1. Portugal, De Gama, and Columbus Beginnings of Globalization

2. Portugal Geography and religious zeal helped spur Portugal’s unlikely rise to world prominence. Location – strategically located; in between the fighting of Christianity vs. Islam. Islam spread quickly across north Africa – by the 800s C.E., Moors (Muslims) crossed into Europe.

3. Portugal By 1492, Spanish and Portuguese Christians rallied to force Islam out of the Iberian Peninsula. Fighting continued in the middle east – Why? What did Portugal do and why did they have an advantage?

4. Portugal 1440s C.E., Portugal scoured the west coast of Africa. Began trading gold and ivory. Began buying and selling African slaves for selling in Europe.

5. Looking for The Indies African exploitation slowed, but picked up again by the 1480s for Portugal. Portugal and Spain began competing – for what? In 1487, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the southern tip of Africa, connecting the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

6. Looking for The Indies Portugal could now tap back into the spice trade. Success finally came for Portugal with the voyage of Vasco da Gama from 1497-1499. What did this mean for Portugal?

7. Da Gama and Columbus Portugal and Spain began competing, remember? Rather than sail the same route as the Portuguese to get to India, Spain opted to sail westward. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – expelled Muslims and forced Jews into exile – same time sponsored Christopher Columbus

8. Voyage of Columbus An Italian navigator, Columbus left Spain with 90 men aboard 3 small ships – Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria. First went to the Canary Islands, then began sailing westward. Where do you think Columbus expected to encounter after 3-4 weeks of sailing?

9. Voyage of Columbus Misunderstandings?? – He understood the Earth was round, but didn’t believe it was as big as past navigators or scientists. – He didn’t realize how big the Eurasian land mass was. – He didn’t realize how far Japan and China are from one another.

10. Voyage of Columbus On October 12, 1492 C.E., land was spotted – named San Salvador. Inhabitants proved welcoming. Columbus was happy – “gold which they wear hanging from their noses. But I wish to go and see if I can find the island of Cipangu.”

11. Voyage of Columbus Cipangu = Japan San Salvador = Bahamas Columbus thought Asia was only 10 days away from San Salvador. Set claim to La Isla Espanola – present day Haiti and Dominican Republic.

12. Voyage of Columbus Columbus heard about people called Caribs, or Caniba. Europeans soon fashioned the word cannibal and named the region the Caribbean. Columbus, upon his return, claimed to have found the Indies and named the inhabitants Indians. Columbus died in 1506 C.E.

13. Voyage of Columbus Columbus didn’t reach the Indies. Was his journey a failure? What will be the lasting consequence of this voyage? Please answer these questions and write an Historical ID for the Voyage of Columbus on a separate sheet of paper.