Exploration, Encounters, and Imperialism

Key ThemesMovement of People and Goods

How did global trade patterns change 1400s – 1700s?

Science and TechnologyWhat types of technology allowed Western Europe to explore the oceans?

InterdependenceWhat motives did Europeans have for establishing colonies b/t 1500 and 1700?

ChangeWhat major changes did the European expansion bring to peoples around the world?

Eve of Exploration

Reconquista and Expulsions

Reasons for European Exploration

Impact of TechnologyThe Printing Press

Gunpowder

Naval Technology

Reconquista and ExpulsionsMarriage of Ferdinand and Isabella create a powerful Spanish kingdom

1492: Ferdinand and Isabella force the Muslims out of Spain

In order to create religious unity, Isabella launches brutal crusade against Muslims and Jews who refuse to convert to Christianity

Many people killed and 150,000 forced into exile

Reasons for European Explorations

Trade between Europe and Asia disrupted by Ottoman control of the Eastern Mediterranean

1400s: seeking to gain Asian spices, Europeans reopen global trade links

Italian and Muslim control of Mediterranean trade keeps prices high on product

To gain direct access to Asian trade, Portugal and Spain look for new oceanic routes

Impact of TechnologyThe Printing Press

Books enable Europeans to access new ideas and information including geography

GunpowderArabs bring gunpowder to Europe in 1200s. Allows Europeans to advance military weapons.Portuguese equip ships w/ cannons

Naval TechnologyMapmakers (cartographers) create better mapsInvention of magnetic compass, astrolabe and better ships

The Caravel

Use of multiple masts was pioneeredby the Chinese

Triangular lateensail allowed the ship tosail into the wind

The deep-sea rudder posted on the stern helped stabilize theship.

The sails were made of different weights of clothdepending on the type of wind

Naval Technology

Magnetic Compass:No matter where you stand on Earth, you can hold a compass in your hand and it will point toward the North Pole.

Astrolabe:Are used to show how the sky looks at a specific place at a given time. This is done by drawing the sky on the face of the astrolabe and marking it so positions in the sky are easy to find.

Early Voyages of Discovery

The Motives

European had long been attracted to Asia

An economic motive thus looms large in European expansion

Religious Zeal: A crusading spirit

Access to Asia

Long history of early explorers fascinated many

Ottoman Empire blocks access

Spices and other precious items

Economic MotiveMerchants, adventurers and government officials had high hopes of finding precious metals & expanding trade

Spices were needed to keep foods from rotting and to add flavor to meals

European wanted a larger share of wealth dominated by Muslims

Religious Zeal

Portugal & Spain had driven the Muslims out.

Motivated to increase the faith and save souls.

Spiritual and Secular Affairs Are Closely Connected

Adventurers like Cortez want to convert the natives to ChristianitySpirit of adventure, glory and grandeur play a major roleReligion justifies and provide the moral approval of material conquest

Development of Maritime EmpirePortugal takes the lead in exploration on Prince HenryPortuguese begin to probe the coasts of AfricaFirst slaves are brought back to EuropeNew source of gold discovered along the “Gold Coast” Diaz, the first to round the Cape of Good HopeVasco de Gamma establishes the direct route to India and returns with great wealth

Development of Maritime EmpirePortuguese return every year to destroy Muslim shipping1508: Portuguese armada defeat Turkish and Indian shipsPortuguese create a land base in Goa (India)Portuguese expand their range to Malacca (Indonesia)

Voyages to the New World

In order to avoid the Portuguese, Spain sails westwardThe Spanish have larger population and more resources. They establish an empire that was far grander and different from the PortugueseChristopher Columbus is the individual who leads the way west.

Christopher ColumbusPersuades Spain to finance exploratory expedition in 1492

Explores coastline of Cuba and Hispaniola

Sails a total of four times searching for India route

Calls the islands of the Caribbean “The Indies”

Exploration RaceJohn Cabot

Pedro Cabral

Amerigo Vespucci

European call the territories explored “The New World

Opportunity for conquest and exploitation

1494: The Treaty of Tordesillas

The Spanish EmpireConquistadores: Spanish conquerors

Blend of glory, greed and religious zealFirearms, weapons and determination = successCortez gains control of Northern MexicoPizarro gains control of IncasDisease aids conquest

The Spanish EmpireThe Encomienda

• Isabella declares Indios her subjects

• This allows settlers the right to use natives as laborers

• In return, settlers were to protect natives

• Holders of encomiendas ignored the policy

• Brutal treatment of natives for economic gain

Impact of Spanish Empire

Forced labor, starvation and disease takes toll on natives

Haiti: 100,000 natives dwindle to 300 from 1493 to 1570

Mexico: 25 million to 3 million from 1500 to 1570

Impact of Spanish EmpireCatholic Pope gives Spain control of religion in New WorldSpain can appoint officials, collect fees and supervise affairsCatholic monks converted and baptized hundreds of thousands of Indians

Impact of European Expansion

Native Civilizations destroyed Old social/political structures replaced by European system of government, religion, language and culture

Increased the wealth of European nationGold and Silver

The Columbian Exchange increases Capitalism and Mercantilism

European rivalry deepened and increased tension among European states

• Spain and Portugal compete

• Opens competition among the English, Dutch and French

The Columbian Exchange