EXPLORATION

Voyages of Portugal The Portuguese and Spanish were the first to make voyages into unknown territory. Prince Henry was responsible for Portuguese exploration. Wanted to find gold Wanted to spread Christianity Wanted to find a way to become involved in the spice trade of the Indies His expeditions explored the Atlantic Ocean and the coast of Africa. Began to trade for slaves, gold, and ivory.

Voyages of Portugal In 1488 Bartolomeu Dias sailed around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. This led to the discovery of a route to the Indian Ocean

Voyages of Portugal The discovery of the route to the Indian Ocean encouraged other explorers. Vasco da Gama used this knowledge to sail across the Indian Ocean and land in India in 1498. The voyages of Dias and da Gama established an overseas trade route from Europe to India and the East Indies. Brought spices and jewels to Portugal. Travel by sea was much quicker and more efficient than traveling by land.

Voyages of Spain Spain also became interested in exploration due to their desire for new trade routes. Christopher Columbus believed that a shorter route to Asia could be found by sailing west instead of sailing around Africa.

Voyages of Spain Columbus’ voyage was financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. In August of 1492, Columbus set sail with 3 ships. Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria In October of 1492, he landed on a small island that he named San Salvador. Columbus thought that the island was off the coast of India, but he had actually discovered the Americas. The major difference between Columbus and the Portuguese explorers was that the Portuguese sailed to lands they already knew about. Columbus discovered lands that were previously unknown.

The Columbian Exchange In the years after Columbus’ voyage a massive exchange of goods took place between the “New World” and Europe. Products, plants, animals, and even diseases were transferred between the two halves of the world.

The Treaty of Tordesillas The Spanish and Portuguese often claimed they had discovered the same lands. This led to conflict between the two groups. Pope Alexander VI drew an imaginary line through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Spain gets all lands on the western side of the line. Portugal gets all lands on the eastern side of the line. In 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas moved the line further west.

The Treaty of Tordesillas In 1500 Pedro Cabral set out for India, but his ship was blown off course. He landed on the coast of Brazil. Under the Treaty of Tordesillas, Cabral was able to claim the lands for Portugal – lands that originally would have been the property of Spain. Portugal would eventually come to control most of Central and South America. Spain would control the Philippines.

Other Explorers Amerigo Vespucci Vasco Nunez de Balboa Went on several expeditions with the Spanish and Portuguese. Found new lands across the Atlantic that would later be named “America” after him. Vasco Nunez de Balboa Sailed across the Isthmus of Panama Confirmed that the New World was not part of Asia

Other Explorers Ferdinand Magellan Samuel de Champlain James Cook Found and named the Pacific Ocean Made the first voyage around the world Samuel de Champlain Sailed to North America for the French Founded the city of Quebec James Cook Sailed the Pacific Ocean Explored Australia, the Hawaiian islands, and Newfoundland

Other Explorers Zheng He Chinese explorer Explored 30 nations including Africa, parts of Asia, and the Middle East Was a Muslim and made the pilgrimage to Mecca Was the last Chinese explorer – after his voyages the emperor ended exploration because it was too expensive.