The Age of Exploration Causes of Exploration: Renaissance encouraged a spirit of adventure & curiosity A desire to grow rich A desire to spread Christianity Technology: Caravel (strong ship that could sail effectively against the wind) Astrolabe (navigation tool that helped explorers determine their location at sea by determining latitude) Magnetic compass
caravel
astrolabe
compass
Zheng He China, 1405
Zheng He
Christopher Columbus Spain, 1492
Vasco de Gama Portugal, 1497
Ferdinand Magellan Portugal, 1519
Samuel de Champlain France, 1608
James Cook England, 1769
Consequences of the Age of Exploration The Slave Trade The Columbian Exchange The Global Economy
The Slave Trade
Slave Trade Reasons why Europeans preferred slaves over indigenous populations: Slaves were immune to diseases carried by Europeans. Slaves had experience in farming and plantation agriculture. Slaves were less likely to escape and easier to oppress because they were not familiar with the land.
Slave Exports on the Trans-Atlantic Route
The Columbian Exchange The global transfer of plants, animals, and diseases that occurred during the European colonization of the Americas
Old World or New World? Old World
Old World or New World? New World
Old World or New World? Old World
Old World or New World? New World
Old World or New World? Old World
Old World or New World? New World
Old World or New World? New World
Old World or New World? Old World
The Columbian Exchange
The Global Economy Capitalism – An economic system based on private ownership and the investment of resources (like money) for profit. Capitalism caused a shift in power from Kings to merchants. As a result, business across Europe grew and flourished.
The Global Economy Mercantilism – The theory that a country’s power depended on it’s wealth… Get as much gold and silver as possible Establish a favorable balance of trade (sell more goods than you buy) Colonization was central to the system of mercantilism, providing Europe with raw materials and markets where it could sell goods.
The Global Economy Joint Stock Companies – A number of people combine their wealth for a common purpose (investing in colonies) Joint stock companies were like modern day corporations. Investors shared in risks and profits.