Transcript Beginnings of the Global Age Europe, Africa & Asia 1415-1796

Beginnings of the
Global Age
Europe, Africa & Asia
1415-1796
Unit Objective:
• To understand how EARLY
TRADE NETWORKS
helped the world move
toward GLOBALIZATION.
“It’s a small world
after all.”
What do we already
know?
• Why did European explorers want
to travel to Asia?
• Why did Europeans find
potentially dangerous sea routes
preferable to over-land routes?
Which statement do you most
agree with?
A. Spreading religion is a
valid reason for
conquering other
people
B. Obtaining wealth is a
valid reason for
conquering
C. Spreading democracy
is a valid reason
D. There are no valid
reasons
Motivations for Exploring the Seas
• By the 1400’s, Europe’s
population had grown
after the Black Death
(plague)
• Spices preserved and
flavored food, made
medicine and perfume
• The Spice Islands were
in present-day Indonesia
• Spices could not be
grown elsewhere. (Europe’s
Climate was not good for growing the
spice plants.)
• See map pg. 85
Sailors had to
get over their
fear of the
Earth being
flat. And their
fear of sea
monsters like
Krakens and
Leviathans.
Giant Squid
• A giant squid has never
lived for more than a
few days in captivity.
• Most are found dead.
Sailor’s Impact
• Many scientists believe
sailing vessels changed
shark habits.
• Many sharks started
following ships waiting to
feast on the fish drawn to
the ship’s waste.
• The “Middle Passage” in
the Atlantic Slave Route
also has drawn a larger
number of sharks to the
area.
It followed me home! Can I keep him?
Controlling trade between
Europe and Asia
• Arab merchants brought
goods from Asia to
Mediterranean ports
• Italian Merchants sold
goods from Asia within
Europe
• Europeans paid higher
prices because of the
middle-man!
• Europeans wanted to
control the spice trade via
sea routes to Asia
• The sea routes are also
faster.
Portugal Sails East
• Prince Henry paid for
explorers and was able to
expand Portugal into N.
Africa
• Prince Henry wanted to:
1. Convert Africans to
Christianity
2. Find sources of riches within
Africa
3. Find an easier route to Asia by
going around Africa
See map pg. 85
Prince Henry the Navigator
Gave Portugal the reputation of
a sea faring nation.
• Mapped western coast of
Africa, redesigned ships, and
trained crews.
• Bartholomeu Dias rounded the
tip of Africa in 1488. The tip
became known as the Cape of
Good Hope because it opened
the sea route to Asia.
• Vasco da Gama 1497 - sailed
around Cape of Good Hope to
India.
• Da Gama left Portuguese
merchants in India to buy goods,
and took control of key ports
around the Indian Ocean, creating
a trading empire for Portugal.
Columbus Seeks the East
Indies
• While from Portugal, only Spain would
sponsor his trip to sail West in order to
reach E. Asia.
• Spain’s King and Queen sought riches.
• In 1492, he sailed w/the Nina, Pinta and
Santa Maria looking for a direct sea route
to India.
• Greatly underestimated the Earth’s size.
• Landed on Caribbean islands.
• Thought he was in East
Indies, so called the natives
“Indians.”
• Credited with finding a route
to two unknown continents.
Columbus’s Four Voyages
Voyage #1
Voyage #3
Voyage #2
Voyage #4
Columbus on the Natives
• "They... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears
and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass
beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded everything
they owned.... They were well-built, with good bodies and
handsome features.... They do not bear arms, and do not
know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the
edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no
iron. Their spears are made of cane.... They would make
fine servants.... With fifty men we could subjugate them all
and make them do whatever we want."
Line of Demarcation
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella claimed the lands of the new
world.
• The Pope divided the non-European world into two spheres: Spain
had trading and exploration rights in lands west of the line; Portugal,
east of the line.
• Formalized in the Treaty of Tordesillas.
• See map Pg. 85
• Question: How did the Treaty of Tordesillas affect competition
among European nations? Why?
America
• Amerigo Vespucci, a sea captain,
wrote about Brazil and called it
“America.”
• “The Americas” came to be used
for both continents.
The Search for a Direct Route
• The English, Dutch and
French explored N. America
looking for a direct route to
Asia (a northwest passage)
• Spanish explorer Balboa
crossed Panama with help
from the natives and reached
the Pacific Ocean.
• Ferdinand Magellan (Spain)
searched S. America for a
direct route to Asia. He
found he way around tip of S.
American & named it the
Strait of Magellan
Magellan
• Magellan’s crew wanted to
turn back, but he pressed
on. He greatly
underestimated the size of
the Pacific.
• Landed in the Philippines 4
months later where he was
killed.
• The survivors returned to
Spain 3 yrs later, the first to
circumnavigate (sail
around) the world.
Are you Gellin?
Chuck Norris