Europeans Explore the East

1400-1800

Chapter 3Section 1

Main IdeasEconomics fueled the age of exploration,

and the consequences included worldwide interaction among people of many cultures.

The voyages of Columbus prompted a worldwide exchange of everything from religious and political ideas to new foods and plants.

For “God, Glory & Gold”Prior to 1400:

Exploration was rare.Most Europeans did not have much

interest or the technology to explore.Due to Renaissance ideas,

Europeans felt a desire to explore the world.

Main reasons for exploration after 1400: the desire to find new sources of wealth and spread Christianity.

Sailing advancements also played a role.

Europeans Seek New Trade RoutesAfter being introduced to spices and

luxuries from Asia, Europeans kept demanding more.

Supply and demand: What do you think happened to the prices?

Eliminating the Middle ManMuslims & Italians controlled

trade area from East to West.Muslims sold goods to Italians. Italians controlled area around

the Mediterranean Sea.Italians sold goods to

merchants at high prices. → decreased merchants’ profits.

Solution? Find a sea route directly to Asia to bypass Italian merchants.

Technology Makes Exploration PossibleBefore the 1400s,

European ships could not sail against the wind.Problems?

Solution: Development of a caravel with triangular sails.

Navigational techniques improved.Astrolabe – allowed captains

to calculate latitude.Magnetic compass – track

direction.

The PortugueseExplore AfricaPortugal was the leader in development and

application of sailing innovations.Prince Henry helped conquer Muslim cities.Founded a navigation school.Established trade posts along western shore of

Africa.Why?

Eventually traded for African slaves.Next move? Trade route to Asia.

Portuguese Sailors Reach Asia

To reach Asia, Portuguese would have to go around the southern tip of Africa.

1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded tip (Cape of Good Hope) and explored the southeast coast.Food supply low – turned around.

Vasco da Gama1497, Vasco da Gama began

exploring the east coast.1498, reached India (27,000

miles away).Spices, rare silks, precious gems.

Returned to Portugal with pepper & cinnamon.Their cargo was worth 60 times

the cost of the voyage!Significance? Direct sea route

to India.

Spain Also Makes ClaimsSpain was getting

envious of Portugal.1492, Christopher

Columbus’ idea?Reach Asia by sailing west

across Atlantic.What actually happened?

Spain financed his plan.Reached a Caribbean

island but thought it was the East Indies.

Was he a complete failure?

ColumbusHis mistake would lead to the colonization

of the Americas.Portuguese believed Columbus had reached

Asia.Ever wondered why Native Americans were

called Indians?Portuguese also felt that Columbus claimed

land for Spain that was already Portugal’s.

Spain/Portugal Solution?1493, Pope Alexander, IV

suggested:Line of Demarcation – imaginary line

drawn from north to south across the Atlantic

Purpose? – Everything west of line would be Spain’s; everything east of line would be Portugal’s. Line shifted to give modern-day Brazil to

Portugal.Signed the Treaty of Tordesillas –

agreeing to honor the line. Helped decrease conflict over the claiming

of new lands.

Trading Empires in the Indian OceanDa Gama’s voyage led to:

Direct sea trade with AsiaViolent conflict with the EastEuropeans scrambled to establish trade

routes along coasts of Africa.Battling region’s inhabitants and each other.

The DutchBy 1600, they owned 20,000

vessels (the most in the world).The Dutch and English pushed

out Portugal as a leader in the Asian region.Then they battled each other.

They both had formed an East India Company to establish a direct trade throughout Asia.Minted money, made treaties and

raised their own armies.Who won? The Dutch