Transcript An Age of Exploration and Isolation 1400-1800

AN AGE OF EXPLORATION AND
ISOLATION 1400-1800
EUROPEANS EXPLORE THE EAST
• The Renaissance encouraged a new spirit of adventure and curiosity
• This spirit of adventure lead Europeans to explore the world around them
• Beginning around 1100 European crusaders battled Muslims for control of the
Holy Lands in Southwest Asia
• In 1275 Italian trader Marco Polo reached the court of Kublai Khan in China
CHANGES SPUR ON TRAVEL
• For the most part, Europeans did not have the interest or ability to explore
foreign lands
• Desire to grow rich and spread Christianity changes that interest level
• Improvements in sailing technology creates ability to travel further more
efficiently
“FOR GOLD”
• The desire for new sources of wealth was main reason for Exploration
• Merchants and traders hoped ultimately to benefit from spice trade in Asia
• Nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, pepper all added flavor to bland European foods
• The demand higher than supply so prices were high and profits great
• Muslims and Italians control trade across land routes of Mediterranean region
• this creates desire from Portuguese, Spanish, English, French to find new sea route to Asia
“FOR GOD”
• The desire to spread Christianity motivates the Europeans to explore
• Crusades left feelings of hostility between Christians and Muslims
• Believed they had sacred duty to fight Muslims and convert non-Christians in world
• They wanted to obtain goods from Asians, and then Christianize them
• Bartolomeu Dias, Portuguese explorer said
• “To serve God and His majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness and to grow
rich as all men desire to do.”
TECHNOLOGY MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE
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While “God, Glory, and Gold” were the primary motives for exploration
technological advances made it all possible
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Prior to 1400s European ships could not sail against the wind
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Then shipbuilders build the caravel
• It was sturdier than previous ships and had triangular sails
• These sails taken from the Arabs allowed to sail effectively against the wind
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Europeans also improve navigational techniques
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Astrolabe, perfected by Muslims, to determine location at sea
Magnetic Compass, invented by the Chinese, to accurately track direction
• Now it’s time to watch a film on the Age of Exploration!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpXRvfdy9VE
• Check it out, he’s even more energetic about History than I am!!! It’s
AWESOME!!!!!! 
PORTUGUESE EXPLORATION
• Prince Henry the Navigator establishes navigational school
• Portugal is the first European nation to trade along Western coast of Africa
• Traded in gold, ivory, slaves
• Believed to reach Asia by sea, must sail around tip of Africa
• Bartolomeu Dias sails around Cape of Good Hope
PORTUGUESE EXPLORATION CONTINUED
• After Dias success around Cape of Good Hope, Vasco de Gama begins
exploring East Coast of Africa
• In 1498 de Gama reaches Southwestern part of India
• Voyage brought home cargo worth 60 times the cost of the trip
• Portugal now has direct route to India
PORTUGUESE TRADING EMPIRE
• As these trading outposts open, fighting does as well
• Take control of spice trade from Muslim traders
• Build a port connecting Persian Gulf with Arabian Sea
• Prevents Muslim traders from reaching India
• In 1510 capture Goa in West India and make it the capital of their trading
empire
PORTUGAL TRADING EMPIRE
• In 1511 capture Strait of Malacca
• Gain control over the “Spice Islands”
• Afonso de Albuquerque helps break Italian-Arab control of Asian trade
• Portuguese goods cost 1/5th the price of Italian goods
• More people can afford them
• Now other countries want in on the game
SPAIN MAKES IT’S MOVE
• Spain, envious of its neighbor, begins its sea exploration
• Wants a direct route to Asia to compete with Portugal
• In 1492, Christopher Columbus convinces Spanish monarchs to pay for a
voyage to reach India by sailing west from Spain
• Columbus reaches the Caribbean in October and mistakenly thinks he has
reached East India
IMPACT OF COLUMBUS
• Columbus has opened the door for European colonization of the Americas
• Spain and Portugal have increased tensions
• Portugal thinks Columbus claimed lands for Spain that Portugal had reached
first
PORTUGUESE/SPANISH TENSION
• Pope Alexander VI creates the Line of Demarcation to split the world
• All lands to west of the line would be Spain’s, all lands to east would be Portugal’s
• Line later moved further west to include parts of Brazil for Portugal
• In 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas signed by Portugal and Spain that they
would agree to honor the terms of Line of Demarcation
OTHER SPANISH ADVENTURES
• Ferdinand Magellan sails west with 250 men and five ships
• Magellan arrives in Philippines in 1521 and claims them for Spain
• Magellan killed in local war
• Settling begins in 1565
• Magellan’s crew returns in 1522 after three years at sea
• 18 men and 1 ship ---- first persons to truly circumnavigate the globe
OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS GET IN THE MIX
• The Dutch and English begin to challenge Portugal around the 1600s
• The Dutch owned the largest fleet in the world --- 20,000 vessels
• Both England and Netherlands form East India Companies
• Dutch East India Company was richer and more powerful than England’s
• Eventually the Dutch drive Portugal and England out of the Asian region
• English East India Company shifts it’s focus to India
THE DUTCH EXPAND INTO CHINA
• The Dutch traders managed to open trade with China which brought them
porcelain, linens, and tea
• By 1800, tea makes up 80% of all shipments to Europe
• The Dutch were willing to abide by Chinese rules in order to trade
• Kowtow, special ports, pay tribute
• English were not willing, and thus the emperor wouldn’t allow for British trade
LET’S REVIEW!!
• Portugal
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First European country to explore (W Africa, E Africa, India)
Prince Henry the Navigator creates navigational school
They get control of Spice Islands
They end dominance of Italy/Muslim traders of Asian goods
Famous explorers, Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco de Gama
Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas (east of line)
LET’S REVIEW!!
• Spain
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Jealous of Portugal’s success and wealth, begin their own exploration
Seek a new route to Asia by going west
Find the Americas, think it’s the East Indies
Famous explorers, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan
Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas (west of line)
LET’S REVIEW!!
• England
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Try to get foothold in Asian trade
Establish English East India Trading Company
Get barred from China and turn attention to India
Look to go to Americas
LET’S REVIEW!!
• The Netherlands
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Have largest fleet in the world (20,000 vessels)
Have large powerful East India Trading Company
Kick Portugal and England out of Asia (China)
Major trading partner is China
Bring porcelain and tea back to Europe
Tea becomes Europe’s major import by 1800
QUESTIONS???
• What were the main reasons driving Europeans to explore??
• Who were the major players (nations)??
• What allowed for the exploration??
QUESTIONS
• Who were the main explorers and what did each accomplish??
• What was the main impact of these exploration efforts??
• What do you think is the MOST important event so far during the Age of
Exploration?? Why??