15th – 17th century AKA“Age of Discovery”. The period is characterized as a time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods, and new trade routes.

Reasons for Exploration For centuries, Europeans had depended on traditional trade routes (such as the Silk Road) with the Far East. But the trade was limited and did not meet the desire of Europeans for new goods.

Reasons for Exploration Many nations were looking for goods such as silver and gold but one of the biggest reasons for exploration was the desire to find a new route for the spice and silk trades.

Reasons for Exploration As European nations such as: Portugal, Spain, France and England became more centralized states, their rulers became more powerful. Monarchs and wealthy merchants could then pay for voyages of exploration in search of new sea trade routes to the East.

Reasons for Exploration Advances in navigation and shipbuilding meant that ships could travel further and explore new areas.

Reasons for Exploration The carrack and the caravel were two new ships used in the Age of Exploration. The carrack offered room for a large crew and provisions as well as cargo for goods to be brought back home.

Reasons for Exploration The caravel was designed to take advantage of the wind and were easier to sail then the carrack.

Portugal, France, Spain and England came to lead the Age of Exploration because: Each had an Atlantic coastline, which put them in great position to explore the world to the west. The monarchs of the these countries were open to financing explorations in hopes of establishing trade routes to the Far East.

Spain: Spain was envious of Portugal’s wealth and power and decided to send its own expeditions to the Far East. Seeking a quicker route to India, Spanish explorers sailed west across the Atlantic.

Christopher Columbus The most famous explorations undertaken by Spain were the four voyages of Christopher Columbus, beginning with his first in 1492. Columbus is credited with being the first European to explore the New World (besides the Vikings 500 years earlier) and beginning the wave of European exploration and settlement that would follow.