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This text explores the European motivations during the Age of Exploration, including the desire for wealth, spreading Christianity, and gaining fame. It also discusses the impact of new technologies and the search for a direct trade route to Asia.
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L.T. : I can describe European motivation for exploring overseas. • The Age of Exploration refers to 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.
BELLWORK QUIZ • In a well-composed paragraph, explain the reasons for the Age of Exploration, using the 3 G’s in your answer.
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 (navigation, printing press)
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
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?
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.
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
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.
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
Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas • The pope divided the non-European world into 2 zones: • SPAIN—trading and exploration rights west of the line • PORTUGAL—east of the line • Geography still imprecise though. • But other nations convinced they needed to build their own empires quickly.
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 • Strait of Magellan – Pacific Ocean (peaceful) • Continued on:4 months • Ate rats, maggots, and sawdust to survive • Scurvy was common (rotted gums, gangrene) • 3 ships made it to the Philippines. • 3 G’s accomplished.
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. • 1st to circumnavigate the globe!
The Spanish Conquest • Conquistadors • (1) Cortés=Aztecs • Emperor Moctezuma thought he might be an Aztec god-king; convinced to sign over land and treasure; a brutal struggle, emperor dies • Tenochtitlán=Mexico City
(2) Pizarro: Peru’s Incan empire • Ruler Atahualpa refuses to convert, killed, Incas decimated by disease
Encomienda System • Land/tribute demanded from Native Americans by the Spanish (mining, farming) • More laborers needed=importing Africans
Spanish Colonial Culture • A blending of Native American, European and African cultures • Pyramid of social classes: • TOP: Peninsulares (born in Spain) • MIDDLE: Creoles (American born descendants of Spanish settlers) • BOTTOM: • Mestizos (Native American and European descent) • Mulattoes: (African and European descent)
Learning Target: I can analyze the effects of the Atlantic Slave Trade • The Triangular Trade • The Middle Passage • --readings/discussion
Learning Target: I can explain the effects of the Columbian Exchange • Crash Course: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPA5oNpfM4 • 4 categories: • Disease • Animals • Plants • People