Unit 15: Age of Exploration

Motivations: Why did Europeans want to explore? From the 1400s to the 1700s, Europe experienced an “Age of Exploration” The Crusaders brought goods and ideas back from Middle East  Europeans wanted new products.  After Black Death and European recovery, its population grew, demand for these goods increased Most valuable goods were pepper, cloves, cinnamon, found in Indonesia (Spice Islands) Motivations: Why did Europeans want to explore? The Renaissance encouraged curiosity & a desire for trade A period beginning in the early 1400s and ending in the late 1700s in which European explorers and merchants discovered areas of the world yet unseen by Western Europe. These expeditions led to the discovery of new lands, new markets, and new technology By the early 1400s, Europeans were ready to venture beyond their borders. As Chapter 17 explained, the Renaissance encouraged, among other things, a new spirit of adventure and curiosity. This spirit of adventure, along with several other important reasons, prompted Europeans to explore the world around them. This chapter and the next one describe how these explorations began a long process that would bring together the peoples of many different lands and permanently change the world. For “God, Glory, and Gold” Europeans had not been completely isolated from the rest of the world before the 1400s. Beginning around 1100, European crusaders battled Muslims for control of the Holy Lands in Southwest Asia. In 1275, the Italian trader Marco Polo reached the court of Kublai Khan in China. For the most part, however, Europeans had neither the interest nor the ability to explore foreign lands. That changed by the early 1400s. The desire to grow rich and to spread Christianity, coupled with advances in sailing technology, spurred an age of European exploration. As a result of exploration, European nations grew powerful & spread their influence throughout the world

Gold (Money) Merchants began looking for quick, direct trade routes to Asia to avoid Muslim & Italian merchants & increase profits A desire for new sources of wealth was the main reason for European exploration The desire for new sources of wealth was the main reason for European exploration. Through overseas exploration, merchants and traders hoped ultimately to benefit from what had become a profitable business in Europe: the trade of spices and other luxury goods from Asia. The people of Europe had been introduced to these items during the Crusades, the wars fought between Christians and Muslims from 1096 to 1270 (see Chapter 14). After the Crusades ended, Europeans continued to demand such spices as nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper, all of which added flavor to the bland foods of Europe. Because demand for these goods was greater than the supply, merchants could charge high prices and thus make great profits. The Muslims and the Italians controlled the trade of goods from East to West. Muslims sold Asian goods to Italian merchants, who controlled trade across the land routes of the Mediterranean region. The Italian merchants resold the items at increased prices to merchants throughout Europe. Other European traders did not like this arrangement. Paying such high prices to the Italians severely cut into their own profits. By the 1400s, European merchants—as well as the new monarchs of England, Spain, Portugal, and France—sought to bypass the Italian merchants. This meant finding a sea route directly to Asia. The Crusades & Renaissance stimulated European desires for exotic Asian luxury goods

The Renaissance inspired new possibilities for power & prestige Glory Kings who sponsored voyages of exploration gained overseas colonies, new sources of wealth for their nation, & increased power The Renaissance inspired new possibilities for power & prestige Renaissance inspired new possibilities (no one explored during the Middle Ages) Exploration led to fame for the explorers & sponsor country (found new places & gained more lands) Demand for new land & glory led to competition between countries Exploration presented Europeans the opportunity to rise from poverty and gain fame, fortune, & status

God European Christians, especially Catholics, wanted to stop the spread of Islam & convert non-Christians to the faith During the Middle Ages & the Renaissance, Europe was very religious Christians wanted to stop the spread of Islam & also convert “natives” they discovered to Christianity; explorers were encouraged to spread Christianity or bring missionaries who would focus only on conversions Explorers were encouraged to spread Christianity or bring missionaries who would focus only on conversions

Means: How were explorers able to sail so far & make it back again? The Age of Exploration Means: How were explorers able to sail so far & make it back again? Before the Renaissance, sailors did not have the technology to sail very far from Europe & return

Magnetic compass made sailing more accurate (Invented by Chinese) Navigation Trade & cultural diffusion during the Renaissance introduced new navigation techniques to Europeans Magnetic compass made sailing more accurate (Invented by Chinese) Astrolabe used stars to show direction (Invented by the Greeks; perfected by the Muslims Cartography – Maps were more accurate and used longitude & latitude – Mercator Projection

A moveable rudder made the caravel more maneuverable European shipbuilders built a better ship; The caravel was a strong ship that could travel in the open seas & in shallow water Caravels had triangular lateen sails that allowed ships to sail against the wind While “God, glory, and gold” were the primary motives for exploration, advances in technology made the voyages of discovery possible. During the 1200s, it would have been nearly impossible for a European sea captain to cross 3,000 miles of ocean and return again. The main problem was that European ships could not sail against the wind. In the 1400s, shipbuilders designed a new vessel, the caravel. The caravel was sturdier than earlier vessels. In addition, triangular sails adopted from the Arabs allowed it to sail effectively against the wind. Europeans also improved their navigational techniques. To better determine their location at sea, sailors used the astrolabe, which the Muslims had perfected. The astrolabe was a brass circle with carefully adjusted rings marked off in degrees. Using the rings to sight the stars, a sea captain could calculate latitude, or how far north or south of the equator the ship was. Explorers were also able to more accurately track direction by using a magnetic compass, a Chinese invention. A moveable rudder made the caravel more maneuverable Cannons & rifles gave ships protection

The Age of Exploration Who were the explorers, where did they go, & how did they change world history?

Europeans were not the first to explore the oceans in search of new trade routes Islamic merchants were the 1st to extensively sail in the Indian Ocean (the Spice Trade) Chinese Admiral Zheng He & the Ming “Treasure Fleet” sailed to Africa (& maybe further) But in the late 1400s, there is a new player: European explorers Islamic merchants explored the Indian Ocean & had dominated the Asian spice trade for centuries before European exploration

Early Exploration From 1405 to 1433, Zheng He led the Chinese treasure fleet on 7 expeditions to SE Asia, India, & Africa during the Ming Dynasty

But in the late 1400s, the European sailors did what neither Muslim nor Chinese explorers could: Begin global (not regional) exploration & create colonies to increase their wealth & power

Portugal was the early leader in the Age of Exploration In Portugal, Prince Henry the Navigator started a school of navigation to train sailors Portugal was the early leader in the Age of Exploration He brought in Europe’s best map-makers, ship-builders, & sailing instructors He wanted to discover new territories, find a quick trade route to Asia, & expand Portugal’s power. Sponsored ships to sail down coast of Africa and onto India “To serve God and His Majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich as all men desire to do.” – Bartolomeu Dias sailed to tip of Africa – Cape of Good Hope

Portugal gained a sea route to Asia that brought them great wealth Prince Henry’s navigation school & willingness to fund voyages led the Portuguese to be the 1st to explore the west coast of Africa Vasco da Gama was the 1st explorer to find a direct trade route to Asia by going around Africa to get to India (port of Calicut) Portugal gained a sea route to Asia that brought them great wealth

During the Age of Exploration, Portugal created colonies along the African coast, in Brazil, & the Spice Islands in Asia

The Spanish government saw Portugal’s wealth & did not want to be left out More than any other European monarch, Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain sponsored & supported overseas expeditions

He made 4 trips to “India” never knowing he was in “America” Like most educated men of the Renaissance, Italian, Christopher Columbus believed the world was round & thought he could reach Asia by sailing west Columbus’ ships, the Nina, Pinta, & Santa Maria, reached the Bahamas in America but thought that he had reached islands off the coast of India He made 4 trips to “India” never knowing he was in “America”

Magellan became the first explorer to circumnavigate the Earth (go all the way around) Despite the fact that Columbus never found Asia, Ferdinand Magellan still thought he could reach Asia by sailing West

During the Age of Exploration, Spain created colonies in North & South America

Cortez conquered the Aztecs Spain sent explorers called conquistadors to the New World to find gold, claim land, & spread Christianity Cortez conquered the Aztecs Pizarro conquered the Inca The influx of gold from America made Spain the most powerful country in Europe during the early years of the Age of Exploration Spain sent explorers to the New World to find gold, claim land, & spread Christianity Cortez conquered Mexico & destroyed the Aztec civilization Pizarro conquered Peru & destroyed the Incan civilization

Line of Demarcation Pope Alexander VI suggested establishing an imaginary dividing line drawn north to south through the Atlantic Ocean to keep peace. Treaty of Tordesillas established the line.

Additional Explorers Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal New World named America after Amerigo Vespucci 1513 – Balboa (sailing for Spain) discovers the Pacific Ocean

England, France, & the Netherlands became involved in overseas exploration & colonization as well

After failing to do so, Champlain founded the French colony of Quebec The French explorer Samuel de Champlain searched Canada for a northwest passage to Asia The French would soon carve out a large colony along the Mississippi River from Canada to New Orleans

Unlike other European nations whose kings paid for colonies, the English colonies were paid for by citizens who formed joint-stock companies English colonies formed along the Atlantic Coast of North America by colonists motivated either by religion or wealth

The English explorer James Cook was the first European to make contact with Australia, New Zealand, & Hawaii

English Settlements 1st – Jamestown in 1607 Tobacco – cash crop 2nd – Plymouth Colony in 1620 Pilgrims sought religious freedom 3rd – Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628 Puritans sought religious freedom and wanted to establish model community for other Christians to follow.

Like England, the Netherlands (the Dutch) allowed private companies to fund exploration The Dutch had colonies in America & Africa, but the Dutch East India Company dominated trade in Asia

Conclusions As a result of the Age of Exploration, European knowledge & influence of the world increased greatly

The Impact of the Age of Exploration Group presentation directions: Each student group will be assigned one of nine major effects of European exploration Read the placard information and complete three tasks as a group: Create a summary for the placard that completes this sentence “The Age of Exploration impacted ___ because…” Create a symbol for your summary Pick a group member to present

1. Asian Trade Led by Prince Henry, “the Navigator”, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore the west coast of Africa, to sail around the southern tip of Africa and finally, the first to reach India. The Portuguese seized trading ports in India and in the Spice Islands. They fought the Muslim merchants who had control of the ports. The prices of Asian goods like spices and fabrics dropped, and more people in Europe could afford to buy them. Not only did Portuguese sailors bring back spices and goods from the Indian Ocean (cinnamon, pepper, porcelain, jewels and silk) but they also brought slavery to their colony of Brazil.

2. Nationalism The explorations and conquests of the conquistadors transformed Spain. The Spanish rapidly expanded foreign trade and overseas colonization. For a time, wealth from the Americas made Spain one of the world’s richest and most powerful nations. At the height of Spain’s power it was ruled by Philip II. In the long run, gold and silver from the Americas hurt Spain’s economy. Inflation, or an increase in the supply of money compared to goods, led to higher prices. Monarchs and the wealthy spent their riches wastefully instead of building up Spain’s industries.

3. Capitalism The voyages of explorers had a dramatic impact on European trade. As a result, more goods, raw materials and precious metals entered Europe. New trade centers developed, especially in the Netherlands and England. Exploration and trade led to the growth of capitalism. This system is based on investing money for profit. Merchants gained great wealth by trading and selling goods from around the world. They then could use their profits to finance other voyages and to start trading companies. Other people began investing money in these companies and shared in the profits as well.

4. Mercantilism European nations developed a new economic policy called mercantilism. Kings believed that wealth was the best way to build their countries’ power. They tried to reduce the things that bought from other countries and increase items sold. Having colonies was a key part of this policy. Nations expected colonies to supply raw materials for their industries. They could also make more money by selling finished goods to their colonies. As a result, a “triangular trade” developed: manufactured goods were made in the mother country, raw materials were produced in the colonies, and slaves from Africa were brought to the colonies to produce raw materials.

5. Columbian Exchange Early Spanish explorations were important because it led to knowledge of the existence of the Americas and the creation of colonies in the “New World”. The Spanish gained great wealth, and crops began to be exchanged with the “Old World” of Europe. The introduction of Europeans plants, animals, and diseases in America and the introduction of American crops into Europe became know as the Columbian Exchange This diffusion of “Old World” and “New World” products changed world history.

6. Colonies and Plantations During the 1500s, Portugal began to establish colonies in Brazil which greatly impacted the native people. The Portuguese tried to get them to give up their religion and convert to Christianity. They also forced them to work on sugar plantations. Missionaries sometimes tried to protect them from abuse, but countless numbers died from overwork and European diseases. The colonization of Brazil also had an impact on Africa. As the native population decreased, the Portuguese needed more laborers. Starting in the mid 1500s, for over 300 years, they brought millions of enslaved West Africans to Brazil.

7. Disease To explore and conquer “New Spain,” the Spanish turned to men called conquistadors (conquerors). The conquistadors were allowed to establish settlements and seize the wealth of natives. This led to conquering of the Aztecs by Cortes and the Inca by Pizarro. When conquistadors arrived they brought with them their horses, armor and guns, which helped them in battle. But more deadly for the natives were the deadly epidemic diseases that the Europeans carried. Millions of natives died from diseases. For example in Mexico, there were about 25 million native people in 1519. By 1605, this number had dwindled to 1 million.

8. Slavery When native populations were wiped out because of overwork and disease, both the Spanish and Portuguese began to import slaves from the west coast of Africa. Over the next 300 years millions of slaves would be taken across the Atlantic Ocean. The journey across the Atlantic was grueling and deadly. The Middle Passage is the name given to the journey of African slaves to the Americas. Once slaves arrived in the New World they were forced to work in harsh conditions on plantations growing sugar and indigo and work in gold and silver mines.

9. Christianity One of the impacts of exploration on the Americas was the introduction of Christianity. The Spanish conquistadors were accompanied by Catholic missionaries looking to spread Catholicism. Some natives were forced to convert by the Spanish that were looking to win converts as a way to fight against the Protestant Reformation. The fierce competition of European nations during the time period was not limited to wealth and power, but included religion as well.

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Essential Question: What were the global impacts of the European Age of Exploration? Warm-Up Question: What was the Columbian Exchange? What is mercantilism? What is capitalism?

The Impact of the Age of Exploration: Europe

Europe was greatly impacted by the Age of Exploration This was especially true in Spain where the influx of gold turned Spain into one of the wealthiest & most powerful nations in Europe Overseas colonies increased the wealth of European nations, the power of kings (called nationalism) The explorations and conquests of the conquistadors transformed Spain. The Spanish rapidly expanded foreign trade and overseas colonization. For a time, wealth from the Americas made Spain one of the world’s richest and most powerful nations. At the height of Spain’s power it was ruled by Philip II. In the long run, gold and silver from the Americas hurt Spain’s economy. Inflation, or an increase in the supply of money compared to goods, led to higher prices. Monarchs and the wealthy spent their riches wastefully instead of building up Spain’s industries. King Philip II

Commercial Revolution- quick change in business practices and in trade with European nations. The increase in trade led to the growth of capitalism, especially in England & the Netherlands Capitalism is a system in which merchants trade & invest money in order to make a profit; Prices are determined by supply and demand Citizens can invest money in companies like the British East India Company & share in the profits

Nations developed an economic policy called mercantilism based upon the idea that national power comes from a favorable balance of trade Mercantilism As a result, colonies are needed to supply the mother country with cheap raw materials and to help mother country accumulate gold and silver. Over time, inflation occurs – increase in money supply value of money declines  prices of goods increase

Due to mercantilism, a “triangular trade” developed between Europe, their overseas colonies, & Africa

The Impact of the Age of Exploration: Asia, America, Africa

Asia was greatly impacted by the Age of Exploration The Portuguese & Dutch seized trade ports in the Spice Islands & in India in order to gain exotic goods like cotton & spices European merchants began to dominate trade in China & Japan & converted many people to Christianity

Catholic missionaries introduced Christianity to the American Indians The Columbian Exchange The global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas is known as the Columbian Exchange. Ships from the Americas brought back a wide array of items that Europeans, Asians, and Africans had never before seen. They included such plants as tomatoes, squash, pineapples, tobacco, and cacao beans (for chocolate). And they included animals such as the turkey, which became a source of food in the Eastern Hemisphere. Perhaps the most important items to travel from the Americas to the rest of the world were corn and potatoes. Both were inexpensive to grow and nutritious. Potatoes, especially, supplied many essential vitamins and minerals. Over time, both crops became an important and steady part of diets throughout the world. These foods helped people live longer. Thus they played a significant role in boosting the world’s population. The planting of the first white potato in Ireland and the first sweet potato in China probably changed more lives than the deeds of 100 kings. Traffic across the Atlantic did not flow in just one direction, however. Europeans introduced various livestock animals into the Americas. These included horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Foods from Africa (including some that originated in Asia) migrated west in European ships. They included bananas, black-eyed peas, and yams. Grains introduced to the Americas included wheat, rice, barley, and oats. Some aspects of the Columbian Exchange had a tragic impact on many Native Americans. Disease was just as much a part of the Columbian Exchange as goods and food. The diseases Europeans brought with them, which included smallpox and measles, led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans. Catholic missionaries introduced Christianity to the American Indians America was greatly impacted by the Age of Exploration

The introduction of new foods, plants, & animals between America & Europe was called the Columbian Exchange The Columbian Exchange The global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas is known as the Columbian Exchange. Ships from the Americas brought back a wide array of items that Europeans, Asians, and Africans had never before seen. They included such plants as tomatoes, squash, pineapples, tobacco, and cacao beans (for chocolate). And they included animals such as the turkey, which became a source of food in the Eastern Hemisphere. Perhaps the most important items to travel from the Americas to the rest of the world were corn and potatoes. Both were inexpensive to grow and nutritious. Potatoes, especially, supplied many essential vitamins and minerals. Over time, both crops became an important and steady part of diets throughout the world. These foods helped people live longer. Thus they played a significant role in boosting the world’s population. The planting of the first white potato in Ireland and the first sweet potato in China probably changed more lives than the deeds of 100 kings. Traffic across the Atlantic did not flow in just one direction, however. Europeans introduced various livestock animals into the Americas. These included horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Foods from Africa (including some that originated in Asia) migrated west in European ships. They included bananas, black-eyed peas, and yams. Grains introduced to the Americas included wheat, rice, barley, and oats. Some aspects of the Columbian Exchange had a tragic impact on many Native Americans. Disease was just as much a part of the Columbian Exchange as goods and food. The diseases Europeans brought with them, which included smallpox and measles, led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans.

The introduction of potatoes & corn helped improve the diets & life expectancy of people throughout the world The introduction of European grains, horses, & cattle transformed many Indian cultures The introduction of European diseases like smallpox, measles, & influenza killed as many as 90% of Native Americas Traffic across the Atlantic did not flow in just one direction, however. Europeans introduced various livestock animals into the Americas. These included horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Foods from Africa (including some that originated in Asia) migrated west in European ships. They included bananas, black-eyed peas, and yams. Grains introduced to the Americas included wheat, rice, barley, and oats. Some aspects of the Columbian Exchange had a tragic impact on many Native Americans. Disease was just as much a part of the Columbian Exchange as goods and food. The diseases Europeans brought with them, which included smallpox and measles, led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans.

Europeans introduced the plantation system in America; These large cash crop farms were called encomiendas The Columbian Exchange The global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas is known as the Columbian Exchange. Ships from the Americas brought back a wide array of items that Europeans, Asians, and Africans had never before seen. They included such plants as tomatoes, squash, pineapples, tobacco, and cacao beans (for chocolate). And they included animals such as the turkey, which became a source of food in the Eastern Hemisphere. Perhaps the most important items to travel from the Americas to the rest of the world were corn and potatoes. Both were inexpensive to grow and nutritious. Potatoes, especially, supplied many essential vitamins and minerals. Over time, both crops became an important and steady part of diets throughout the world. These foods helped people live longer. Thus they played a significant role in boosting the world’s population. The planting of the first white potato in Ireland and the first sweet potato in China probably changed more lives than the deeds of 100 kings. Traffic across the Atlantic did not flow in just one direction, however. Europeans introduced various livestock animals into the Americas. These included horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Foods from Africa (including some that originated in Asia) migrated west in European ships. They included bananas, black-eyed peas, and yams. Grains introduced to the Americas included wheat, rice, barley, and oats. Some aspects of the Columbian Exchange had a tragic impact on many Native Americans. Disease was just as much a part of the Columbian Exchange as goods and food. The diseases Europeans brought with them, which included smallpox and measles, led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans. Encomiendas required a large supply of workers which increased the need for slaves

(Encomienda System – system of forced labor of Native Americans)

Africa was greatly impacted by the Age of Exploration The demand for workers on American plantations, especially in the Caribbean & Brazil, led Bartolome de Las Casas, a Spanish priest to suggest replacing indigenous Americans with harder working and better equipped Africans. Thus the African slave trade was established. Africa was greatly impacted by the Age of Exploration

The majority of African slaves worked in harsh conditions on sugar & indigo plantations or in gold & silver mines For 300 years, slaves were sold in West Africa & brought to America along a route across the Atlantic Ocean known as the Middle Passage

The “Coffin” Position Used Below Desk African Captives Being Thrown Overboard Slave auction upon arrival in America Sugar plantation in Haiti