Chapter 3 Section 1 Notes
I. Many factors encourage exploration
A. Until the 1400’s Europeans had neither the interest nor the ability to explore foreign lands. However, the desire to grow rich and to spread Christianity, coupled with advances in sailing technology, spurred an age of European exploration.
B. Europeans seek greater wealth
i. The main reason for European exploration was a desire for new resources.
ii. They acquired new products such as spices and other luxury goods from Asia. Items such as nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper.
C. The spread of Christianity- In light of the Crusades, many wanted to spread the ideas of Christianity.
D. Technological Advances- A new ship called the caravel allowed sailors to sail against the wind and they were more sturdy than earlier vessels.
II. Portugal Leads the Way
A. The leader in developing and applying new sailing innovations were the Portuguese.
B. The Portuguese Explore Africa- They take the lead in sea exploration mainly due to strong government support from Prince Henry.
i. He founded a navigation school on the southwestern coast of Portugal. Mapmakers, instrument makers, shipbuilders, scientists, and sea captains gathered them to perfect their trade.
ii. By the time of his death they were trading with Africa for gold and ivory. Also captives to be used as slaves.
C. Portuguese Sailors Reach Asia- They knew in order to reach Asia they would have to sail around the tip of Africa.
i. Bartolomeu Dias reached the tip of Africa but stopped due to a terrible storm that they battled for days. However, he proved that there was a way to reach India and Asia.
ii. Vasco da Gama- He continued what Dias started by reaching the port of Calicut, on the southwestern coast of India. There he was amazed to find precious gems and rare silks in their shops.
iii. Portugal now had a direct route to India.
D. Spanish Claims- Spain and Portugal fight over exploration.
i. Christopher Columbus- In 1492 he convinced Spain to finance a bold plan: to find a route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. He did not reach Asia, but instead, an island in the Caribbean. This would open the doors to European colonization of the American continents. This increased tensions between the two.
ii. Pope Alexander VI stepped in to keep peace between the two nations. He suggested an imaginary dividing line, drawn north to south through the Atlantic Ocean. All lands to the west of the line, known as the Line of Demarcation, would be Spain’s. All lands to the east of the line would belong to Portugal.
1. Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Terdesillas, in which they agreed to honor the line. This really started the age of exploration and colonization.
III. Trading Empires in the Indian Ocean
A. Portugal’s Trading Empire- They build an empire throughout the Indian Ocean. They go farther and capture the East Indies. Then they seized control of the Strait of Malacca; an area of islands so rich in spices that they became known as the Spice Islands.
B. Other Nations Drive Out the Portuguese- The English began to challenge Portugal’s dominance over the Indian Ocean Trade, as well as the Dutch. The Dutch declared their independence from Spain and established the Dutch Republic.
C. By 1600 the Dutch was the leading sea power, with the largest fleet of ships in the world- 20,000 vessels.