The Age of European Exploration Part 1. Portugal Takes the Lead Mr. Hardy Randolph IB Middle School

What lead to European Exploration it the 15 th Century? The Renaissance – It set the stage for European exploration. It is impossible to separate the two. European exploration grew out of the Renaissance spirit of adventure, curiosity, learning, and admiration of human achievement.

What lead to European Exploration it the 15 th Century? Economics – The most important reason was the desire for wealth. Europeans traders were getting wealthy on trade with Asia. The trade of luxury goods like spices, silk, gems, was controlled by Muslim traders who sold to Italians. The Italians then sold to other Europeans at very high prices. The other European countries resented the Italian monopoly and looked for an all water route to Asia to bypass the overland routes controlled by the Italians and Muslims.

What lead to European Exploration it the 15 th Century? The Desire to Spread Christianity – Europeans wanted to continue to fight the spread of Islam, and bring Christianity to non-Christians in Asia Claim New Lands – European powers wanted to start settlements and trading posts.

Portugal’s Location Why did Portugal Take the Lead?

Geography Determines Destiny Portugal’s location on the western most tip of the Iberian Peninsula, had a major impact on its history. Its larger, more powerful neighbor, Spain bordered it on the North and East, cutting off the overland routes to the rest of Europe To the South was Africa and to theWest was a vast stretch of unknown ocean. With that laying in front of them, it was inevitable that the Portuguese would go to sea.

Coast of Portugal

Prince Henry the Navigator

Strong Government Support Prince Henry the Navigator, son of the King of Portugal. Became interested in overseas exploration during a war in North Africa, where he saw great wealth and riches from Asia. He was determined to find a water route to Asia and get riches and spread Christianity. Founded a navigation school in It had the best mapmakers, instrument makers, ship builders, scientists, and sea captains in Europe. Why did Portugal Take the Lead?

Location of the Navigation School

Portuguese Use of Technology 1.Caravels – new ship design of the 1400’s were sturdier than previous ships. They were about 65 feet long. 2. Lateen sails – These triangular sails adapted from Arab boats, made it possible to sail against the wind. 3. Astrolabe – Another Arabic invention, allowed navigators to determine their Latitude north or south of the equator by taking a sighting off a star. (Calculating longitude was still a problem due to the need to accurately calculate time.) 4. Magnetic Compass – Invented by the Chinese about 220 B.C., it had just been recently adopted in Europe As a navigational device. Why did Portugal Take the Lead?

The Caravel

An English Caravel

A Brazilian Caravel The Espirito Santo

A Portuguese Caravel The Boa Esperanca

An Astrolabe

A Simple Astrolabe

Using an Astrolabe

Amerigo Vespucci using an Astrolabe

Caravels with an Astrolabe

Portuguese are the First to Reach the East Portuguese sailors begin to sail down the west coast of Africa Vasco da Gama – rounded Africa and reached India. He returned with a cargo valued at 60 times the cost of his voyage!

Vasco Da Gama

Classroom Activity Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco Da Gama Read the historical document, “Round Africa to India” and answer the following questions. 1.Is this a primary or secondary source? 2.When and where did Da Gama explore? 3.What did Da Gama say was the purpose of his voyage? 4.Do you think Christianity was important to Da Gama? Provide evidence from the passage to support your answer.

Part 2. The Voyages of Columbus Make Spain the Most Powerful Nation Mr. Hardy Randolph IB Middle School Mr. Hardy Randolph IB Middle School The Age of European Exploration

The Spanish Expeditions 1492 – Christopher Columbus – Italian sailing for Spain, Columbus was convinced the world was round and he could reach the East Indies by sailing west. Landed in present day Bahamas, which he thought were unknown islands of the East Indies. Claimed the land he discovered for Spain. Made three subsequent voyages between 1492 and 1503 which resulted in Spanish claims of land in Caribbean and Central America. Opened up New World for Settlement – Many explorers and colonists followed.

Christopher Columbus

The Nina, Pinta, & Santa Maria

The New World and European Colonies

The Columbian Exchange The exploration and colonization of the New World that took place after 1492, resulted in the co-mingling of many species of plants, animals, bacteria, and diseases. This co-mingling is called the Columbian Exchange.

The Columbian Exchange Old World that Traveled West Crops: wheat, barley, oats,rice, grapes, sugar cane, bananas, olives, peaches, pears, coffee beans, citrus fruits, Animals: horses, cattle, sheep, goats, black rat Diseases: malaria, small pox, influenza, chicken pox, measles, yellow fever. New World that Traveled East Crops: corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, manioc, pumpkins, tobacco, avocados, peppers, peanuts, tomatoes, beans, vanilla, pineapple, squash, cacao bean. Animal: turkey Diseases: polio, hepatitis, encephalitus

The Columbian Exchange

Because the Native Americans had been so isolated, their immune systems had not developed protections against Old World diseases. Of these, smallpox was probably the biggest killer. Tens of thousands were wiped out.

Make Your Explorer Trading Cards! For this activity you are going to make a trading card which will include information about Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco Da Gama, and Christopher Columbus. 1) On the front side of your card, you will draw the explorer’s picture, print their name, and the date of their most important voyage or contribution 2) On the back side of your card, you will list the area they explored, country that sponsored their voyage, and the goal of their exploration. (Claim new land, trade routes, gain wealth, spread religion, etc. 3) Write a short explanation of the goal on the back. 4) You will make one card per person. 5) Neatness, creativity and color count. Illustrate it as you see fit. You will be graded on it. 6) The finished product will be part of your study guide. 7) Your trading cards should be completed by the end of the class.