Sec 1 – Europeans Explore the East

Exploration & Expansion Reasons for exploration: Riches = new sources of wealth Spread Christianity Spurred by advances in sailing technology New Market: Spices & luxury goods from Asia Demand greater than supply = high prices = high profits Trade controlled by Italians & Muslims = high prices for Europe Look for ways to bypass these two

Expansion (cont.) The Crusades created hostility between Muslims & Christians Hope to Christianize Asia & directly obtain goods “God, glory, & gold” 1400s: Caravel invented Sturdier, triangle sails = sail against the wind Navigation Astrolabe (Muslims) – track latitude Magnetic Compass (China) – track direction

Portugal Leaders in sailing innovation Strong government support First to set-up trading posts in Africa Prince Henry (“The Navigator”) Founds a navigation school to perfect & expand exploration 1460: Henry dies, but begins European trade w/ Africa Gold, ivory, & eventually slaves Starting blocks for reaching Asian markets

To Asia Goal: To reach Asia Best route = sail around the tip of Africa 1488: Bartolomeu Dias reaches to tip of Africa Has to turn back 1497: Vasco da Gama explores east coast of Africa 1498: reaches the Indian port of Calicut Opens a lucrative trade route to Asia for Portugal

Spain Envious of Portugal’s advancements 1492: Christopher Columbus sails to find a route to Asia across the Atlantic Reaches the Caribbean & opens up colonization of the Americas Believed he had reached the East Indies Ferdinand Magellan sails around the world 1521: Claims the Philippines for Spain

Magellan’s Voyage

Spain v. Portugal Columbus’ voyage leads to tensions between Spain & Portugal Spain claiming Portuguese lands??? 1493: Pope Alexander VI negotiates a peace = Line of Demarcation West (Spain)/East (Portugal) Runs through ~middle of Brazil 1494: Treaty of Tordesillas Agree to honor the line

Treaty of Tordesillas

Portugal’s Trading Empire Da Gama’s voyage = Indian Ocean trade empire Take control of spice trade from Muslims Break the Muslim-Italian dominated Eastern trade Gain control of vital trading ports/areas 1510: capture Goa (becomes trade capital) 1511: Control the Strait of Malacca 1514: Control the Straits of Hormuz

Dutch The Netherlands: Small nation in NW Europe 1600: Largest fleet in the world (20K ships) Threaten Portuguese trade Slowing take over trade Form the Dutch East India Company = directs trade to Asia Take the Strait of Malacca from the Portuguese Gain control of Indonesia & the Cape of Good Hope (Tip of Africa)

British & French Britain fought w/ the Dutch to open eastern trade Create the English East India Company 1700: Britain & France gain a foothold British trade from India flourishes France struggles to gain much profit v. competition