1. The Atlantic World
Chapter Four

2. The Age of Exploration What was the Age of Exploration?
A time period when Europeans began to explore the rest of the world
How was this possible?
Improvements in mapmaking, shipbuilding, rigging, and navigation made long voyages possible
Why do European countries explore?
Policy of mercantilism drives exploration
Finding new trade routes and trading “partners” were paramount

3. What is mercantilism?
Policy that stated there was a limited amount of money in the world
Each country needed to grab what they can before it is gone
Export more than you import in order to create a favorable balance of trade
Colonies and markets were needed to keep everything in the system

4. The Explorers Portugal Vasco de Gama Ferdinand Magellan
Landed in India in 1498
Established an important trade route from Europe to India and the East Indies
Ferdinand Magellan
His crew completed the first circumnavigation of the world in 1525
Magellan was killed in the Philippines

5. Voyage of Vasco de Gama

6. Magellan’s Voyage

7. The Explorers Spain Christopher Columbus
Believed he could reach the Indies faster by traveling west…found North America instead
Established the Columbian Exchange
A massive exchange of goods, plants, animals and diseases
Exchange between New and Old Worlds

8. Columbian Exchange

9. The Struggle over the New World
European countries fought for control of the New World and its natural resources
New World provided for opportunities for great wealth
Colonizing European powers:
France
England
Spain
Portugal

11. Struggle Turns to Conflict
England wanted more land in the New World
First defeated the Dutch
Dispute over lands in the Ohio Valley led to a war in 1754
This began the Seven Years’ War with France
The battle in the New World was known as the French an Indian War

13. The Conquistadors Spain Hernan Cortes in Mexico
Able to defeat the mighty Aztec Empire
Used superior weapons, allies, and disease
96% of the Aztec population died from
Francisco Pizzaro in Peru
Defeated the Incan Empire
Ambushed and kidnapped the Incan ruler
Received ransom then strangled and killed him anyway

14. Francisco Pizzaro