An Age of Explorations and Isolation Chapter 19

An Age of Explorations and Isolation Chapter 19

Chapter 19 -Section 1 Europeans Explore the East

For “God, Glory, and Gold” • Reasons for European Exploration– The desire for new sources of wealth (main reason) – Spread Christianity – Advances in sailing technology

For “God, Glory, and Gold” • Europeans Seek New Trade Routes– The crusades had increased the desires for spices and other luxury goods – Demand was high for spices like nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper so merchants could charge high prices – Muslims and Italians controlled the trade routes East to West • So European nations wanted to find a new route to Asia

European Trade Routes

For “God, Glory, and Gold” • The Spread of Christianity– The Crusades left many feeling that they had a sacred duty to continue fighting Muslims and convert non. Christians – Bartolomeu Dias-Portuguese Explorer • Wanted to “give light to those in darkness” and grow rich like all men desire

For “God, Glory, and Gold” • Advances in Technology– Caravel-New type of ship designed in the 1400’s that allowed sailors to sail against the wind b/c of triangle shaped sails – Sailors also used astrolabe, and magnetic compass

Portugal Leads the Way • Portugal– Leader in developing and applying sailing innovations • First country to establish trading posts on the west coast of Africa • Prince Henry-Portugal’s most enthusiastic supporter of exploration – Helped conquer the Muslim city of Ceuta in 1415 • Brought back gold, silver, jewels, and spices

Portugal Leads the Way • Vasco da Gama– Portuguese Explorer who reached the port of Calicut, India in 1498 • The cargo which included pepper and cinnamon was worth 60 times the cost of the voyage • This 27, 000 mile voyage gave Portugal direct access to India

Spain also Makes Claims • 1492 -Christopher Columbus – Convinced Spain to finance a voyage going west across the Atlantic to reach India • Reached the Caribbean and thought it was the East Indies – Opened the door for new exploration – Increased tensions between Spain and Portugal

Spain also Makes Claims • Treaty of Tordesillas– Treaty in which Spain and Portugal agreed to split territories in the Atlantic based on the imaginary line drawn by Pope Alexander VI • All lands west of the line belonged Spain all lands east belonged to Portugal

Trading Empire in the Indian Ocean • Portugal’s Trading Empire– The Portuguese took over the Muslim spice trade in the early 1500’s – 1510 -Portugese captured the port city of Goa on India’s west coast • This became the capital of their trading empire – The Portuguese after bypassing the Muslim -Italian domination over Asia could bring back goods for 1/5 of the previous price

Trading Empire in the Indian Ocean • Other Nations Challenge the Portuguese– The English and Dutch began to Challenge Portugal's dominance • By 1600 the Dutch had nearly 20, 000 ships • The Dutch East India Company– The most powerful trading company of its time • In addition to conducting trade they printed money, made treaties, and created their own army

Trading Empire in the Indian Ocean • British and French Traders– English East India Company • Focused on trading outposts in India – Mainly traded Indian cloth – France tried to create it’s own East India company but was never really successful