European Exploration

By the fifteenth century, Europeans were aware of places as distant as Africa, India and China. However, they had no idea of the existence of the Americas. Yet by 1650, most of the Atlantic coastline of the Americas would be under the control of European powers. Europe Explores the “New World”

Why did Europeans begin to explore the world during the 15th and 16 th centuries?

Curiosity Wanted to know “what was really out there” Wanted to know “what was really out there” During the Renaissance period, people became more educated and curious about the world During the Renaissance period, people became more educated and curious about the world Started asking questions Started asking questions

Economic Reasons Wealth (Gold) People were seeing new wealth from investment and trade. People were seeing new wealth from investment and trade. European countries hoped to increase their profits through exploration. European countries hoped to increase their profits through exploration.

Political Reasons Fame & Glory With fame came wealth which motivated explorers and the monarchs who funded them. With fame came wealth which motivated explorers and the monarchs who funded them.

Political Reasons National Pride & Glory In the early 15 th century countries in Europe (Spain, France, Portugal, England, & Netherlands) hoped to extend their influence through exploration. In the early 15 th century countries in Europe (Spain, France, Portugal, England, & Netherlands) hoped to extend their influence through exploration. LAND = WEALTH = POWER LAND = WEALTH = POWER Spain, France, & England constantly fought wars to control the most land Spain, France, & England constantly fought wars to control the most land

Religious Reasons Religion & God European missionaries, especially from Spain and Portugal, sought to spread the Christian religion. European missionaries, especially from Spain and Portugal, sought to spread the Christian religion. Christian missionaries believed they not only have a superior religion, but also a superior culture. Christian missionaries believed they not only have a superior religion, but also a superior culture.

Foreign Goods Marco Polo wrote of what he found in China – silks, spices, jewels, and gold. Polo’s writings encouraged an increase in trade.

Better Trade Routes European merchants and rulers were anxious to find a sea route to reach China and the Spice Islands of the East Indies. This would allow European merchants to ship these luxury goods more easily back to Europe. Traveling by land was slow, expensive, and dangerous Columbus believed he could travel west across the ocean and reach Asia (up to this point everyone had traveled east, never west).

Spain, France and England were ready to claim land in the Americas.

Reasons For European Colonization (Gold, Glory & God) NationPurpose Spain Spread Religion, Gain Wealth, Expand Empire France Fur Trade, Expansion England Religious Freedom, Economic Opportunity

Italian sea captain, Christopher Columbus found support for his voyage from the King and Queen of Spain. Columbus was looking for a faster route to the Indies to – –find gold, jewels and spices – –possibly convert heathens to Christianity   Heathen - an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody who does not acknowledge the God of the Bible, Torah, or Koran

  Columbus set sail in   He never reached Asia, but instead landed in the West Indies, where he established Spain’s first settlements in what became known as the “New World.”

The “Columbian Exchange” Columbian Exchange – The exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres that occurred after Europeans learned about new foods, such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and chocolate from the Americas. Europeans introduced the Americas to sugar, wheat, oranges, grapes and onions.

The “Columbian Exchange” Europeans also introduced many new animals to the Western Hemisphere, including horses, sheep, goats, cows, cats, and rats. The Americas exposure to the Europeans also brought diseases like smallpox, typhus, cholera, and measles. Approx. 2 to 18 million Native Americans died from European diseases since they had no immunity.

The “Columbian Exchange”

A conclusion best supported by this illustration is that the Columbian Exchange (1) increased the isolation between Europe and the Americas (2) ended the slave trade in the Eastern Hemisphere (3) led to the spread of disease to the natives of the Americas (4) resulted in a decrease in trade between North America and Europe