Europe Enters the Modern Age

Modern Age 1. Exploration – 1400 to Scientific Revolution – 1500 to Enlightenment (Age of Reason) – the 1600’s

Age of Exploration ►B►B►B►Began in 1418 lasted until ►B►B►B►Before the 1400’s, European explorers had limited knowledge of other continents. ►P►P►P►Portugal and Spain led the way. ►A►A►A►A major reason for these voyages was the desire to find sea routes to east Asia. EEEEuropeans called east Asia the Indies.

What caused the Age of Exploration to occur? 1. E uropeans of this time had several motives for exploring the world. 2. A dvances in knowledge and technology helped make voyages of discovery possible.

Motives for Exploration 1. The desire to find new trade routes to Asia. 2. Excited at the opportunity to gain more knowledge. 3. Explorers saw it as a way to earn fame, glory and wealth. 4. Explorers also craved adventure 5. Nations wanted to enlarge their borders 6. To Spread Christianity

Advances in Knowledge and Technology 1. Advances in map making or cartography Improved ship design Caravels – small, fast and easy to maneuver.Caravels – small, fast and easy to maneuver.

1. 3. New navigational tools Improved the compassImproved the compass Astrolabe- an instrument used to observe and measure the position of the sun and other heavenly bodiesAstrolabe- an instrument used to observe and measure the position of the sun and other heavenly bodies New improved weapons

Portuguese Explorers 1. Prince Henry the Navigator – was not actually an explorer. He funded exploration and started a school of navigation. 2. Bartolomeu Diaz – 1 st explorer to go around the tip of Africa. 3. Vasco da Gama – successfully sailed to India (Spice Islands) 4. Pedro Cabral – sailed southwest to avoid calms (windless areas). He ended up in modern day Brazil. He sailed on to India

Impact of Portuguese Exploration ►C►C►C►Changed Europeans’ understanding of the world in several ways EEEExplored the coast of Africa FFFFound a sea route to India ►T►T►T►Took control of Eastern sea routes ►B►B►B►Broke the hold of Muslims and Italians on Asian route PPPPrices of Asian goods like spices and fabrics dropped. More people could afford to buy them. ►C►C►C►Colonized Brazil NNNNative Brazilians suffered greatly – tried to convert them to Christianity and forced into slavery on sugar plantations ►C►C►C►Colonization also had impact on Africa TTTThe slave trade began

Early Spanish Explorers 1. C olumbus – wanted to find a western route to the Spice Islands. He found what is now the Caribbean Islands. 2. F erdinand Magellan – He believed that Columbus found a landmass in between Europe and Asia. He was the first to circumnavigate the globe.

Positive Impact of Early Spanish Exploration ► Revealed the existence of the Americas. ► Opened up a westward route to the Indies ► Proved it was possible to sail around the world. ► Columbus had found the New World.

Negative Impact of Early Spanish Exploration ► For the native people of the West Indies, Spanish settlement was devastating. 1.Forced by priests to become Christians. 2.Forced to work as slaves in mines & on plantations. ► When the Spanish arrived, 1 to 2 million natives lived on the island. Within 50 years, only 500 were left. ► Spain brought millions of enslaved Africans to work in American colonies.

Later Spanish Explorers ► Hernan Cortes – conquered the Aztecs of modern day Mexico. ► Francisco Pizarro – conquered the Incas of Peru.

Impact of Later Spanish Exploration Positives 1. Expanded foreign trade and colonization. 2. Wealth from the Americas made Spain rich and powerful. 3. Brought corn and potatoes from the New World. 4. Spain introduced new animals to the Americas (horses, cattle, sheep, pigs) Negatives 1. Destroyed two ancient civilizations (Aztecs & Incas). ► In 1519, there were about 25 million natives. By 1605, this number dwindled to 1 million natives.

European (English, French, & Dutch) Exploration of North America Key Explorers 1. John Cabot – Italian sailed for England. Found Canada. 2. Verrazano – Italian sailed for France. Explored the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Canada. 3. Henry Hudson – English explorer. Sailed first for the Netherlands and then for England. Explored & founded what is now the Hudson Bay Impact of England, France, & Dutch Exploration 1. Interest grew in trading with Native Americans. 2. Contributed to a war between England & Spain. 3. Started a shift in power. Spanish power declined.

Impact of European Exploration ► More goods, raw materials, and precious metals entered Europe. ► Exploration and trade contributed to the growth of capitalism and a market economy. ► A new economic policy called Mercantilism evolved.