Essential Question: What were the motivations, contributions, and consequences of the European explorers?
The era known as the Age of Exploration, sometimes called the Age of Discovery, officially began in the early 15th century and lasted through the 17th century. The period is characterized as a time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of new trading routes, wealth, and knowledge. The impact of the Age of Exploration would permanently alter the world and transform geography into the modern science it is today.
THE BIRTH OF THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
Many nations were looking for goods such as silver and gold, but one of the biggest reasons for exploration was the desire to find a new route for the spice and silk trades. When the Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453, it blocked European access to the area, severely limiting trade. In addition, it also blocked access to North Africa and the Red Sea, two very important trade routes to the Far East.
Marco Polo was one of the first and most famous Europeans to travel to Asia during the Middle Ages. He traveled farther than any of his predecessors during his 24-year journey along the Silk Road, reaching China and Mongolia, where he became a confidant of Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan (1215–94) Mongol Emperor (1260–94). Grandson of Genghis Khan, he completed the conquest of China in 1279, establishing the Yüan dynasty, which ruled until 1368. He conquered the Southern Song dynasty, and extended operations into se Asia, although his attempt to invade Japan was thwarted by storms.
The first of the journeys associated with the Age of Discovery were conducted by the Portuguese. Although the Portuguese, Spanish, Italians and other had been plying the Mediterranean for generations, most sailors kept well within sight of land or traveled known routes between ports. Prince Henry the Navigator changed that, encouraging explorers to sail beyond the mapped routes and discover new trade routes to West Africa.
THE BIRTH OF THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
Many nations were looking for goods such as silver and gold, but one of the biggest reasons for exploration was the desire to find a new route for the spice and silk trades. When the Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453, it blocked European access to the area, severely limiting trade. In addition, it also blocked access to North Africa and the Red Sea, two very important trade routes to the Far East.
Marco Polo was one of the first and most famous Europeans to travel to Asia during the Middle Ages. He traveled farther than any of his predecessors during his 24-year journey along the Silk Road, reaching China and Mongolia, where he became a confidant of Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan (1215–94) Mongol Emperor (1260–94). Grandson of Genghis Khan, he completed the conquest of China in 1279, establishing the Yüan dynasty, which ruled until 1368. He conquered the Southern Song dynasty, and extended operations into se Asia, although his attempt to invade Japan was thwarted by storms.
The first of the journeys associated with the Age of Discovery were conducted by the Portuguese. Although the Portuguese, Spanish, Italians and other had been plying the Mediterranean for generations, most sailors kept well within sight of land or traveled known routes between ports. Prince Henry the Navigator changed that, encouraging explorers to sail beyond the mapped routes and discover new trade routes to West Africa.
Henry the Navigator
Portugal was the first country to launch large scale voyages of exploration. Prince Henry the son of King John I also called Henry the Navigator. He was a patron of those who chose to explore.
In the early 1400's Henry established a small court to which he brought sailors, mapmakers, astronomers, and others who were interested in navigation. From this court he would send expeditions to islands in the Atlantic and south to explore the western coast of Africa. They would learn a great deal about Africa’s coast. Including the fact that both gold and slaves were available. His ultimate goal was to find a water route around Africa to India.
Portugal was the first country to launch large scale voyages of exploration. Prince Henry the son of King John I also called Henry the Navigator. He was a patron of those who chose to explore.
In the early 1400's Henry established a small court to which he brought sailors, mapmakers, astronomers, and others who were interested in navigation. From this court he would send expeditions to islands in the Atlantic and south to explore the western coast of Africa. They would learn a great deal about Africa’s coast. Including the fact that both gold and slaves were available. His ultimate goal was to find a water route around Africa to India.
Christopher Columbus
In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, agreed to pay for a voyage by Italian Sailor Christopher Columbus. Columbus believed he could sail west around the world to China. Do you know where the term Indian comes from? After about 2 months at sea he reached an island in the Caribbean but thought he had reached the Asian islands known as the Indies. As a result he called these people Indians.
Columbus returned to Spain in march of 1493 with many exotic items from the lands he had explored, including parrots, jewels, gold and plants unknown in Europe. He also brought several Native Americans back to Spain, where they were baptized as Christians. Believing that he had found a new route to Asia people called him Columbus the hero.
In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, agreed to pay for a voyage by Italian Sailor Christopher Columbus. Columbus believed he could sail west around the world to China. Do you know where the term Indian comes from? After about 2 months at sea he reached an island in the Caribbean but thought he had reached the Asian islands known as the Indies. As a result he called these people Indians.
Columbus returned to Spain in march of 1493 with many exotic items from the lands he had explored, including parrots, jewels, gold and plants unknown in Europe. He also brought several Native Americans back to Spain, where they were baptized as Christians. Believing that he had found a new route to Asia people called him Columbus the hero.