Age of Exploration: European Quest for Trade Routes

1. Age of Exploration In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Reasons for European Exploration of New Trade Routes Conquistadors Columbian Exchange Slave Trade

2. Age of exploration • Early 15th century to the 17th century • European nations sent ships around the world to look for new trade routes • Capitalism in Europe was growing • Crusades and Renaissance brought wealth for European nations to spend • Commissioned explorers to travel the world in search of new riches and set up colonies

3. During the 1300s and 1400s, Arab merchants carried goods from Asia to the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

4. In order to trade with Asia, Europeans Had to use the Silk Road by land Or sail around Africa. European Nations looked for New trade routes.

5. Bartholomeu Dias • In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias sailed around (circumnavigated) the southern tip of Africa. • Bartholomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer who travelled around Africa in order to get to Asia and trade • Dias named the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Storms. However, the king of Portugal renamed it the “Cape of Good Hope.” • The King did not want to frighten future explorers. • Dias was the first explorer to successfully circumnavigate around Africa • Circumnavigate?

6. Dias was the first European explorer to circumnavigate Africa.

7. Once Dias proved that the circumnavigation of Africa was possible, others followed.

8. Vasco da Gama found an all-water trade route Through the Mediterranean to Asia in 1498.

9. New trade routes shifted trade from the Silk Road to the oceans and seas.

10. European ships began exploring the seas and oceans in search of new trade routes.

11. Technology leads to exploration • By the late 1400’s explorers could successfully sail away from land and navigate themselves back to shore • Inventions like the compass and the adjustable rudder aided explorers in their travels • The compass was invented by the Chinese and made its way to Europe thanks to trade on the Silk Road

12. Columbus • Christopher Columbus believed that by sailing west he could successfully travel to Asia • In 1492 Columbus was commissioned by the King and Queen of Spain Ferdinand and Isabella to sail west and reach Asia • Spain was trying to break a monopoly Portugal had on the waters around Africa

14. Treaty of Tordesillas • Columbus returns from the “West Indies” • A treaty between Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and King John II of Portugal was established • Treaty of Tordesillas divided land of travel between Spain and Portugal • Use lines of longitude to divide areas of control between Spain and Portugal

15. E. Napp

16. Effects • The exploration of the Americas encouraged other European nations to send travelers west • Led to: • Trade with Native Americans • Conquering of Native American Tribes • The Columbian Exchange • Atlantic slave trade