1. Early Exploration
Today I will compare and contrast the nations that played the biggest roles in the early days of exploration.

2. Europe’s Ideal Location
Europe is centrally located
It lies close to two other continents that are already known (Asia & Africa)
It borders the Atlantic Ocean and faces two new continents (North & South America)

3. Portuguese Explorations
Led by Prince Henry
First settled islands to the west of Portugal
Moved on to Africa
Slowly explored Africa
Sent back gold & enslaved Africans

4. Portuguese Explorations
1488 – Rounded the Cape of Good Hope
1498 – Vasco da Gama landed in India
Wanted to beat the Spanish who had sent a fleet across the Atlantic

5. Spanish Explorations
1492 – Columbus convinced Ferdinand & Isabella that he could reach the riches of the Indies by sailing west and not around Africa
The Monarchy wanted to strengthen Catholic lands
3 ships: Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria
August to October 1492
Landed in the Bahamas
Called the people “Indians” thinking he was in the Indies
Decided the people could easily be conquered because they lacked metal weapons

7. Spanish Explorations Columbus went back to Spain in 1493
Died thinking he really had found the Indies
Amerigo Vespucci called the land a “New World”
Vasco de Balboa found the Pacific Ocean

8. Dutch Explorations Used warships to become leader of European Commerce
Dutch East India Company – was able to build armies, wage war, and govern overseas territory as they claimed it.
Enforced a monopoly in the Spice Islands, controlling all trade to Europe