European Exploration Causes

Reasons for the Age of Exploration Gold –The desire for wealth was the main reason for European exploration Wars fought were very expensive, so they needed to find lots of gold, silver, and jewels to pay for them. They thought Asia would have lots of it, so they wanted to find it and bring it back

Reasons for the Age of Exploration God –Desire to spread Christianity –Believed duty was to continue to fight Muslims (bitterness left over from the Crusades) and seek to convert non-Christians “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

Reasons for the Age of Exploration Glory –Wanted to bring fame to themselves and their country –Expand Knowledge They did not know much; most had never been outside Europe. They thought there was only one ocean. Many thought the world was flat; the educated knew the world was round, but they did not know how big it was.

Reasons for the Age of Exploration Find a Sea Route to Asia –Merchants & traders hoped to profit from the trade of spices & other luxury goods from Asia Silk road trade routes were dangerous Sea was dangerous due to storms and pirates, so spices were very expensive –Became more expensive due to Turkish Empire cutting off trade routes. Could not defeat Turks in battle, so needed to find a way around the Turkish Empire Find a direct sea route to Asia

Advances in Technology Cartographers –Map-makers –Began to create maps that were more accurate

Advances in Technology Improved magnetic compass

Advances in Technology Improved ships –Caravel Ships with three masts, more sails, more cargo It was able to sail against the wind