Rise of European Empires in the Americas, Africa, and Asia Age of Discovery Rise of European Empires in the Americas, Africa, and Asia

Known World in 1490

Portugal Leads the Way Prince Henry the Navigator Bartholomeu Dias – Cape of Good Hope, 1488 Vasco da Gama and India, 1498 Portuguese defeated Muslims for control of the Spice Trade

Portugal’s Main Interests Africa & Asia Trade rather than colonization Exception: colonized Brazil

Who is this Man?

Spain’s Quest for Riches Ferdinand and Isabella (King and Queen of Spain) backed Columbus in his expeditions Columbus eventually made 4 voyages to the Caribbean Islands and South America was certain that he discovered a new route to Asia 1507 Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci was the first to suggest that Columbus had not reached Asia, but a “New World”

Voyage of Magellan 1519 – 5 ships led by Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan set sail under the Spanish Flag wanted to find a western route to Africa Magellan’s ships passed around the southern tip of South America in to the Pacific Ocean Strait of Magellan Magellan’s crew was the first to circumnavigate the globe proved that the world was round