The Significance of 1492 Instructor Pacas

The Significance of 1492 Prior to 1492 the region of Africa and Eurasia, though enjoying considerable contact due to the Crusades and Mongol conquest, were polities consciously defined by their territorial (land) limits. Prior to 1492 the region of Africa and Eurasia, though enjoying considerable contact due to the Crusades and Mongol conquest, were polities consciously defined by their territorial (land) limits. The world’s oceans were limit zones, borders that hampered expansion instead of ease trans-oceanic contact. The world’s oceans were limit zones, borders that hampered expansion instead of ease trans-oceanic contact.

Cont’d The ‘world’ view was limited in a sense-the limits of which were clearly marked by the world’s oceans. The ‘world’ view was limited in a sense-the limits of which were clearly marked by the world’s oceans ushered a new perception of the world- what we can truly call a global perspective ushered a new perception of the world- what we can truly call a global perspective. Different bodies of land and water all inter- connected. Different bodies of land and water all inter- connected. The Atlantic was no longer a barrier of contact but a facilitator of contact. The Atlantic was no longer a barrier of contact but a facilitator of contact.

The Atlantic Ocean and the Transformation of Europe

Mediterranean World and Asia circa 1400 CE Since the 11th century Spain and other European polities at war with fellow Christians and Muslims in Europe and Africa. Since the 11th century Spain and other European polities at war with fellow Christians and Muslims in Europe and Africa. In 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople. In 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople. Europe could still trade with Asia via the Ottoman state. Europe could still trade with Asia via the Ottoman state. Many European city states wished to find direct trade routes to the east and eliminate the Ottoman middle man. Many European city states wished to find direct trade routes to the east and eliminate the Ottoman middle man.

Cont’d African and Asian technology allowed improved navigation skills utilized by European Mediterranean kingdoms. African and Asian technology allowed improved navigation skills utilized by European Mediterranean kingdoms. The European primary motivation for exploration was profit- trade. The European primary motivation for exploration was profit- trade. It was the re-discovery of America and its wealth that tipped the scales of power in favor of Europe. It was the re-discovery of America and its wealth that tipped the scales of power in favor of Europe.

A New World The Trans-Atlantic Contact and Inter-cultural Exchange How did improved navigation skills, the Atlantic and the natural resources of the Americas transform Europe into a world power? How did improved navigation skills, the Atlantic and the natural resources of the Americas transform Europe into a world power?

Cont’d The wealth from the Americas financed European expansion - through trade and military ventures. The wealth from the Americas financed European expansion - through trade and military ventures. The wealth of America was a monopoly held by competing European nations. The wealth of America was a monopoly held by competing European nations. It was exclusively held by European/Christians and by no other civilizations of the ‘Old World.’ It was exclusively held by European/Christians and by no other civilizations of the ‘Old World.’ How did this fact transform Europe into a world power? How did this fact transform Europe into a world power?

A New World Power In 1350 the Black Death claimed many lives in Europe. In 1350 the Black Death claimed many lives in Europe. The discovery of America ushered a period of population growth in Europe. The discovery of America ushered a period of population growth in Europe. Europe enjoyed healthier diets from foodstuff of the Americas. Europe enjoyed healthier diets from foodstuff of the Americas. Economically European nations were strengthened. Economically European nations were strengthened. Social pressures caused by rapid population growth and poverty could be channeled into military or colonial ventures. Social pressures caused by rapid population growth and poverty could be channeled into military or colonial ventures.

Cont’d This caused relative stability perhaps never enjoyed before in Europe. This caused relative stability perhaps never enjoyed before in Europe. Europe able to consolidate its collective power. Europe able to consolidate its collective power. This is not to say that Europe enjoyed peace within the continent. This is not to say that Europe enjoyed peace within the continent. But many social pressures that could explode into civil strife had alternate means to be deflected. But many social pressures that could explode into civil strife had alternate means to be deflected.