Download - Age of Exploration & Isolation
Age of Exploration & Isolation1400-1800
God, Glory, & GoldEuropeans had not been isolated
from the rest of world before 1400s1110 European Crusaders battled
Muslims for Holy Lands in SW Asia1275 Marco Polo reached court of
Kublai ChinaBefore 1400s Europeans had not
desire or capability to explore foreign lands
Desire to grow rich & spread Christianity, combined with new sailing technologies spurred age of European exploration
Europeans seek new trade routes GOLD #1 reason- to seek new sources of wealth was main reason for
exploration By sailing, Europeans hoped to find new/faster sea routes to Asia GLORY
Goals were to 1. Win access to these lands (BY SEA)
2. Bypass the Muslims & Italians who currently controlled trade European monarchs got tired of paying Italians high prices for Asian
goods Spices (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, pepper) Luxury goods Merchants could take these back to Europe and make huge profits re-
selling them
GOD- Spread of Christianity Motivation for Europeans to explore Crusades left Europeans feeling they had a sacred duty to fight the Muslims
but to also convert non-Christians in Asia mostly
New Technologies
Long voyages were impossible because European ships could not sail against the wind
Caravel- new ship Stronger built than older ships Triangular shaped sails allowed better navigation
& ability to sail against the wind (Arab invention)
Astrolabe- used to determine location @ sea used to calculate latitude (determined location
North/South)
Magnetic Compass More accurately calculated direction Invented by Chinese
Portugal Leads the Way
Leaders in applying new technologies
Strong support to explore by government Prince Henry- Kings Son Conquered Muslim city of Ceuta-
captured spices/jewels 1st country to establish trading posts
along west coast of AfricaEventually pushed farther into the
Indian Ocean
Exploring AfricaPrince Henry
went to Africa in 1415 Discovered wealth beyond Europe- (pepper, cinnamon,
spices, gold/silver, & jewels)
Determined to reach the source of these treasures in the east (Asia) Also wanted to spread Christianity
1419- Founded navigation school on Portugal’s SW coast Mapmakers, instrument makers, ship builders, scientists,
& captains came to perfect their trade
Within years the Portuguese had established many trading posts along the west coast of Africa Trading for gold, jewels, & spices Traded for Africa captives to be used as SLAVES
Started attempting a voyage to Asia
Portuguese Reach Asia To reach Africa they believed they had to sail
around tip of Africa Bartolomeu Dias
1488 ventured down the west coast until they reached the tip
Storm battered them for days and pushed them to East coast
His crew was exhausted an low on supplies so he turned around and headed home
Vasco da Gama 1497 began exploring Africa’s east coast 1498 reached port of Calicut in India Amazed by the spices, silks, and gems they found Filled their ship with 60 times what the voyage cost
and headed back to Portugal His 27,000 mile trip established a direct sea route
to Asia
Spain Gets InvolvedSpanish monarchs began to desire a direct route to AsiaChristopher Columbus- 1492
Convinced monarchs that he could find a route to Asia by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean
October- he reached the Caribbean Islands (Bahamas) He thought he had reached the East Indies Opened door for colonization of Americas Increased tensions between Spain & Portugal
Portuguese believed Columbus had reached AsiaPope Alexander 6th
Stepped in to keep the peace Suggested an imaginary dividing line North/South through the Atlantic
Ocean Lands West were Spanish- most of the Americas Lands East were Portuguese- Asia/Africa
Treaty of Tordesillas
Portuguese argued that Spain was given too much territory
Lined moved farther west for Portuguese Gives them Brazil
Portugal signs Treaty of Tordesillas
Started era of exploration & colonization
Trading Empires Clash European nations scrambled to
established trading posts along South/SE Asia
Battled each other and region’s inhabitants
Portugal 1509 defeated Muslim fleet off coast of India Became masters of Indian trade Captured islands of Moluccas- Spice Islands Spices now cost Portuguese now cost 1/5 of
what they used to cost Spain-1521
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Philippines Settled them in 1565 Died during Civil war in Philippines crew
made it home First person to circumnavigate the world***
Nations Challenge Portugal
Netherlands- Dutch Worlds largest fleet 20,000 ships
Battled mostly the English for control of lands in Asia Dutch East India Company
Mint money Make treaties Raise armies Richer/more powerful than English Eventually drove English and established dominace over region
Dutch Dominance Seized the spice Islands Increased control over Indian Ocean Amsterdam- Netherlands capital
Became leading commercial center Established trading outposts in several Asian
countries Controlled Cape of Good Hope
Southern tip of Africa
England/FranceStarted establishing trading postsStarted East India Company
Never showed much profit
Limited influence in this region other than India
European traders began to seek new riches in China and Japan
Ch.3 Sec.1 Questions
How did Ferdinand Magellan die?A.Lost @ Sea
B.Killed in Philippines during civil war
C.Heart attack
D.Starved to death
Ch.3 Sec.1 QuestionsWhat Dutch city became the trading capitol of the world due to exploration?A.London
B.Amsterdam
C.Rotterdam
D.Luxemburg
Ch.3 Sec.1 QuestionsWhich European country dominated Indian trade and controlled the Cape of Good Hope in Africa?A.Spain
B.Portugal
C.Netherlands
D.Chinese
Ch.3 Sec.1 QuestionsWhich Asian country was influenced by England and France during the 1400s Age of Exploration?A. Africa
B. Philippines
C.Australia
D. India