1. Why do you think it’s important to study the age of exploration?
Bell Ringer
Why do you think it’s important to study the age of exploration?

2. Europeans explore the east
3.1

3. God, Glory, and Gold
Prior to 1400’s: Muslims & Italians controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia
Europeans’ desire for new wealth and to spread Christianity spurred interest in exploration
Needed new sea route to avoid high prices

4. Making Exploration Possible
Advances in technology:
New vessel: caravel
Astrolabe
Compass

5. Portugal Leads the Way
1st country to establish trading posts in Africa
Prince Henry supported exploration
1419: Founded a navigation school
Trained mapmakers, shipbuilders, captains, etc.
1488: Bartolomeu Dias sailed to tip of Africa and back
1498: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut, India
Gave Portugal a direct sea route to Asia

7. Spain Makes Claims
1492: Columbus sails West across Atlantic to find diff route to Asia
Discovers East Indies
Increased tensions between Spain and Portugal
1493: Pope Alexander VI drew Line of Demarcation to keep peace
West = Spain, East = Portugal
Signed Treaty of Tordesillas to honor line

9. Portugal Builds Empire
Determined to take trade away from Muslims
1514: Took control of Straits of Hormuz
1511: Attacked Malacca (Spice Islands)
Finally broke Muslim-Italian domination and sold goods cheaper

11. Dutch Challenge Portugese
1600’s: Dutch own largest fleet in world
Formed Dutch East India Company
Could make money, treaties, and raise armies
Battled England’s East India Company
Drove English and Portuguese out and controlled most of trade