1. Age of Exploration
1400 and beyond

2. Causes
Prior to the 1400’s Europeans were ready to venture beyond their borders.
Renaissance encouraged among other things a new spirit of adventure and curiosity.
Prior to this time the Europeans were NOT exactly isolated….
1100’s European crusaders battled Muslims for control of the holy lands in SW Asia (Middle East)
1275 Marco Polo reached the court of Kublai Khan in China
For the most part however Europeans had neither the interest nor the means (ability) to ex[lore foreign lands

3. Factor that spurred an “Age of Exploration”?
“GOD, GLORY, AND GOLD” were the primary motives for exploration.

4. GOD Desire to spread Christianity
The crusades had left feeling of hostility between Christians and Muslims
European’s felt they had a sacred duty not only to continue fighting Muslims, but also to convert non-Christians throughout the world.
Bartolomeu Dias, an early Portuguese explorer explained motives as follows,
“to serve God and His Majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich as all men desire to.”
Example of the “White Man’s Burden”

5. Gold
Desire to grow rich and talk of these riches being plentiful in the new world.
Through overseas exploration, merchant and traders hoped to benefit from what had become a profitable business in Europe
Trade of spices and other luxury goods from Asia
Introduced to these goods during the crusades
Europeans continued the demand for these goods post wars
Demand higher than supply= merchants charging higher prices and making profit
Muslims & Italians controller the trade of goods from east-west
Other Europeans don’t like this arrangement bc cuts into their profit
By1400 merchants and monarchs from England. Spain, Portugal and France sought to pass Italian merchants
MEANT FINDING A SEA ROUTE DIRECTLY TO ASIA!!

6. Glory/Renaissance Encouragement
Opportunity for discovery and notoriety/fame upon return
Advances in technology made the voyages possible
Up to this point European ships could not sail against the wind
Caravel- sturdier and triangular sails allowed it to sail effectively against the wind.
Navigation techniques
Astroble- prefected by the Muslims
Magnetic compass- created by the Chinese

7. The Technology of Exploration
Developments in cartography and navigation built of previous knowledge developed in the classical, Islamic, and Asian worlds, and included the production of new tools, innovations in ship designs, and an improved understanding of global wind and currents patterns- all of which made transoceanic travel and trade possible