1. The Age of Exploration
Why leave Europe?

2. Europeans vs. Americans 15th Century

3. European Technology

4. Reasons for Leaving Europe

5. Spices No refrigeration = meat spoils, unless preserved with spices
These spices were also used to cover up the taste of rotten meat

6. Spice Trade
These spices could not be found in Europe, so Europeans had to go out and find them elsewhere
Finding a sea route for spice trade would make everything much cheaper and easier

7. Gold Finding gold would bring wealth and power to countries
This gold could be easily taken from native populations

8. Larger Empires More land = More resources
This also meant that countries could take advantage of the people living there

10. Spread Christianity
Monarchs during this time believed it was their duty to spread Christianity throughout the world
They sent missionaries in an attempt to convert everyone to Christianity

11. Spices, Gold, Land, and Christianity
Of these reasons, what do you think was the most important?

12. Spices, Gold, Land, and Christianity
Do you think that these reasons still exist today?

13. Western Europe on the Eve of Exploration
Why were spices so important and expensive?
What were the Crusades?
What types of government existed in Europe?
What was the Renaissance?