1. Age of Exploration
1400s-1700s

2. Foundations of Exploration
Renaissance spirit of discovery and innovation sparked European interest in voyages of discovery.
Search of Wealth
Northern Europeans were sick of paying high Italian prices
Fame and Glory
Spread Religion
Curiosity

3. Foundations of Exploration: Technology
Compass and Astrolabe from China and the Middle East
Deep-draft ships
Caravel
Lateen Sails

4. Portugal and Spain: Geographically lucky?

5. Explorers: Portugal Henry the Navigator Bartolomeu Dias Vasco da Gama
Goal to find water route around Africa to Asia
Bartolomeu Dias
First European to attempt to sail around Africa
Vasco da Gama
First European to sail around Africa to India
Pedro Cabral
Sailed far West to catch good winds, saw and claimed the land today known as Brazil

6. Explorers: Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
Christopher Columbus
Sail west around the world from Spain to reach China
Believed he reached India, called native Indians.
Error was only discovered in 1502 by Amerigo Vespucci
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
1513 discovered the Isthmus of Panama
First to see Pacific Ocean
Ferdinand Magellen
1519- Left Spain with 5 Ships and 250
Magellen was killed in the Philippines, only 18 men returned in 1522
Read pg. 474 “An Explorers Journal” TPS

7. New Patterns of Trade: Columbian Exchange
Exchange of plants, animals and disease between natives and European explorers

8. Countries should limit imports and maximize exports
Mercantilism: “A nations strength depends on its wealth (measured by gold and silver).”
Only a fixed amount of wealth in the world and nations must compete for it
Countries should limit imports and maximize exports
Countries should have their own source of raw materials to avoid dependence on others.
Colonies only exist as a way for the mother country to make money.
Colonies can only trade with the mother country.
Pg. 485 Read “Two Sources on Colonies” TPS

9. Rise of Capitalism What is capitalism? Joint-Stock Companies:
International trade was expensive
Investors pool their money to fund large businesses
Investors buy shares of stock in a company. When there is profit, each shareholder receives a portion of that profit. It also works the other way around.
Example: British East India Company
What are the similarities and differences between Mercantilism and Capitalism?