I. CAUSES OF EUROPEAN

EXPLORATION:

Notes: Unit 3: Exploration & Colonization 1 Reasons for European Exploration

1. Crusades (1095)- A series of holy wars that lasted centuries. - Crusaders from Europe tried to capture the Holy

Land and holy city of Jerusalem.- Result: Crusades increased trade between Europe and

Asia (silks & spices).

2. The Spice Trade with Asia- While in the holy land the Crusaders were introduced to

many new products.- Europeans used many new products (luxury goods) that

improved their lives.- Examples of Spices: pepper, cloves, and ginger (made food

taste better)- Silks & dyes were used for clothing. Oriental rugs imported.- Results: Nobles of Europe were willing to pay large amounts of

money for these goods. Increased Spice Trade & Silk Trade (Road) between Europe

and Asia. Merchants who could find and sell spices became very rich.

3. Explorers - Marco Polo, From Venice, Italy.- Found a land route to the silks & spices of the

Orient (China/India/Far East). - Results:Italy controlled the silk & spice trade (became

wealthy). Other European nations tried to find a

shorter/cheaper route eastern Asia (silks & spices).

European explorers began to search for a water route to Asia (da Gama, Columbus, Magellan).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Marco_Polo_portrait.jpg

II. Discovery of the Americas

1. Christopher Columbus- Sailed from Spain to find the riches of the Orient (silks & spices).- Journey paid by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.- Columbus wanted to sail west from Spain across the Atlantic to

reach the Far East (Orient).- Results: Columbus was right about the shape of the earth, he was

wrong about the size. Columbus was off by 11,000 miles.

Columbus arrived in the Caribbean Sea: He believed he had reached the East Indies and named the indigenous (native) people “Indians”.

Columbus failed in his mission. He set out to find the riches of the Orient, not a new world.

“It appears to me, that the people are ingenious (clever), and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion.”

  “For I, with the force I have under me, which is not large, could

march over all these islands without opposition…They have no arms (weapons), and are without warlike instincts (peaceful); they all go naked, and are so timid that a thousand would not stand before three of our men. So that they are good to be ordered about, to work and sow, and do all that may be necessary, and to build towns, and they should be taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs.”

“With fifty men I could subjugate (control) them all and make them do everything that is required of them.”

~ Christopher Columbus 1492

2. The Columbian Exchange Changes the World

- Columbus’ discovery of the Americas changed the economy of the new world (Americas) and old world (Europe).

- Both sides received new products and foods.- The Columbian Exchange created a global

economy.

3. Negative (-) Results of the Columbian Exchange:

- Europeans brought disease (smallpox & influenza).- Millions of Native American Indians die.- Many Native Americans are enslaved.- Causes the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.- Native American cultures are destroyed.- Marks the beginning of Old Imperialism.

4. Positive Results of the Columbian Exchange: New foods and resources were made available. Some Europeans sought religious freedom in the

New World. New opportunities for Europeans emerged in the

New World.