The Age of The Age of ExplorationExploration

Europe Encounters the WorldEurope Encounters the World

Let’s Explore!Let’s Explore!

Why did European explorations Why did European explorations happen?happen?

►A variety of factors all came together A variety of factors all came together to make the time period (1450-1700) to make the time period (1450-1700) the “age of exploration”the “age of exploration”

►Some were pulls, others were Some were pulls, others were motivations, and sometimes they were motivations, and sometimes they were things that attracted the Europeansthings that attracted the Europeans

What is the easiest way to What is the easiest way to remember it all?remember it all?

►The Three G’s:The Three G’s: GoldGold GloryGlory GodGod

► Although a little Although a little simplistic, this simplistic, this mnemonicmnemonic is a great is a great way to remember the way to remember the main motivations of main motivations of the European the European explorers.explorers.

Early trade routes were traveled by Early trade routes were traveled by Christian Europeans to Asia.Christian Europeans to Asia.

They traveled on land occupied by They traveled on land occupied by Muslims.Muslims.

As a result of the As a result of the Crusades Crusades (Holy (Holy Wars), the Muslims cut-off trade routes Wars), the Muslims cut-off trade routes

between between Europe and Asia in 1453.Europe and Asia in 1453.

What factors were pushing What factors were pushing Europeans to explore?Europeans to explore?

► Europeans—especially Europeans—especially Spain and Portugal---Spain and Portugal---wanted to find a wanted to find a water routewater route to Asia to Asia and Africa.and Africa.

► They were upset with They were upset with the Italian merchants the Italian merchants in Venice and Genoa in Venice and Genoa who were controlling who were controlling most of the trade with most of the trade with Asia and Africa.Asia and Africa.

The First G: The First G: GoldGold► Explorers wanted actual gold, but they also Explorers wanted actual gold, but they also

wanted wanted anything that could make them anything that could make them moneymoney..

► Foreign spices were desired Foreign spices were desired because Europe because Europe had no refrigeration. Europeans wanted had no refrigeration. Europeans wanted pepper andpepper and nutmegnutmeg to season their foods. to season their foods. These spices were in the Spice Islands. These spices were in the Spice Islands. (Indonesia)(Indonesia)

►Other Other natural resources natural resources (timber, sugar, (timber, sugar, tobacco, ivory) from other continents tobacco, ivory) from other continents could could be bought and sold for a nice profit.be bought and sold for a nice profit.

Where are the Spice Islands?Where are the Spice Islands?

Where are the Spice Islands Where are the Spice Islands in relationship to Europe?in relationship to Europe?

Pass the Pass the pepperpepper, please!, please!► By the early 1500’s, Europeans came to the Spice Islands in By the early 1500’s, Europeans came to the Spice Islands in

search of search of cloves and nutmeg.cloves and nutmeg. ► They were highly valued as They were highly valued as food preservatives.food preservatives.

► Wealthy ladies used to keep spices in lockets around their Wealthy ladies used to keep spices in lockets around their necks so they could necks so they could freshen their breathfreshen their breath easily. easily.

► Gentlemen Gentlemen added nutmeg to food and drink.added nutmeg to food and drink. ► Spices were also used for Spices were also used for medicinal purposesmedicinal purposes, , especially in especially in

the relief of colic, gout, and rheumatism. the relief of colic, gout, and rheumatism.

► Such Such great demand great demand meant that the meant that the prices of nutmeg and prices of nutmeg and cloves soared. cloves soared.

► Expeditions were launched to find the source of these spices Expeditions were launched to find the source of these spices and bring them and bring them directly back to Europe. directly back to Europe.

The second G: The second G: GloryGlory► Just like the first G, Just like the first G,

gloryglory was a relatively was a relatively new idea in Europe.new idea in Europe.

► The The printing press printing press now allowed people now allowed people to get fame for their to get fame for their findings.findings.

► Kings wanted glory Kings wanted glory for their kingdoms ---for their kingdoms ---the bigger, the more the bigger, the more gloryglory..

The Triumph of Fame, a Flemish tapestry from 1502.

The third G: GodThe third G: God►Europeans had always seen spreading Europeans had always seen spreading

Christianity as their duty.Christianity as their duty.►Colonizing foreign lands allowed them Colonizing foreign lands allowed them

to convert native peoples to to convert native peoples to Christianity.Christianity.

►Spreading Christianity while killing and Spreading Christianity while killing and taking land from natives??? Does it taking land from natives??? Does it make any sense to you?make any sense to you?

How did these ocean How did these ocean explorations begin?explorations begin?

► The The first to encourage new first to encourage new ship explorations was Prince ship explorations was Prince Henry of Portugal, known as Henry of Portugal, known as ““Prince Henry the NavigatorPrince Henry the Navigator””

► Started a school for Started a school for seafaring and exploringseafaring and exploring

► Combined Islam ship Combined Islam ship technology with new technology with new European innovationsEuropean innovations

► By the time of his death in By the time of his death in 1460, Portuguese had sailed 1460, Portuguese had sailed as far south as the Gold as far south as the Gold Coast of West AfricaCoast of West Africa

What were the new technologies What were the new technologies that enabled explorations?that enabled explorations?

► The The caravelcaravel was a new, was a new, faster, more faster, more maneuverable shipmaneuverable ship

► Older ships had square Older ships had square sails but caravels had sails but caravels had triangular sails triangular sails (easier to (easier to change direction)change direction)

► Bilge pump system Bilge pump system enabled ship to float enabled ship to float higher (less likely to run higher (less likely to run aground, easier to aground, easier to explore coasts and explore coasts and rivers)rivers)

► Compass, astrolabe, Compass, astrolabe, maps maps and other and other technologies from Islamic technologies from Islamic culture all helped make culture all helped make explorations possibleexplorations possible

The European desires for wealth did not stop with the closing of the land trading The European desires for wealth did not stop with the closing of the land trading routes. They simply took another route……..by water!routes. They simply took another route……..by water!

G……G……GG……G……G►GodGod

►GloryGlory

►GoldGold