Age of Exploration Review
SOL WHII.4, 5e
Reasons for Exploration
People
Economic Practices
Social and Cultural Patterns
Terms
The Crusades exposed Europe to Asian goods and increased the demand for these goods. When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, European nations needed new trade routes to Asia. The European nations on the Atlantic began to explore to establish new maritime trade routes in the eastern and eventually western hemispheres.
Reasons for Exploration:
· Gold, Glory, God-Europeans wanted the riches of Asia. They wanted to become famous and discover new places. They wanted to spread the Christian religion.
· European nations were in competition to become the political and economic leaders in Europe
· There were Islamic and European innovations in navigation which made exploration possible.
· Europeans spread their faith, language and culture to the new lands they settled. Both Protestants and Catholics tried to convert indigenous people. Many Protestants came to America for religious freedom.
Prince Henry the Navigator-established a navigation school in Portugal. Earliest exploration attempts were sponsored by him.
Vasco da Gama- explored the coast of Africa and India for Portugal.
Christopher Columbus- explored/ “discovered” the New World for Spain
Hernando Cortez- explored Mexico for Spain. defeated the Aztecs
Francisco Pizarro- conquered the Incas for Spain
Ferdinand Magellan- his expedition sponsored by Spain was the first to circumnavigate the world
Francis Drake- first explorer to circumnavigate the world. Sailed for England
Jacques Cartier- explored and claimed Canada for France
Columbian Exchange-American products such as corn, potatoes, & tobacco changed European lifestyles. European horses and cattle changed American Indian (First American) lifestyles. Many European diseases, like smallpox killed indigenous populations.
Impact of Exchange-
· shortage of labor for cash crops in New World led to use of African slaves. Slavery was based on race
· plantation system in Caribbean and Americas destroyed indigenous economies and damaged the environment
Triangular Trade--trade pattern between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Slaves, rum and sugar were traded.
Precious metals-gold & silver were exported to Europe and Asia. Caused great inflation in Spain & Europe. Indigenous empires lost their wealth.
Commercial Revolution-European nations competed for wealth, markets, and raw materials. New money and banking systems were created. Mercantilism evolved. Colonial economies were limited by the needs of the mother country.
Americas- Europeans emigrated to North and South America. Where depended on what areas their nations claimed.
· The Aztec, Mayan, and Incan empires fell to the Spanish
· The Spanish left a legacy of a rigid class system and dictatorial rule in Latin America
· Some Africans were forced into migration and slavery
· Colonies imitated the culture and social patterns of their parent country
Africa- Europeans established trading posts along the eastern and western coasts. There was an active trade in slaves, gold and other products.
Asia- In India, the Indies, and China, small groups of merchants settled and established colonies. Trading companies controlled these areas. Some of the most active were the British East India Company (India) and the Dutch East India Company (East Indies). The Portuguese were active in India and Africa.
cash crops=Crops grown for income
Columbian Exchange-Exchange of products and resources between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Commercial Revolution-Period when new economic practices emerged
emigrate=to leave a country
Gold, Glory, God-Europeans wanted the riches of Asia. This included gold, spices, and natural resources needed for the production of goods. They wanted to become famous and discover new places. They wanted to spread the Christian religion, especially the Catholics
indigenous=native
mercantilism=An economic practice adopted by European colonial powers in an effort to become self-sufficient. Mercantilism was based on the theory that colonies existed for the benefit of the mother country.