The Age of Exploration: Gold, Glory, and God

Motives for European nations to Explore the World GLORY: to seek fame and fortune GOD: to spread Christianity to the world and for some to finish what the Crusades failed GOLD: reach the Spice Islands faster and cheaper; establish trade routes

Reasons for Exploration Religious Reasons: Europeans still wanted to Crusade against Muslims Kings and Queens wanting to spread Christianity Nationalism: National pride to claim to be the first one to reach the Spice Islands by water (not the Silk Road) Middle Ages: After Black Death population increased and demands for trade grew After Crusades Europeans were introduced to spices which improved food quality Marco Polo’s open the Silk Road to Europe displayed the fine items that Europeans wanted GLORY– GOD-- GOLD!!!!!

Europe CAUSED the EXPLORTAION Age….BUT WHY?!?! Better Maps, used compasses, innovated telescopes Better Ships: squire sails and new hull—strong enough to carry cannons ASTROLABE: magnetic compass used to sail by the stars Knowledge of wind patterns and tides Printing press: better maps, share of knowledge of inventions, and discovery of new routes or contacts. Astrolabe

Gold, Glory, or God? The Portuguese yearned to find a sea route to India to miss the Arab “middlemen” who controlled overland routes, keeping prices of pepper and other spices high by keeping supplies low.

Bartholomeu Dias: Gold, Glory, or God? A fierce, 13 day storm blew his ship off course rounding the tip of Africa. He only realized how far he had gone when the skies cleared.

Magellan’s Heroic Death On an island in the Philippines, a native chieftain pretended to be Christian to enlist Magellan’s aid to fight a neighboring chieftain. Once on the island, Magellan was attacked by the chief and his men. He was repeatedly wounded by natives armed with poisoned arrows and spears. He could have retreated and saved himself, but covered his fleeing men, fighting while the rest rowed back to the ships. Magellan was the first person to CIRCUMNAVIGATE the globe

GOLD, GLORY, OR GOD?!?!?

Vasco da Gama God, Gold, or Glory? In his first voyage, da Gama managed to reach Calicut in India (his goal) and sail home. The ruler of Calicut, (Samuri) welcomed da Gama: “The devil take ye!” and was scornful da Gama had not brought valuable presents. God, Gold, or Glory?

Pattern of Contact Trade Europeans stayed and set up trading ports with new contacts Created alliances with local leaders Slave trade began: Portugal colonized Brazil –sent slaves from Africa to work on Brazilian plantations because Africans less likely to contact Native American diseases --death of slaves trip to New World: 30%

Mercantilism TRADING PARTNERS: Europeans stayed to open ports in the new established colonies Materials came from colonies---merchants take materials to Europe—materials used to create products in Europe

Impact on the world by European Contact Colonies set up by Europeans improved the life in Europe: slaves, furs, tomatoes, pineapples, turkey, cotton, fish, spices, tobacco, gold, and silver The only country to remain independent in Africa was Ethiopia Whole civilizations such as the Aztecs (Mexico) were wiped out by explorers like Cortez Native Americans had no immunization to European diseases (90% of population died)