Age of Exploration and Colonization (15th Century)

University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS HI 176 | World History 1500-Present
Academic year:

2021
Views:

303

Pages:

3
Author:

Trevon Bernard

Age of Exploration and Colonization (15th century) ● The fifteenth century to the eighteenth century was deemed the age of exploration. ● Countries wished to have a more abundant source of resources ○ This includes crops, gold, and spices ■ Also wanted to find new trading routes so that ships wouldn’t take so long to get there and back ● Most explorers were European ● The explorers wanted three things (THE THREE G’s) ○ God ■ Wanted to spread their religion ■ Spreading religion is seen as a positive thing. ■ Wanted to convert as many people possible into their religion ■ Catholics were of the most active spreaders ○ Glory ■ Wanted to be remembered as great explorers ■ Relatively new idea in Europe ■ With the invention of the printing press, people’s achievements could be remembered in writing ■ Kings wanted glory for their kingdom (gained a sense of NATIONALISM) ● Nationalism - pride in one’s country/nation ○ Gold ■ Wanted to be rich ■ Also boosted the nation’s economy ○ Also desired Spices, which can also be turned into gold Age of Exploration and Colonization (15th century) (continued) MERCANTILISM ■ Mercantilism: economic theory that aims to maximise exports and imports for economic gain ○ Other natural resources could also be treated the same way ■ This includes items not naturally found in European countries or used up resources (timber, tobacco, sugar, ivory) ● New Technologies of the period ○ Caravel ■ Faster, more efficient, and moveable ship ■ Older ships had square sails, which meant they had to go wherever the wind took them ○ Bilge pump system ■ Allowed the ship to float higher, be more efficient, and aerodynamic ■ Also made it easier to explore coasts, due to it being less likely to touch the ground ● Technologies from the Islamic culture ○ Compass, Astrolabe, maps, sextant ■ Made exploration easier How the Explorations Began ● The first main sailor was Prince Henry the Navigator (encouraged the rest) ○ Started a school for sailing ○ Combined inventions from around the world to make sailing easier ○ By his death, sailing had progressed a lot Age of Exploration and Colonization (15th century) (continued) MAJOR SAILERS ● Portugal ○ Bartolomeu Diaz (1487) ■ The first person to sail around the cape of good hope (South Africa) ■ Found a route to India for trade ■ Found that trade doesn't need to go by land ○ Vasco da Gama (1498) ■ First landed in India in 1498. ■ Found trade route to West Indies ○ Ferdinand Magellan ■ First voyage around the world ■ Found that the world was round ■ Killed in the Philippines, didn't make it home ● Spain ○ Christopher Columbus ■ Thought that he could find a shorter route to Asia for trade ● Sail west instead of around Africa ■ Found Americas and landed somewhere in the Caribbean ● Italy ○ Amerigo Vespucci ■ Says Columbus discovered a new world. German Map Makers name the continents after him ● Other Sailors sailed for fame, or to find new routes for spice trade and other material goods