Amerigo Vespucci

By: Jasmine BrewerMathis

World History 2G15 December 2012

Why did the Europeans need to seek new trade routes?

Merchants knew they could make big profits selling Asian goods such as spices and silks. European rulers wanted to find safer, faster trade routes to Asia so their countries could

become rich and powerful. In Portugal, sailors studied navigation and made new, faster ships. In 1498,Vasco da Gama sailed around the tip of Africa and east to India. His new route helped

Portugal grow rich from trade with Asia.

Explain what the phrase "for God, Glory, and Gold" meant.

On a quest for “God, glory, and gold,” the Portuguese and Spanish led the way in

exploring new worlds. Setting sail to the east, the Portuguese eventually gained control of the Spice Islands. In the west, Portugal and Spain

each claimed new lands in the Americas. By the end of the sixteenth century, however, the

Dutch, French, and English began competing with the Portuguese and Spanish for these new

lands and the riches they held.

Vespucci was born in Florence, Italy and studied navigation as a youth. He spent his early career in the banking firm of Lorenzo de' Medici. In 1491, he moved to Seville Spain, and worked with a company that equipped ships for long voyages.

His Voyages

Funded voyages:King Manuel I of Portugal

First Voyage: 1497Second Voyage: 1499Third Voyage: 1500Fourth Voyage: 1503

Accomplishments and Significance

- Amerigo discovered the continent between Europe and Asia.

This is significant because he was the first to recognize that this continent was not Asia

- People learned about America for the first time from the letters he wrote home

- A mapmaker, Martin Waldseemuller, named the continents after him, in honor of his

accomplishments.

Works CitedO http://www.google.com/search?q=amerigo+vespucci&hl

=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS406US409&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=MeHMUNy1OIj29gSqvIDQBg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1920&bih=871

O http://www.wlcsd.org/Loonlake.cfm?subpage=1434422

O http://www.buzzle.com/articles/voyages-of-amerigo-vespucci.html

O http://www.spsl.net/5th_Grade/Amerigo_Vespucci.html