“Age of Exploration” Why Europe?

I. Why not China? China had been sailing the Indian Ocean and China sea since 1st century BCE Chinese had armed junks with multiple masts and sails since the 2nd century CE

Why not China? Chinese junks had watertight compartments in the ship’s hull by the 2nd century CE China had axial rudder since 1st century CE

Why not China? China invented the magnetic compass in the 12th century CE Chinese were more advanced with astronomy and celestial navigation

Voyages of Zheng He (1405-33 CE) During the reign of Yung Lo, several naval expeditions were sent to India, Persia, and Africa. Voyages of Zheng He (1405-33 CE)

Voyages of Zheng He (1405-33 CE) These voyages were under the leadership of Zheng He. Each expedition included hundreds of ships and thousands of sailors. Some ships were over 440 ft. long and carried 1,000 men.

Voyages of Zheng He (1405-33 CE) In contrast, Columbus’ fleet only had three ships, the largest only 115 ft. long and carried 40 men.

Voyages of Zheng He (1405-33 CE) After 1433, the Chinese government launched no further expeditions. In 1436, the emperor forbade building ships for overseas voyages. While Spain and Portugal explored and claimed new lands, China withdrew from sea voyage.

Reasons China did not explore the world 1. The Chinese government had an inadequate system of collecting taxes. Spending exceeded revenue. 2. Chinese believed that their civilization was superior to all others, so foreign goods were inferior, and there was little to learn from foreigners.

Reasons China did not explore the world 3. Neo-Confucian scholars held many important government posts. Their philosophy suppressed the desire for worldly things. So trade was held in contempt. 4. In the mid-1400s, Mongols began frequently attacking China’s northern border.

Arabs dominated Mediterranean and Indian Ocean since 9CE II. Why Not Arabs? Arabs dominated Mediterranean and Indian Ocean since 9CE Arab dhow

Why Not Arabs? Arab ships weren’t as big as the Chinese, but they dominated spice islands of Malaysia, gold-rich Africa, and cotton/silk-producing Asia!

Indian Ocean Trade Arab merchants were ordained by the Prophet. “I commend the merchants to you, for they are the courtiers of the horizons and God’s trusted servants on earth.” ~Mohammed

Why Not Arabs? Arabs had developed sophisticated methods of determining latitude

Astrolabe & Quadrant When a sailor loses sight of land, he must have a method of determining his direction. Determining latitude could be done by using the astrolabe (a simple wooden or brass stick with degrees marked around its edge), or by using the quadrant, (a quarter circle measuring 0 to 90 degrees marked around its curved edge).

quadrants and astrolabes

Ibn Battuta (14th century) Arabs traveled for discovery. Ibn Battuta, an Islamic historian traveled over 75,000 miles, making him one of most traveled men of his age. He visited India, China, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and the African interior as far south as the Niger River.

Ibn Battuta (14th century) Because he was only a passenger aboard ships he was never an explorer in the true sense, but this did not make his achievements any less important

III. European Incentive The Crusades brought knowledge and goods from Asia and the Islamic world.

European Incentive The Mongol Empire had fostered trade between east and west; but it’s collapse disrupted this trade.

European Incentive Asian spices improved European food. But spice had to be bought from Arab merchants became wealthy at the expense of Europe.

Trade disadvantage of Europe Lack of trade items; other than gold and silver, Europe had nothing that the east wanted. This led to a drain of wealth in Europe.

Trade disadvantage of Europe 2. Geography; Europe was isolated from Asia. They were forced to Relay on Arab merchants that acted as the middle men in this trade network.

Trade disadvantage of Europe 3. Lack of technology; Europe did not have the technology to conquer of bypass the Arab world.

European technological changes of the 15th century Better ships; Europeans developed deep-draft ships capable of carrying heavy loads on the Atlantic Ocean.

European technological changes of the 15th century 2. Magnetic compass; Europe adopted the compass from the Arabs who themselves got it from the Chinese.

European technological changes of the 15th century Mapmaking; Mapmaking enhanced by humanism from the Renaissance became more accurate.

European technological changes of the 15th century 4. Gunpowder; Europe adopted the knowledge of gunpowder from the Chinese.

European technological changes of the 15th century 5. Metalwork; European advancements in metalworking allowed blacksmiths to create the first guns and cannons.

IV. Portuguese Exploration The man chiefly responsible for Portugal's age of exploration Prince Henry “The Navigator.” He established a naval observatory for the teaching of navigation, astronomy, and cartography.

Portuguese Exploration From 1419 until his death in [1460], Prince Henry sent expeditions down the west coast of Africa to outflank the Muslim hold on Asian trade routes. Why Portugal: land is lined by Atlantic Ocean and Spain. Spain, Genoese, Venetians monopolize trade; Portugal has no access to the Mediterranean; forced to go South.

Portuguese Exploration It wasn't until 27 years after Henry's death that Bartolomeu Dias ship rounded the Cape of Good Hope in [1487].

Portuguese Exploration Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1497 and continue sailing along the eastern coast of African. He located a route to India, but had to contend with Arab strongholds.

Portuguese Exploration In 1502, he returned with 14 heavily armed ships and defeat the Arab fleet. By 1511, the Portuguese controlled the Spice routes. In 1513, Portuguese trade extended to China and Japan.

V. Spanish Exploration Portuguese success inspires Columbus to sail west to reach the Indies Financed by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who wanted to increase Spanish power. They had recently defeated the Muslims (Moors) in Spain, and need wealth to maintain control. They were also eager to Christianize the East. 69 days across the Atlantic, lands in the Bahamas, later finds Hispanola  swears to his dying day that this is part of the east Indies; there is NO New Continent. 1502 Amerigo Vespuci (sailing for the Portuguese) hits land on what is now Brazil proving there is a new continent; first to assert that it is a new land.

Spanish Exploration Columbus reaches the Caribbean which he believes to be the East Indies

For Gold For God For Glory                                     Spanish Crown

Line of Demarcation Since there were two catholic countries vying for territory in the new world. The Pope draws a line down the world  Spain has rights to the land west of the line; Portugal has rights to the land east of the line. Known as the Treaty of Tordesillas, it divides the world between Spain and Portugal. Alexander IV – 1493, divides Atlantic Ocean in half.

The End! 1494 – New line draw to make land divide “more fair”