Transcript Age of Exploration, 1400-1800

Age of Exploration, 1400-1800
I. Europeans Explore Asia
 Prior to 1400s, Europeans had little interest or ability to
explore far-off, foreign lands
 The ideas and events of the Renaissance stirred European
unrest/curiosity
CHALLENGE
QUESTION!
 3 motivating factors:

1) Economic motivations (wanted to be rich)
Spices/luxury items from Asia were introduced during the Crusades
 Trade took place between Italian and Muslim merchants who
charged high prices
 European merchants looked for a direct route to Asia to secure items
at lower cost


2) Spread of Christianity

Many Europeans felt it was their duty to convert non-Christians
I. Continued…
 3 motivating factors (continued…)

3) New technologies
New ships (caravels) were faster, sturdier,
and could sail against the wind
 Magnetic compass and astrolabe allowed
for better navigation, map making

 Portugal first to embrace and pursue exploration
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First to establish trading outposts along African coast
Supported by Prince Henry of Portugal

Founded navigation school, supported explorers
financially
I. Continued…

1488 – Portuguese sailors rounded tip of Africa, began
exploring east Africa

1498 – Vasco da Gama travelled
to Calcuta, India
 Spain was jealous of Portugal’s
success

Sent Christopher Columbus
searching for a route to Asia in 1492
 Rivalry between Spain and
Portugal grew tense

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Pope Alexander VI suggested created a dividing line that split the world
Signed the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494
 Dividing line ran north-south, gave Spain all lands west, Portugal all
lands east
Map of Conquest, 1494-1506
Source - http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/history/lecture14/fig_14-1.html
II. Trading Empires in the Indian Ocean
 After da Gama’s voyage, Portugal established a thriving
trading empire throughout Indian Ocean

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Seized control of spice trade from Muslim merchants
Captured trading ports in Middle East, India, East Indies (modernday Malaysia and Indonesia)
Prices for Asian goods dropped in Europe, access increased
Success of Portuguese attracted other European countries to area
 Around 1600, Dutch and English challenged Portuguese
dominance

Established East India Companies to trade with Asia
Could mint money, make treaties, establish armies
 Would lay the foundation for colonies later

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Dutch and English remained dominant forces into modern times
Dutch Empire,
17th – 19th
centuries.
British Empire, early 20th century
II. Continued…
 Competition between European nations eventually leads to
worldwide conflict – Seven Years’ War

End of War gives British control over vast territory
 Europeans controlled many
Asian ports, but influence
was limited

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Small groups converted to
Christianity, but majority of
populations remained elusive
Chinese and Japanese
governments implement policies
of isolation to limit European
influence
EXIT TICKET
What role did religion play for the Europeans
during the Age of Exploration?
2. Describe a piece of technology that allowed
Europeans to go out and explore.
3. Who was the first person to round the southern tip
of Africa?
1.
Christopher Columbus
 Vasco da Gama
 Prince Henry

4. What did the Treaty of Tordesillas do?
III. China During the Age of Exploration
 Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Founded by Hongwu in 1368, originally a peasant
Sought to restore power of China, erase Mongol past
 Encouraged return to Confucian ideas, restored examination system
 Eventually became a tyrant, killing thousands of government officials
suspected of plotting against him


Yonglo, son of Hongwu, continued many
policies of his father
Began short-lived Chinese age of exploration
 Zheng He led all voyages
 Explored as far as West Africa, established a
system of tribute in more than 16 countries
 “Treasure Fleet” voyages mysteriously
ended in 1433

CHALLENGE
QUESTION!
III. Continued…

Trade and commerce become highly regulated
Confucian beliefs argued against idea of commerce, trade for profit
 Economic policies favored agriculture, not external trade
 Fear of outside (European) influence

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Policy of isolation had unintended consequences
Lack of technological progress – Europeans and others developed
better weapons, navigation tools over time
 Limited access to resources in times of need
 Society falls into disrepair – money spent on defense not on
supporting population

 Fall of Ming Dynasty caused by civil unrest, brought on by
problems associated with isolation policy
IV. Japan Becomes Isolated
 1400s – civil war had disrupted centralized Japanese
leadership
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With centralized power gone, feudalism became
dominant system
Regional warlords (daimyo) held real power,
emperor had little say

Warlords relied on samurai to protect land and
control peasant population
 European contact began mid-16th century
 Brought new technologies, ideas
 Guns, printing press, mechanical clocks
IV. Continued…

Brought new technologies, ideas (continued…)

Christian missionaries attempted to convert
 Some early success, many people were interested Western ideas
 But, by late 16th century, Christian missionaries and converts were
being actively persecuted
• Thought to be a threat to the social order
 Isolation
 By mid-17th century, Japanese ships forbidden to sail overseas
 Outsiders limited to port of
Nagasaki – only Dutch and
Chinese merchants
 For more than 200 years,
Japan was basically closed to
Europeans and the West
CHALLENGE QUESTION!
 Make a prediction (or three)!
 What do you think motivated the Europeans to go
out and explore the world?
List and explain at least three possible motivating factors.
 Complete sentences!

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CHALLENGE QUESTION!
 After the Ming dynasty ended the voyages of the
“Treasure Fleet”, China begin to enforce a policy of
isolation.
What factors might have motivated China into isolating
themselves from the rest of the world?
 What might be the positive and negative consequences of
such a policy?

 Complete
sentences, at least a paragraph.
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