European Exploration Economic Political and Social Reasons Economic

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European Exploration Economic, Political, and Social Reasons

European Exploration Economic, Political, and Social Reasons

Economic Reasons for Exploration

Economic Reasons for Exploration

Discovery of fine goods in the East Ø Marco Polo – Spent 24 years

Discovery of fine goods in the East Ø Marco Polo – Spent 24 years in China, brought back fascinating tales. Ø Eastern goods sought after by Europeans.

Trade Routes Ø Italy dominated trade overland: l l l Merchants became very wealthy

Trade Routes Ø Italy dominated trade overland: l l l Merchants became very wealthy Had good relationship w/ Muslims Controlled the Mediterranean sea

Trade Routes (Cont. ) Ø Portuguese wanted in on Eastern trade: l l Goal

Trade Routes (Cont. ) Ø Portuguese wanted in on Eastern trade: l l 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 Ø Vasco de Gama – followed Dias’s route, sailed to India Ø Portugal found all water route & became rich Ø Bartolomeu Dias at the cape of good Hope Vasco de Gama

Trade Routes (Cont. ) Spain (Portugal's neighbor) also wanted in on trade. Ø Queen

Trade Routes (Cont. ) Spain (Portugal's neighbor) also wanted in on trade. Ø Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand took a risk and financed Columbus’s voyage. Ø Columbus thought he would find a faster route to Asia by sailing directly West. Ø Found the Americas instead Ø Spain would became very rich Ø Christopher Columbus King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain

Mercantilism Ø European countries sought raw goods: gold, silver, sugar, etc. Ø As colonies

Mercantilism Ø European countries sought raw goods: gold, silver, sugar, etc. Ø As colonies developed, provided a market for manufactured goods. Ø Goal of Mercantilism = acquire colonies & make Mother Country very rich through favorable balance of trade.

Political Reasons for Exploration

Political Reasons for Exploration

Empire Building Ø Spanish Conquistadors: l l l Sought Gold for Spain Hernando Cortez

Empire Building Ø Spanish Conquistadors: l l l Sought Gold for Spain Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztecs of Mexico. Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas of Peru.

Spanish Explorers

Spanish Explorers

European Rivalries Ø Fight over North America: l l Ø Spain claimed the Americas

European Rivalries Ø Fight over North America: l l Ø Spain claimed the Americas French & English sailors looking for Northwest passage claimed lands in N. America Religious Conflicts: l l l Spain = Catholic England = Protestant & Catholic = bad combination VS Spain Britain (England)

European Rivalries (Cont. ) Ø Spain & England Clash: l l l England’s Queen

European Rivalries (Cont. ) Ø Spain & England Clash: l l l 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 never as powerful Other nations started challenging Spain Queen Elizabeth Sir Francis Drake

Social Reasons for Exploration Religion Ideas

Social Reasons for Exploration Religion Ideas

Spreading of Ideas & Beliefs Ø Spain wanted to spread Christianity to the New

Spreading of Ideas & Beliefs Ø Spain wanted to spread Christianity to the New World Ø Set up missions to convert Native Americans Spanish Mission in San Jose, California

Religious Freedom Ø Later, Separatist groups fled Europe because of religious persecution. Ø Wanted

Religious Freedom Ø Later, Separatist groups fled Europe because of religious persecution. Ø Wanted to develop colonies in the Americas.