Chapter 2 Europe in the Age of Exploration

From the 1400s to the 1700s, Europe experienced an “Age of Exploration” As a result of exploration, European nations grew powerful & spread their influence throughout the world The Renaissance encouraged curiosity & a desire for trade Motivations Motivations: Why did Europeans want to explore?

The Age of Exploration Who were the explorers, where did they go, & how did they change world history?

Mediterranean Trade and European Expansion Discovery of New Trade Routes and New Lands Bubonic Plague (Black Death) European Exploration

Columbus’ Encounter Oct Columbus lands in the West Indies Encounters Native Americans Initial relations between Spanish and Native Americans were friendly This changed when the Spanish tried to exploit Native Americans and their lands for profit

God European Christians, especially Catholics, wanted to stop the spread of Islam & convert non-Christians to the faith Explorers were encouraged to spread Christianity or bring missionaries who would focus only on conversions

Glory The Renaissance inspired new possibilities for power & prestige Exploration presented Europeans the opportunity to rise from poverty and gain fame, fortune, & status Kings who sponsored voyages of exploration gained overseas colonies, new sources of wealth for their nation, & increased power

The Spanish government saw Portugal’s wealth & did not want to be left out More than any other European monarch, Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain sponsored & supported overseas expeditions

Christopher Columbus Queen Isabella and King San Salvador and the Tainos Treaty of Tordesillas Further Exploration after Columbus Ferdinand Magellan Columbian Exchange

During the Age of Exploration, Spain created colonies in North & South America

Spain sent explorers called conquistadors to the New World to find gold, claim land, & spread Christianity Cortez conquered the Aztecs Pizarro conquered the Inca The influx of gold from America made Spain the most powerful country in Europe during the early years of the Age of Exploration

Spanish Exploration and Conquest of Mexico Hernán Cortés Emperor Montezuma and the Riches of Tenochtitlán Cortes Invades and Conquers Mexica Tales of Wealth—Spanish conquistadors Francisco Pizarro de Soto, Coronado, and Cabrillo

Conquistadors Hernan Cortez Explored Mexico Conquered the Aztec Empire in 1519

New Spain in the Sixteenth Century New Spain and Spanish Domination of the Western Hemisphere The “Royal Fifth” and the System of Encomienda Repartimiento replaces Encomienda Intermarriage Creates Sharp Social Hierarchy

A Century of Portuguese Exploration Reconquest Prince Henry the Navigator Caravel Discovery of New Sea Route to Asia

Portugal was the early leader in the Age of Exploration In Portugal, Prince Henry the Navigator started a school of navigation to train sailors He brought in Europe’s best map-makers, ship-builders, & sailing instructors He wanted to discover new territories, find a quick trade route to Asia, & expand Portugal’s power

Unlike other European nations whose kings paid for colonies, the English colonies were paid for by citizens who formed joint-stock companies English colonies formed along the Atlantic Coast of North America by colonists motivated either by religion or wealth

The Toll of Spanish Conquest and Colonization Demoralization of Indian Society-By 1560, Indian civilizations had been conquered, their leaders overthrown, their religion held in contempt, and their people forced to work for Spaniards. Virulent Epidemics-Indians had no immunity to measles, smallpox, and respiratory illnesses; by 1570, the Indian population of New Spain had fallen about 90 percent from what it was when Columbus arrived Labor Shortage and the Importation of African Slaves —Indian deaths depleted the labor supply; in response, colonists began to import African slave

Encomienda System Forced Native Americans to pay tribute or provide labor to Spanish landowners Disease and overwork killed large numbers of Native Americans Led Spanish to start bringing slaves from Africa to work plantations

PeninsularesPeninsulares CreolesCreoles MestizosMestizosMulattosMulattos Native Indians Black Slaves Based on Blood and birth location Granted land, political office and voting rts Inherit land, still considered upper class No inheritance Lowest of the middle class No rights whatsoever

Spanish Class Structure in the Americas Peninsulares People born in Spain; owned the land; ran gov’t Creoles Born to Spanish parents in the Americas Mesitzos & Mulattoes People with Spanish and Indian/African parents Native Americans & Enslaved Africans

The Protestant Reformation and the Spanish Response Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation-Luther publicized his criticisms of the Catholic Church in he preached a doctrine known as “justification by faith”: Christians could only obtain salvation by having faith in God. New Spain’s Effect on the Spanish Economy-New Spain’s wealth made Spain rich and powerful, but the monarchs’ expenses for constant warfare outstripped their revenues; they raised taxes, exempting the nobility and therefore putting the burden of taxation of the poor

Europe and the Spanish Example Expansion of European Influence-Spain’s New World conquests demonstrated to other Europeans that the New World and its people could be used to expand European wealth and influence.