1. The Age of Exploration

2. Q: How did the Renaissance encourage the Age of Exploration?
The Renaissance promoted the spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration. The printing press helped spread these ideas across Europe and it motivated Europeans to explore the world around them.

3. Q: What were the motives for the explorers?
The desire to grow rich
New sources of wealth was the main reason for the exploration of the east.
Luxury goods and the trade of spices had developed into a profitable business after they were introduced during the Crusades
Merchants and traders hoped to benefit from this exploration -- the sale of spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper were in high demand in Europe
Finding a shorter trade route would increase supply and stop the chain of re-sale after re-sale of spices
A direct sea route to Asia would allow for countries to “bypass” Italian merchants and their expensive prices

4. Q cont’d: What were the motives for the explorers?
Spreading Christianity
The Crusades had left hostility between Muslims and Christians and most countries in Europe made it their mission to continue fighting Muslims
European countries also set out to convert non- Christians to Christianity, sending missionaries across the globe
As well as popularizing goods from Asia, they also wanted to Christianize them
Prince Henry was a large promoter of Portuguese exploration, earning himself the title of the “Navigator”.
Prince Henry was also a promoter of spreading Christianity. He was so passionate that he used his own money to organize expeditions and voyages in Africa
Q cont’d: What were the motives for the explorers?

5. Q: What were the new technological advances that helped explorers?
During the 1200s, European ships were frail and could not hold out against the harsh ocean winds. Ships were easily blown off course and only had the stars above to guide them. It was rare to travel beyond the sight of land, so European sailors and inventors set to work, experimenting with new tools to help navigate the seas and more efficient designs for sailing ships, adapting methods from other cultures and civilizations During the 1400s ship builders designed a new vessel called the caravel. The caravel was sturdier than previous ships and used triangular sails, a method adopted from the Arabs. This improved the maneuverability of the ship, helping the vessel sail more effectively against the wind. The caravel also contained a cargo area. Inventors designed the ship for long voyages As well as improving the physical aspect of sailing, Europeans also created/advanced many forms of technology to improve their navigational skills. The astrolabe, a brass circle with “carefully adjusted rings marked off in degrees”, was a new piece of technology used to calculate the ship’s latitude of the equator. Explorers also used a magnetic compass to track direction. With these new pieces of technology, sailors were able to track their location and proximity to their destination easier than ever before.

6. Q: What was it like to be a sailor during the time?
Being a sailor in the 1400s and 1500s was to venture into the unknown. Sailors took a huge risk traveling to unknown territories in the quest of riches and spreading their faith. Ships had 190 sailors packed together eating the same food for a straight 3 months! The diet contained a large percentage of meat, grains, beer, cider, but severely lacked fruit. This lead many sailors to fall ill with scurvy, an illness caused by a lack of Vitamin C Some sailors were lucky enough to be a part of famous crews, like those of Bartolomeu Dias, or Vasco da Gama, who made groundbreaking discoveries for Portugal and Europe. Under the leadership of these men, sailors would be a part of the establishment of trade ports and trading empires across Africa and Asia.

7. Q cont’d: What was it like to be a sailor during the time?
Bartolomeu Dias: Dias was a Portuguese sailor who, in 1488, took a long voyage down the coast of Africa until him and his men reached the tip. While at the tip a storm passed through, blowing the ship around Africa. Dias and his crew explored the southeast coast,
Vasco da Gama: Vasco da Gama headed an expedition that gave Portugal a direct route to India. When heading along the east African coast, Da Gama reached the port of Calicut, near the southwestern coast of India. The entire ship was amazed by the culturally rich port, full of spices and jewels, and brought back mountains of cargo.
Christopher Columbus: Spain became envious as Portugal established many successful trading posts on the west coast of Africa. Spanish monarchs wanted a direct sea route to Asia, so Columbus took advantage, drumming up a bold plan: a direct route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic. In October of 1492, Columbus stumbled upon the Carribean islands, mistaking them for the East Indies. Despite the wrong location, his voyage increased hostility between Spain and Portugal.
Q cont’d: What was it like to be a sailor during the time?

8. Q cont’d: What was it like to be a sailor during the time?
As the hostility continued, Pope Alexander VI became peacemaker for the two nations. He decided to settle the matter and came up with an idea to divide the territories and lands with an imaginary line. The “Line of Demarcation” was drawn north to south, through the Atlantic Ocean. Everything west was Spain’s and everything east was Portugal’s. There was some resistance from Portugal and the line was moved west. In 1494, the two countries sign the Treaty of Tordesillas, where they make the line official, agreeing to honor it.
The Treaty of Tordesillas set the stage for colonization and exploration, and in 1519, a Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan set out on a voyage to the newly discovered Pacific Ocean. The five ships sailed to the southern end of South America, Guam, and eventually the Philippines. Tragically, Magellan died in a brawl but his crew arrived back 3 years later, having circumnavigated, or sailed around, the entire world.