Unit 4 EK Notes

The Age of Exploration

ExplorationFactors contributing to the European discovery of lands in the Western Hemisphere•Demand for gold, spices, and natural resources in Europe•Support for the diffusion of Christianity•Political and economic competition between European empires•Innovations in navigational arts (European and Islamic origins)-compass, astrolabe, lateen sail, caravel

PortugalPortuguese Take the lead in Exploration•Pioneering role of Prince Henry the Navigator-created a navigational school on the coast of Portugal•Bartolomeu Dias-first recorded European trip around the southern tip of Africa•Vasco da Gama- opened direct sea route from Portugal to India

Spanish ExplorersEstablishment of overseas empires and decimation (destruction) of indigenous (native) populations•Christopher Columbus- tried to find Asia by sailing west, landed in the islands of the Caribbean; his voyage initiated contact between the Eastern and Western hemispheres

Spanish Explorers•Ferdinand Magellan- led the voyage which was the first to successfully circumnavigate the globe; he died in the Philippines after becoming involved in a tribal conflict. His crew finished the journey back to Spain.

Spanish Explorers

•Hernando Cortez- conquistador who conquered the Aztecs

Spanish Explorers•Francisco Pizarro-conquistador who conquered the Incas

English Explorer•Sir Francis Drake-circumnavigated the globe destroying Spanish ships and holdings

French Explorer•Jacques Cartier- explored and claimed the area around Montreal for the French