Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Age of ExplorationThe Age of Exploration

The search for AsiaThe search for AsiaEuropean royalty still wanted to

get to Asia easily; even though trade was good, it was still hard

Kings and Queens began to send explorers east to find Asia, even though they had no idea what was out there, or how far it would be

Spain sent Christopher Columbus

Problems with the Silk Problems with the Silk Road:Road:1. Prices for the goods became

extremely high2. Countries began fighting with

each other: travel became extremely dangerous

What forms of money do we use today?

In the Renaissance, the only “money” used was gold and silver, which was literally running out

People needed to find a new source for gold and silver

Expanding ChristianityExpanding ChristianityChristian’s were commanded to

spread their faith “into all the world…to the whole creation.”

Explorers took this seriously, especially when they discovered the “pagan” people in North and South America

Also, Christianity felt threatened that the Muslim religion was becoming more powerful/spread out than their own

P.113 – when Europeans settled in Canada, they brought with them their religious beliefs

The “Means” to ExploreThe “Means” to ExploreBy “means,” we mean the

equipment and skills neededEuropeans had been in contact with

so many other cultures for so long, they were open to new “worldviews” from the places they found

they were curious about what they may find travelling, but they had no way of knowing if the “stories” were true

More “means”…More “means”…Prince Henry gave a lot of money

to people to develop navigation equipment

These people used the equipment to make maps and new ways to navigate ships

Also, a lot of money was put into ship design (p.118)

European ExpansionEuropean ExpansionMost European countries had an expansionist worldview – a goal to increase power by conquering new land

#1: Go East#1: Go EastPortugal sent ships southeast, along

the coast of Africa to find gold and resources

They became involved in the African slave-trade

Eventually, Europeans did the same, capturing millions of African slaves

The Portuguese also hired local people as interpreters to make trade easier

They were also the first country to travel all the way south, under Africa, to get to the east

After some battles with the locals, the Portuguese conquered parts of Asia, and became the most powerful trading company in Europe

#2: Go West#2: Go WestChristopher Columbus was sent

by Spain to go westHe landed in the Caribbean,

making 3 tripsEven until he died, he was

convinced the place he discovered was Asia

Spain sent Ferdinand Magellan next, who sailed under South America, landing in the Philippines

Magellan was killed in a local war, but his ship eventually made it back to Spain loaded with spices

It was the first ship to circumnavigate (completely travel around) the world!!!