Age of Exploration 1400s-1700s
Foundations of Exploration Renaissance spirit of discovery and innovation sparked European interest in voyages of discovery. Search of Wealth Northern Europeans were sick of paying high Italian prices Fame and Glory Spread Religion Curiosity
Foundations of Exploration: Technology Compass and Astrolabe from China and the Middle East Deep-draft ships Caravel Lateen Sails
Portugal and Spain: Geographically lucky?
Explorers: Portugal Henry the Navigator Bartolomeu Dias Vasco da Gama Goal to find water route around Africa to Asia Bartolomeu Dias First European to attempt to sail around Africa Vasco da Gama First European to sail around Africa to India Pedro Cabral Sailed far West to catch good winds, saw and claimed the land today known as Brazil
Explorers: Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Christopher Columbus Sail west around the world from Spain to reach China Believed he reached India, called native Indians. Error was only discovered in 1502 by Amerigo Vespucci Vasco Nunez de Balboa 1513 discovered the Isthmus of Panama First to see Pacific Ocean Ferdinand Magellen 1519- Left Spain with 5 Ships and 250 Magellen was killed in the Philippines, only 18 men returned in 1522 Read pg. 474 “An Explorers Journal” TPS
New Patterns of Trade: Columbian Exchange Exchange of plants, animals and disease between natives and European explorers
Countries should limit imports and maximize exports Mercantilism: “A nations strength depends on its wealth (measured by gold and silver).” Only a fixed amount of wealth in the world and nations must compete for it Countries should limit imports and maximize exports Countries should have their own source of raw materials to avoid dependence on others. Colonies only exist as a way for the mother country to make money. Colonies can only trade with the mother country. Pg. 485 Read “Two Sources on Colonies” TPS
Rise of Capitalism What is capitalism? Joint-Stock Companies: International trade was expensive Investors pool their money to fund large businesses Investors buy shares of stock in a company. When there is profit, each shareholder receives a portion of that profit. It also works the other way around. Example: British East India Company What are the similarities and differences between Mercantilism and Capitalism?