Download Age of Exploration

Age of Exploration
1400s-1700s
Foundations of Exploration
• Renaissance spirit of discovery and innovation
sparked European interest in voyages of
discovery.
• Search of Wealth
– Northern Europeans were sick of paying high Italian
prices
• Fame and Glory
• Spread Religion
• Curiosity
Foundations of Exploration:
Technology
• Compass and Astrolabe from China and the
Middle East
• Deep-draft ships
• Caravel
– Lateen Sails
Portugal and Spain: Geographically
lucky?
Explorers: Portugal
• Henry the Navigator
– Goal to find water route around Africa to Asia
• Bartolomeu Dias
– First European to attempt to sail around Africa
• Vasco da Gama
– First European to sail around Africa to India
• Pedro Cabral
– Sailed far West to catch good winds, saw and
claimed the land today known as Brazil
Explorers: Spain
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
• Christopher Columbus
– Sail west around the world from Spain to reach China
– Believed he reached India, called native Indians.
• Error was only discovered in 1502 by Amerigo Vespucci
• Vasco Nunez de Balboa
– 1513 discovered the Isthmus of Panama
– First to see Pacific Ocean
• Ferdinand Magellen
– 1519- Left Spain with 5 Ships and 250
– Magellen was killed in the Philippines, only 18 men
returned in 1522
– Read pg. 474 “An Explorers Journal” TPS
New Patterns of Trade:
• Columbian Exchange
– Exchange of plants, animals and disease between
natives and European explorers
Mercantilism: “A nations strength depends on its
wealth (measured by gold and silver).”
• Only a fixed amount of wealth in the world and
nations must compete for it
• Countries should limit imports and maximize
exports
• Countries should have their own source of raw
materials to avoid dependence on others.
• Colonies only exist as a way for the mother
country to make money.
• Colonies can only trade with the mother country.
– Pg. 485 Read “Two Sources on Colonies” TPS
Rise of Capitalism
• What is capitalism?
• Joint-Stock Companies:
– International trade was expensive
– Investors pool their money to fund large businesses
– Investors buy shares of stock in a company. When
there is profit, each shareholder receives a portion of
that profit. It also works the other way around.
• Example: British East India Company
• What are the similarities and differences between
Mercantilism and Capitalism?