. Cortes introduced the horse and guns to the Americas.

1529—Francisco Pizarro plundered and destroyed the Inca civilization in Peru in South America.

1539—Hernando de Soto found the Mississippi River while searching for riches. 1540—Francisco Vázquez de Coronado founded the Grand Canyon.

Native Americans lacked the immunity to European diseases. Large segments of the population were wiped out by small pox, malaria, and yellow fever.

This caused the Spanish to import more and more slaves. By 1700 the largest part of the population of the West Indies was African slaves.

VIDEO

The English, Dutch and French did not recognize the Line of Demarcation. However, these nations did not have the naval strength to interfere with Spain and Portugal.

Therefore, these countries sought a new trade route to India, which became known as The Northwest Passage.

Unable to find a Northwest Passage, these nations began to challenge the Spanish and Portuguese in their own waters.

John Cabot began explorations for England in 1497.

By the mid 1500’s England began to challenge the Spanish for power in the “New World”.

Government supported pirates known as “sea dogs” caused problems for the Spanish and claimed much land for England.

By 1600, England was establishing permanent colonies with the help of the East India Company.

The English set a colony in North America called Jamestown in 1607. Jamestown was established in search of gold and silver.

In 1620, Pilgrims settled in North America at Plymouth.