Exploration and Expansion (1450-1750)

The “Known World” In 1400

I. Voyages of Exploration & Discovery- Europeans seek direct contact with Asia for trade, discover a “new world” A. Expanding Horizons- the designs of large sailing ships allowed European long distance ocean travel

Caravel

Carrack

Galleon

B. Portuguese Explorations- in 1498 Vasco da Gama reached India by sailing around Africa

Vasco da Gama’s Route (1497-99)

C. In 1492 Queen Isabella of Spain sponsored a voyage by Christopher Columbus to reach Asia by sailing west

Columbus Speaks to Queen Isabella and her Council

Columbus’ Ships (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria)

The Santa Maria

1. Columbus reached the West Indies, but assumed it was India, naming the people “Indians” "It appears to me that the people [the Native Americans who met Columbus] are ingenious [clever], and would be good servants and I am of the opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion. They very quickly learn such words as are spoken to them."

D. By early 1500’s, Spanish/ Portuguese explorations had proven that there were two new continents

1. Amerigo Vespucci first to name these the New World (new lands named America in his honor)

2. Part of Ferdinand Magellan’s crew circumnavigated the globe (1519-1521)

“An Indian hurled a bamboo spear toward Magellan's face, but Magellan dodged and killed the Indian with his lance, which he left in the Indian's body. Then, Magellan reached for his sword, he could draw it out but halfway, because he had been wounded in the arm with a bamboo spear. When the natives saw that, they all hurled themselves upon him. One of them wounded him on the left leg. That caused the captain to fall face downward, when immediately they rushed upon him with spears and other weapons, until they killed our light, our comfort, and our true guide. When they wounded him, he turned back many times to see whether we were all in the boats. Thereupon, beholding him dead, we retreated, as best we could, to the boats, which were already pulling off.” --Antonio Pigafetta

E. English, French, & Dutch also began exploring the New World

1. Francis Drake of England raids Spanish settlements while circumnavigating the globe (1579-1580), fuels Spain-England rivalry, leads to war in 1588 “There is plenty of time to win this game, and to thrash the Spaniards too.”

Drake Knighted By Queen Elizabeth

II. First European Colonies in the Americas Contacts between Europeans and Native Americans initially peaceful, but forced labor and European diseases destroy native population

B. Spanish Conquests- Spain allowed conquistadors to establish outposts, went for God, gold, & glory

Cortes

“We Spaniards know a sickness of the heart that only gold can cure.” Hernando Cortes “We Spaniards know a sickness of the heart that only gold can cure.”

Aztec Empire

1. Hernando Cortes- reached Aztec Empire in central Mexico, Aztec leader Montezuma revolts, Spaniards conquer in 1521 because of guns, disease, and Quetzalcoatl (Aztec god) Montezuma

Cortes & Marina Reach Tenochtitlan

Aztec capital Tenochtitlan

Aztec Buildings

Aztec Human Sacrifice

Early Map of Mexico & US

2. Francisco Pizarro- reached Inca Empire in S 2. Francisco Pizarro- reached Inca Empire in S. America, Pizarro killed Incan leader, Spanish control by 1535

Inca Empire

Incan City

3. Spain takes huge amounts of gold/silver to become Europe’s richest and most powerful nation (1500’s)

C. Plantation System- many laborers worked in field that produced sugar, cotton, tobacco and other cash crops

Cotton Plantation

1. European nations exert control over the economy of their colonies (could only buy/sell with the “Mother” country)

Think About It.... *Why were colonies valuable? What advantage would a country with colonies have over a country without colonies?

D. The Slave Trade- Portuguese first (later the Spanish, English, French, Dutch) began to buy people from west African Kingdoms to work as slaves on plantations

Slave Trade

1. Slaves endured brutal Middle Passage to the Americas, 1/3 die along the way

E. Some colonies develop manufacturing cities, others remain agricultural and depend on slave labor

1. In the 1700’s, the Americas divided primarily between Spain, England, France

Americas in 1700 England France England Spain

2. England’s 13 colonies emerge as the most important and powerful