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European Exploration Motives and new Technology 1400-1600 Introduction • Europe’s inspiration for trading came during the Crusades. The European Christians saw the splendors, advancements, and connections the Muslims had with others areas of the world. • New technology was mostly of foreign influence, such as the Chinese compass and the Arab astrolabe. • These innovations and improvements allowed European powers to pursue their main objectives in exploration; profits and Christian converts. Reasons for Exploration – The 3 G’s • God – spread of Christianity • Goods – to trade and become wealthy (gold and spices) • Glory– explorers were seen as heroes if they discovered new lands Main countries involved in exploration: Portugal, Spain, England, France Portugal begins the push 13th Century Portugal was a relatively poor land in need of outside resources Portuguese mariners began pushing out into the Atlantic and found islands that would support Europe’s demand for sugar production By the 15th Century, Portuguese mariners were working with Italian entrepreneurs to establish sugar plantations Motives: Trade The collapse of the Mongol Empire and the spread of the bubonic plague had made overland travel on the Silk Roads more dangerous than before Motives: Trade Muslim mariners brought Asian goods to Cairo where Italian merchants purchased them for distribution in western Europe Europeans wanted more and cheaper Asian goods, especially spices Began seeking maritime trade routes directly to Asia which would cut out the Muslim middlemen Likewise maritime access to Africa would provide the gold, ivory, and slaves the Europeans wanted without having to go through Muslim merchants Motives: Missionary The New Testament commands Christians to spread the Gospel Some missionary efforts were peaceful such as Franciscan and Dominican travels to India, central Asia, and China Others were violent such as crusades against Muslims in Palestine, the Mediterranean, and Iberia European Explorations: Technology Ships Instruments Winds and currents Sternpost rudder Back staff Technology: Ships European sailors began constructing ships strong enough to withstand adverse conditions The sternpost rudder increased maneuverability Ships began using two sails A square one to catch a wind blowing from behind and a triangular lateen one to catch winds from the side and behind With both sails European ships could tack (advance against the wind by sailing across it) Tacking Ships: Carrack • Mizzen mast with triangular lateen sail placed toward stern of vessel • Small square-rigged mast placed to fore of main mast • Massive ribbed skeleton • 2-3 decks, enclosed structures at bow and stern • Sternpost rudder • Example: Santa Maria Ships: Caravel • Portuguese developed the caravel which was an advanced ship that combined the square sails of European ship with Arab triangular sails. • About 30 meters long; Maximum capacity: 130 tons • Axled rudder • Examples: Nina and Pinta Examples of Caravel Ship – Nina and Pinta In 1492, Columbus sailed from Spain with three ships. Two of the ships, the Niña and the Pinta were small caravels. The third ship, the Santa Maria, was a larger type of ship, a carrack, and was captained by Columbus. The ships were from 15 to 36 meters long. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/columbus.shtml Technology: Instruments Magnetic compasses used to determine direction Cross staffs and back staffs allowed mariners to determine latitude by measuring the angle of the sun or pole star above the horizon The ability to determine direction and latitude allowed mariners to accumulate data for mapping and to navigate with accuracy and efficiency Technology: Astrolabe An astronomical instrument used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers It has many uses: locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa. http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/25100/25161/astrolabe2_25161.htm Technology: Winds and Currents In the Atlantic and Pacific, strong winds blow regularly to create “wind wheels” To the north, prevailing winds cause “westerlies” Further south, they cause the “Northeast trades” In the Indian Ocean, there are also regular patterns In the summer, monsoon winds blow from the southeast In the winter, they blow from the northwest Technology: Winds and Currents Understanding these patterns allowed mariners to take advantage of prevailing winds and currents to sail almost anywhere By the mid-15th Century, Portuguese mariners had developed a strategy called volta do mar (“return through the sea”) Technology: Winds and Currents Returning home they sailed northwest into the open ocean until they found westerly winds and then turned east for the last leg It was a longer but faster, safer, and more reliable way to travel The Gulf Stream Discovery of fine goods in the East Marco Polo – Spent 24 years in China, brought back fascinating tales. Eastern goods sought after by Europeans. Trade Routes Italy dominated trade overland: Merchants became very wealthy Had good relationship w/ Muslims Controlled the Mediterranean sea Trade Routes (Cont.) Portuguese wanted in on Eastern trade: Goal = find water route to Asia Best sailors – invented Caravel (triangular sails allowed ship to sail into the wind) Bartolomeu Dias – first sailor to reach the tip of Africa Vasco de Gama – followed Dias’s route, sailed to India Portugal found all water route & became rich Bartolomeu Dias at the cape of good Hope Vasco de Gama Trade Routes (Cont.) Spain (Portugal's neighbor) also wanted in on trade. Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand took a risk and financed Columbus’s voyage. Christopher Columbus Columbus thought he would find a faster route to Asia by sailing directly West. Found the Americas instead Spain would became very rich King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain Mercantilism European countries sought raw goods: gold, silver, sugar, etc. As colonies developed, provided a market for manufactured goods. Goal of Mercantilism = acquire colonies & make Mother Country very rich through favorable balance of trade. Empire Building Spanish Conquistadors: Sought Gold for Spain Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztecs of Mexico. Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas of Peru. Spanish Explorers European Rivalries Fight over North America: Spain claimed the Americas French & English sailors looking for Northwest passage claimed lands in N. America Religious Conflicts: Spain = Catholic England = Protestant Protestant & Catholic = bad combination VS Spain Britain (England) European Rivalries (Cont.) Spain & England Clash: England’s Queen Elizabeth sent Sea Dogs like Francis Drake to steal Spanish treasure. Spanish King enraged; sent Spanish Armada to conquer England & restore Catholicism England defeats Spain Spain never as powerful Other nations started challenging Spain Queen Elizabeth Sir Francis Drake Works Cited http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/colu mbus.shtml http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_an_astrolabe_important _to_exploration http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/ship. html http://www.teachingushistory.org/lessons/age_of_exploratio n.html http://www.alibaba.com/productfree/113196931/Santa_Maria_Ship_Model.html