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European Contacts & Conquests. Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. GSTR 221-A: Western Traditions II Berea College Spring 2005. EUROPE BEFORE COLUMBUS. Culturally homogeneous Technologically backward relative to Asian societies Isolated by sea to north, south, and west
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European Contacts & Conquests Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. GSTR 221-A: Western Traditions II Berea College Spring 2005
EUROPE BEFORE COLUMBUS • Culturally homogeneous • Technologically backward relative to Asian societies • Isolated by sea to north, south, and west • Contained by Ottoman Empire (Muslim) to east • Aware and terrified of Muslim civilization; knowledge of Asian societies sparse • Tremendous curiosity about “exotic” Asia and Africa; Americas still unknown
ASIA BEFORE COLUMBUS • Culturally heterogeneous • Technologically advanced • Well-connected by trade to Middle East, Africa • East Asia dominated by China, which commissions exploratory journeys to India, Iran, Arabia, and Africa • South Asia dominated by Muslim rulers • Little interest in Africa, Europe; Americas unknown
AFRICA BEFORE COLUMBUS • Culturally heterogeneous • Technology comparable to Europe in coastal regions; inland regions relatively isolated and undeveloped • Aside from coastal Muslim cities and kingdoms, little awareness of global affairs • First Africans sold into European slavery, c. 1441
THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS • Isolated from Asia, Africa, and Europe • North, Central, and South American cultures loosely linked by trade • Technological levels ranging from hunter-gatherer to complex city • Aztec Empire dominates Mexico • Incan Empire dominates Peru
MOTIVES FOR EXPLORATION • Religious: expansion of Christendom, resistance to Islamic power, propaganda value in Reformation struggles between Protestant and Roman Catholic rulers and nations • Commercial: expansion of markets, especially Asian markets cut off by Ottoman monopoly • Political: expansion of territory overseas as alternative to conquest in Europe • In other words: “God, Gold, and Glory”
1441: Portuguese kidnap Senegalese for sale as slaves; by 1450, approximately 1000 Africans sold as slaves each year 1492: Columbus claims “Asia” (Caribbean) for Spain 1498: Vasco da Gama sails around Africa, arrives in India; John Cabot reaches Canada, seeking Asia 1509-1511: Portuguese massacre Muslims in India 1514: Portuguese in China 1519: Magellan’s crew circumnavigates planet 1519-1520: Cortez claims Mexico for Spain, enslaves Aztecs, forces conversions to Christianity 1530-1535: Pizarro claims Peru for Spain, enslaves Incans, forces conversions to Christianity 1543: Portuguese in Japan 1549: First Christian missionaries arrive in Japan EXPLORATION & EXPLOITATION
FOR EUROPEANS: Massive enrichment of European treasuries Muslim monopolization of Asian markets undermined Proliferation of new goods and new markets Cheap labor (slaves) Dramatic expansion of global knowledge Increase in sense of cultural and religious superiority FOR NON-EUROPEANS: Massive loss of wealth Increasing dependence on European trade monopolies Destabilization of cultures, regimes, empires Depopulation through slave trade (Africa – 10 million Africans enslaved by 1700) Genocide (Americas – 40% of population killed by massacre, slavery, disease) Loss of cultural confidence CONSEQUENCES OF CONTACT
