Download New World

LEARNING GOAL 4: ANALYZE THE
CAUSES OF EUROPEAN
EXPLORATION AND DESCRIBE HOW
NEW ECONOMIC IDEAS CONTRIBUTED
TO EUROPE’S
EUROPEAN EXPLORATION
Causes
• The Crusades =more contact and interest in nonEuropean civilizations; specifically India, the Spice
Islands (Mouluccas) , and China.
• The Portuguese =1st to attempt a more direct route to
India without using Ottoman middlemen.
• Spanish (led by Columbus) look for a different route as
well discover the Americas (New World).
• (don’t write) Most people figured that the Earth was so
big, Columbus would starve before he ever reached
China. Columbus believed Earth was small, and he’d
be fine.
Effects
• Portugal built a trading empire in Indian Ocean
(&Brazil)
• Spain conquered in the New World.
• Trade in Africa shifted from Trans-Saharan to TransAtlantic with growth of slave trade
EUROPEAN EXPANSION
Causes
• Desired wealth from the Indian Ocean Trade complex
• 3G’s - God, Gold, Glory- (spread religion, want $$$,
and want power)
• Advances in navigation, ship-building and use of
gunpowder weapons
Why?
 Europeans wanted to find a way to establish a direct trade
route with India and the East so they can buy spices and
silks without having to pay Muslim middle-men (Ottomans)
for it.

$10
$5
CAUSES --MORE
•
•
•
•
•
Wealth of European monarchs to sponsor exploration
↓Chinese exploration allowed for ↑Europeans to take
the forefront
According to mercantilism economic theory,
Europeans colonies =political pwr and econ. wealth.
Asian goods (pepper, ginger, cloves and nutmeg )were
$$$$$$$$, so Europeans wanted direct access to these
products and the trade routes.
Acquisition of knowledge from the Muslims and
Chinese
• EX. sternpost rudder, triangular lateen sail,
magnetic compass, astrolabe and gunpowder
Effects
▲trading network: colonial raw materials shipped to
Europe, manufactured goods shipped to Africa, and
slaves shipped to the Americas.
 RISE of European power worldwide
 Competition in European powers
 Growth of West African kingdoms (trading slaves for
guns)
 Growth of capitalism ($$$$$ wealth became important
not just land ownership)
 Growth of a European middle class & commercial
revolution in Europe
 Trans-Atlantic slave trade provided labor in “New
World”

EFFECTS CONT….
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Decimation of indigenous populations in “New World”
by disease and war
Alteration of “New World” Cultures - religion, art,
music with introduction of African slaves and
European influences
Spread of European culture languages, customs &
Christianity
↑population in Europe supported by introduction of
food like potatoes in Columbian Exchange
Spread of guns, print materials, and scientific
knowledge
Europeans controlled transport of goods & key ports
in Indian Ocean trade complex
Global trade network developed
INCA AND AZTEC EMPIRES IMPACTED BY
EUROPEAN EXPLORATION/COLONIZATION
•
•
•
The greatest impact of European exploration and
colonization was the decimation of the Aztec and
Incan populations -- succumbed to disease.
Europeans colonizers created a forced labor system,
(encomienda ) which was a way of forcing Native
Americans to work as slaves.
Eventually the Catholic clergy protested against
the cruelty of the system.
THE GREAT AGE OF EXPLORATION:
PART TWO

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?g
uidAssetId=198D75B6-6641-41B2-83D30AF941BD532F
Write in your notebook pg 65:
 Overall, do you think the Age of Exploration had
a more positive or a more negative impact on the
world as a whole? Why?”
