Chapter 6: European Expansion Worldviews: Economy, Values, Society

The Treaty of Tordesillas The Age of Exploration: Spain and Portugal were involved in a massive competition to discover the sea route to Asia The Pope eventually stepped in to resolve the conflict: – The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in secret – Divided the world in half, ½ for Spain, ½ for Portugal – Imaginary line gave the west to Spain, the east to Portugal

Division Line

Treaty of Tordesillas The rest of Europe was upset when they learned of this deal – England and France ignored it and sent explorers to North America What gave European nations the right to claim these “new lands” for themselves? – The idea of Imperialism – Imperialism: the extension of power over and a territory, its resources, and its people

Taking Charge This imperialist behavior was a result of their low opinion of the Aboriginal people their encounter is the new lands. – Seen as lesser, non-Christians were not seen as “real people” Spain claimed lands in south and central America – Rich in gold and sugar cane – Worked the indigenous people to death

New Spain

Imperialist Treasure The conquest of the Aztec and Incas in New Spain resulted in great wealth for Spain – Mines in Bolivia, Peru, and other areas sent thousands of tonnes of gold and silver back to Spain – For a time, Spain was the richest country in Europe The English were jealous of Spain – Built smaller faster ships than the Spanish – Raided and stole Spanish gold – Endorsed by the English Queen

The Terrible Cost of Imperialism Pre-1490s, the Incas and the Aztecs were thriving cultures in Central and South America. It only took the Spanish a matter of years to destroy both groups – By % of the Indigenous population had died (as much as 90 million) – Most died of Smallpox, measles, influenza, the plague and other European diseases (they had no immunity (natural resistance) to them

Telling the Indigenous Story Most books and written records of Indigenous peoples in the Americas were burnt or destroyed. This essentially erased the history/identity of entire cultures.

Mapping Changing Worldviews During the Age of Exploration Europeans learned a lot about the world around them – There are no monsters in the oceans – The earth was not flat – People all over the world looked similar to them – Found sea routes to Asia and the Americas

Mapping the Changing Worldviews Europeans also learned a lot about power and wealth – Portugal became the most powerful trading nation in Europe – Spain acquired massive wealth through their conquering of the Americas England, France, and the Netherlands began to expand their empires in different areas around the world. (Africa and North America)

Empires Map

For Queen and Country European Heroes – Middle Ages: Monks and Knights – Renaissance: Thinkers, Artists, Inventors – Age of Exploration: Explorers In England: – Explorers became the heroes of the country – Francis Drake became a hero by raiding Spanish gold ships – England defeated Spain in a massive naval war – England soon became the most powerful nation in the world

Making Contact Europeans were very interested in what they had heard about Indigenous peoples around the world. With the invention of the printing press, books and accounts of interactions with these groups became very popular. These books showed: – Indigenous people were much closer to nature than the Europeans – They did not live in large crowded cities – They based their society around sharing and equality

The Aztec city of Tenochtitlan

Inca city of Machu Picchu

Making Contact These accounts led some Europeans to question they ways they lived their own lives. Some began to wonder if the indigenous were happier than the Europeans. Philosophers, such as Rousseau, were highly influenced by the indigenous peoples

Expansionism and Imperialism Most Europeans saw themselves as superior to the people of the Americas. They needed to take the resources from the Americas to support their European societies AND to grow their American colonies. The Europeans began to compete for land and resources with not only other European nations, but also with the indigenous peoples. – This led to the disregard of Indigenous peoples rights, lands, and traditions.

Expansionism and Imperialism Expansionism also led to the Slave Trade – The British captured African men, women, and children and shipped them to the Americas. – They were then sold to owners who put them to work in plantations (farms).

Slave Ships

Citizens of the World The Renaissance and Age of Exploration set the stage for the world we live in today. – The printing press allowed for the biggest spread of knowledge we have ever seen (pre-internet) – Humanism laid the groundwork for human rights – Trade and Exploration led to the discovery/colonization of new lands Can you imagine a world where this never happened?