Europe Explores the Globe Age of Exploration Notes
I.) Origins of overseas exploration A.Reasons for voyages beginning in 1400’s: 1. economic 2. religious reasons 3. spirit of adventure
A.Portugal takes the lead and heads east! 1. Henry the Navigator explores west coast of Africa - discovers new source for gold 2. Bartholomeu Dias rounds Cape of Good Hope (Africa) 3. Vasco da Gama rounds Cape of Good Hope and cuts across to India (spices) II.) The Explorers
B. Spain takes a route west! 1. Christopher Columbus - travels west to find sea route to Asia discovers Hispaniola and Cuba 2. Ferdinand Magellan sets sail to find passage through America passes through “Strait of Magellan” - first person to circumnavigate the globe
C. Treaty of Tordesillas: signed 1494; line in Atlantic giving Spain trade rights to route to Americas & trade rights to Africa 1. Amerigo Vespucci (Portugal & Spain) - crossed Atlantic several times between argued land was not Asia, called it “New World” - mapmakers begin calling land “America”
D. Britain begins to build an empire! ’s = busy with problems at home ’s = begin to explore and colonize E.Queen Elizabeth I 1. wants to expand Britain’s power overseas 2. grants a charter to the British East India Company - set up trading posts, expand influence, defend interests
F. John Cabot ( ) 1. explores Americas (New England coast) for England G. Sea Dogs: English sea captains/pirates/traders who sail Atlantic challenging Spain & Portugal for sea trade Examples: Sir Francis Drake Sir Walter Raleigh Sir John Hawkins H. Henry Hudson 1. explores Americas for NW Passage & discovers Hudson Bay & River I.British Settlements in America 1. Jamestown (1607) 2. Plymouth (1620)