The Age of Exploration 1400-1700

Understanding timelines BCE CE 1st century 2nd century 3rd century

the Age of exploration A great period of discovery from the later half of the fifteenth through the sixteenth centuries.

The Renaissance French for 'rebirth‘. 1400-1600 Europeans became more interested in studying the world around them.

Asian Goods Muslim Traders Italians Path of Asian Goods

Europeans Seek New Trade Routes Main desire for exploration: New sources of wealth (spices & luxury goods from Asia) Demand was higher than supply meant merchants could charge higher prices England, Spain, Portugal, and France wanted to bypass Italian merchants and find new sea routes for themselves To spread Christianity throughout the world.

New and Improved Tools of Exploration The caravel. Sturdy Triangular sails stronger against the wind Large cargo area Shallow draft allowed it to explore close to the shore.

Improved Maps- latitude and longitude New and Improved Improved Maps- latitude and longitude Astrolabe- used for measuring the distance north or south of the equator Compass

Europe in the 15th Century (1400s) Portugal

Portugal leads the way In the early 1400s, Prince Henry, known as the Navigator, encouraged sea captains to sail south along the coast of West Africa. He founded a school to teach navigation. Under Henry's guidance, the Portuguese designed a new type of ship called the caravel.

Prince Henry The Navigator

SPAIN

: Spain Joins in… The Age of Exploration would now become a competitive pursuit that would result in the European colonization of India, the Far East, the New World and eventually the establishment of empires.

Routes and Accomplishments FAMOUS EXPLORERS

1418 Prince Henry the Navigator builds a school for sailors. IMPORTANT! Prince Henry planned and sponsored explorations. He did not go on any of the explorations. Nevertheless, the prince is still considered an explorer.

Bartolomeu Dias 1488 PORTUGAL Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias The first European to sail around the tip of Africa. Discovers the Cape of Good Hope.

Portugal Dias Voyage 1488 Cape of Good Hope

Christopher columbus 1492 SPAIN Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus lands on an island of the Bahamas. Claims the land for Spain.

Spain Bahamas “New World” Columbus Voyage 1492

Vasco da Gama 1497 PORTUGAL Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama finds a sea route to India by sailing around Africa. Claims the land for Portugal

Portugal India Vasco Da Gama’s Voyage 1498

John Cabot 1497 ENGLAND Italian-born explorer John Cabot sails westwards from England in hopes to find a passage to Asia. On 24 June, 1497, he sights land on the northeast coast of Canada and calls it New-found-land (present day Newfoundland, Canada). He believes it is Asia and claims it for England.

England Canada JOHN CABOT’S Voyage 1497

John Cabot claims Northeast Canada for England

Ferdinand Magellan 1519-1522 SPAIN Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan leads the first expedition that circumnavigates the world. Magellan also names the Pacific Ocean (a calm, peaceful ocean).

Henry Hudson 1607 England English explorer Henry Hudson explores the Hudson Bay, and the Hudson River (North America). Claims the land for England. On his fourth voyage, he is left to die with his young son and seven others by a mutinous crew. Hudson was never heard from again.

Canada England Hudson Bay Henry Hudson’s Voyage 1610

Henry Hudson’s fourth and last Voyage

In the end… The Age of Exploration opened up the world for further exploration, colonization, conquest, and eventually European empire building.

Outcomes of Exploration Clash of Cultures: Native tribes in Africa & North/South America did not want to be conquered-they had their own cultures-so they fought back. Religious Conversion: Missionaries were sent to convert the conquered Natives to Christianity. Spread of Diseases: Without knowing, Europeans carried smallpox, malaria & the measles to the Americas-killing TENS of THOUSANDS of people. Slavery: Africans & natives of the Americas forced to work under horrible conditions.

Major European Trade Routes and Colonies-1750 (18th Century)

Credits Mariner’s Museum –Retrieved from http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org