1. The Age of Exploration

3. Did you know… Spices were so valuable in Europe that you could pay your rent in peppercorns

4. Early Exploration 1000 CE Leif Eriksson lands in present day Canada (Vinland) 1492 Columbus lands in the New World Why no credit for the Vikings? Why so long between “discoveries”

5. What Changed? 1095 the Crusades Renaissance Reformation Technological Innovation The Commercial Revolution Strong Monarchies and the Nation-State

6. Why Explore? Sea Routes to spices in Asia Gold, silver, precious stones Expand knowledge of the world Control a larger empire (resources) Spread Christianity Animal furs/fish Adventure

7. Why Explore New Maritime Technologies Hartman Astrolabe (1532) Better Maps [Portulan] Sextant Mariner’s Compass

8. Why Go West? Turkish Empire Direct/faster trade route Bandits Taxes/tolls Natural hazards Competition

9. Why Not Go West? Conventional Wisdom –Knew the Earth was round –Thought the distance was too great –Didn’t know about the Americas** Columbus thought it was shorter

10. Why ExploreCycle of Conquest and Colonization Explorers Conquistadores Missionaries Permanent Settlers Official European Colony!

11. Columbian Exchange Old World New World