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AGE OF EXPLORATION

AGE OF EXPLORATION. L.T. : I can describe European motivation for exploring the seas.

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AGE OF EXPLORATION

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  1. AGE OF EXPLORATION

  2. L.T. : I can describe European motivation for exploring the seas. • The Age of Exploration refers that time from the 1400s-1600s when many explorers took great risks to sail the seas and explore unknown lands. What things would have motivated them to do this? Try to list 3-5 ideas.

  3. The Age of Exploration A new age of European exploration, discovery, expansion, and settlement began in the 1400s. What was going on at that time??? • Renaissance • Population Increase • Centralization of Power (State-building) • New technology

  4. The 3 G’s • GOD • Desire to spread Christianity to the “uncivilized.” • GOLD • Find gold, spices, and other riches. • GLORY • To become famous; associated with Renaissance spirit of curiosity

  5. The Search for Spices • First explorers – looking for a new trade route to Asia. • Land – too long and too dangerous • Arabs and Italians were the middlemen between Europe and East Asia. • Merchants wanted to bypass them and find a direct route. • How? Go around tip of Africa.

  6. Spices • Extremely valuable • Were used to preserve and flavor food, in medicine, and in perfume. • Where? Moluccas – island chain in present-day Indonesia. “Spice Islands” • How? New technology and improved knowledge (prior to 1400s, ships could not sail against wind) • Caravel, astrolabe, magnetic compass, better maps, better knowledge of wind patterns.

  7. Portugal • Portugal led the way in the Age of Exploration. • Location – already traded along coast of Africa • Traded gold, ivory, slaves • Prince Henry – founded a school for navigators in 1419. • Bartolomeu Dias – 1488 – first person to round the southern tip of Africa – Cape of Good Hope • Vasco da Gama – 1498 – first person to reach India by this route • Very profitable…several thousand % (ginger, cinnamon)

  8. Spain • Portugal’s success in Asia made other countries jealous, especially Spain. • Christopher Columbus • Rejected by Portugal, sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella • His idea: sail west across the Atlantic to reach Asia • Thought it would only take a few weeks • Underestimated the circumference of the Earth • Didn’t know the Americas existed • Left Spain in August 1492; reached land on Oct 12.

  9. Columbus • Believed he had reached the East Indies. • “Indians” • Was really in the Bahamas. • Made 3 return visits; claimed land for Spain; exploitation of natives; empire building • Why America? Amerigo Vespucci • Columbus died in 1506, still believing he had reached Asia. • Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas

  10. Magellan • Was Portuguese but sailed for Spain • Left Spain on Sept 20, 1519 • 5 ships; 277 men • 1 ship was lost along the coast of S America • 1 ship (most supplies) mutinied • Strait of Magellan – Pacific Ocean • Ate rats, maggots, and sawdust to survive • Scurvy was common (rotted gums, gangrene) • 3 ships made it to the Philippines. • 3 G’s accomplished.

  11. Magellan • Spread Christianity to natives after performing a faith healing on the king’s brother • Set up trade with the king • Trade route west to Asia • Magellan was killed in battle here. • Only 1 ship (Victoria) makes it back to Spain in 1522 with 18 men.

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