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The Age of Exploration 1400s – 1700s 2009 - 2010 Essential Questions 1. Why did the Europeans explore the western hemisphere? Reasons Curiosity The 3 G’s – God – Gold – Glory Curiosity The Renaissance, a resurgence of learning and art was winding down. However, many European rulers were still curious about the world outside their borders. God Most explorative countries were Catholic eager to convert any natives to their religion. These countries included: – Spain – Portugal – Italy Spain Spain had recently united under two rulers (Ferdinand and Isabella), bringing Spain completely together for the first time in history. Also, they just kicked out the last Muslim invaders, Jews and other non-Catholics and were looking to party by finding new lands & impressing the Pope even more. Portugal Spain’s little brother wanted to gain favor with the Pope, as well. Italy Didn’t want to lose their favored status with the Pope after providing the Vatican with a lot of art throughout the Renaissance. Gold China had a lot of stuff people wanted to buy and sell. Spices, silks, etc. The fall of Constantinople had just cut off a main trade route to China. You find a way there, you own that route. Others have to find their own path or pay you for your knowledge. You get money (gold) either way!! Silk Road Glory Who didn’t want to sail around the world, find new lands, battle dangerous and wild savages, gather gold and other exotic stuff, bring it back to your king and be declared a hero? Paths to China In order of who found a route to China, they are: – – – – Venice Portugal Spain England, France Venice Found the first route to Asia by sailing east across the Mediterranean Sea, then hoofing it across land to China. They call dibs on this route. (Silk Road map) Its expensive to use Venetian merchants to purchase stuff. Other countries try to find cheaper routes. Portugal Portugal has a great sailing tradition and is among the leaders in early exploration. They sailed south around Africa, into the Indian Ocean, then finally into the “Indies” Spain Fresh off its defeat of the Muslims in 1492, is persuaded by Columbus to try something different and sail west, instead of east, to Asia. Mistakenly lands in Americas, thinks its Asia, and voila, new route to China. (In reality, a whole new unknown continent, they’ll figure it out later) England and France They sail west as well, but aim higher on the map to avoid Spain and Portugal. This is why we speak English, and parts of Canada speak French. First come, first served!! Northwest Passage Columbian Exchange Goods, plants, animals, and diseases were sent back and forth from the Old World to the New World From the New World to the Old World Corn, chocolate, horse, potato, vanilla, etc Mercantilism 1. Get more gold than everybody else 2. Export more than you import 3. Colonies give you free raw materials from which you can make finished products and sell them to others for gold