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