1. Age of Exploration,

2. I. Europeans Explore Asia
Prior to 1400s, Europeans had little interest or ability to explore far-off, foreign lands
The ideas and events of the Renaissance stirred European unrest/curiosity
3 motivating factors
1) Economic motivations (wanted to be rich)
Spices and luxury items from Asia were introduced during the Crusades
Trade took place between Italian and Muslim merchants
Charged high prices
Other European merchants looking for a direct route to Asia
2) Spread of Christianity
Many Europeans felt it was their duty to convert non-Christians

3. I. Continued… 3 motivating factors (continued…)
3) New technologies
New ships (caravels) were faster, sturdier, and could sail against the wind
Astrolabe and sextant allowed sailors to calculate latitude
Magnetic compass gave ability to track direction
Portugal first to embrace and pursue exploration
First to establish trading outposts along African coast
Supported by Prince Henry of Portugal
Founded navigation school, supported explorers financially

4. I. Continued… Spain was jealous of Portugal’s success
1488 – Portuguese sailors rounded tip of Africa, began exploring east Africa
1498 – Vasco da Gama travelled to Calcuta, India
Spain was jealous of Portugal’s success
Sent Christopher Columbus searching for a route to Asia in 1492
Rivalry between Spain and Portugal grew tense
Pope Alexander VI suggested created a dividing line
Ran north-south, gave Spain all lands west, Portugal all lands east
Signed the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494

5. II. Trading Empires in the Indian Ocean
After da Gama’s voyage, Portugal established a thriving trading empire throughout Indian Ocean
Seized control of spice trade from Muslim merchants
Captured trading ports in Middle East, India, East Indies (modern-day Malaysia and Indonesia)
Prices for Asian goods dropped in Europe, access increased
Success of Portuguese attracted other European countries to area
Around 1600, Dutch and English challenged Portuguese dominance
Established East India Companies to trade with Asia
Could mint money, make treaties, establish armies
Would lay the foundation of later colonies
Dutch and English remain dominant forces into modern times

6. Dutch Empire, 17th – 19th centuries.
British Empire, early 20th century

7. II. Continued…
Both England and France established own profitable trading companies in Asia
England eventually gained control of India over France after Seven Years War
Europeans controlled many Asian ports, but influence was limited
Small groups converted to Christianity, but majority of populations remained elusive
Chinese and Japanese governments sharply resisted European cultural influence between 1500 and 1800

8. 5-Minute Response Put your notes away.
Answer the following question in complete sentences:
What motivated/allowed Europeans to gain access to, and eventually dominate, overseas trade?

9. III. China During the Age of Exploration
Ming Dynasty ( )
Dominant power in Asia at the time
Founded by Hongwu in 1368, originally a peasant
Sought to restore power of China, erase Mongol past
Encouraged return to Confucian ideas, restored examination system
Eventually became a tyrant, killing thousands of government officials suspected of plotting against him
Yonglo, son of Hongwu, continued many policies of his father
Began short-lived Chinese age of exploration
Zheng He led all voyages
Explored as far as West Africa, established a system of tribute in more than 16 countries
Voyages were ended in 1433

10. III. Continued… Qing Dynasty Trade and commerce highly regulated
Confucian beliefs argued against idea of commerce, trade for profit
Economic policies favored agriculture, not external trade
Fear of outside (European) influence led to isolation
Decline of Ming Dynasty caused by corrupt officials, high taxes, and bad harvests that led to civil unrest
Qing Dynasty
Manchus (from Manchuria in the north) invaded China in 1644 as Ming Dynasty faded
Ruled for 260 years, expanded control to Taiwan, Mongolia, Tibet
Continued many traditions from Ming Dynasty
Confucian ideas/policies, isolationism
Increased security, lowered taxes

11. III. Continued… Life in China
New crops/agricultural techniques led to improved nutrition, population explosion
Females were not highly valued, many female infants killed (female infanticide)
Achievements in the arts flourished

12. III. Japan Becomes Isolated
1400s – civil war disrupted centralized Japanese leadership
With centralized power gone, feudalism became dominant system
Warlords (daimyo) held real power, emperor had little say
Three military leaders attempted to restore unity
Oda Nobunaga gained control of capital Kyoto in 1568
Tried to eliminate enemies, rule all of Japan
Unified large portion of central Japan
Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued Nobunaga’s mission
Gained control of most of Japan by 1590 through alliances
Launched attacks on Korea, first steps to building larger empire (proved to be a mistake)
Tokugawa Ieyasu oversaw the unification of Japan by 1600
Discontinued overseas expansion efforts, feared outside influences
Tokugawa shogunate held power until 1867

13. III. Continued… European contact began mid-16th century Isolation
Brought new technologies, ideas
Guns, printing press, clocks
Guns gave advantage to unifying leaders over their enemies
Christian missionaries attempted to convert
Some early success, many people were interested in the West
But, by late 16th century, Christian missionaries and converts were being actively persecuted
Thought to be a threat to the social order
Isolation
By mid-17th century, Japanese ships forbidden to sail overseas
Outsiders limited to port of Nagasaki – only Dutch and Chinese merchants
For more than 200 years, Japan was basically closed to Europeans

14. 5-Minute Response
Compare and contrast China and Japan during the 15th to 19th centuries.