Age of Exploration and Isolation

1
Age of Exploration and Isolation

• Europe and the Far East

2
Why Explore????????

• Crusades and journeys of Marco Polo exposed
  Europeans to new technologies, products, and
  culture

• Spicesnutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, pepper
• Silk
• Opiummedicinal and recreational use

3
Why Explore????????

• The new products offered the opportunity to make
  money
• Products expensive in Europe due to control of
  trade routes by Muslim middle men

4
Why Explore????????

• Religion
• Power struggle in Europe between Catholics /
  Protestants
• Both churches want to spread their influence and
  obtain converts

5
Why Explore????????

• Science
• Sailing technology and navigation made it
  possible
• Astrolabe instrument to guide sailors with
  stars
• Caravel triangular sail
• Curiosity and questioning of scientific theories

6
Two Main Players in Early Exploration
Portugal and Spain

• P
• O
• R
• T
• U
• G
• A
• L

SPAIN
7
The Portuguese

• Prince Henry
• Son of Portuguese King
• Dazzled by dreams of ocean exploration and East
  Asia
• Established a navigation school
• Portuguese survival based on its ability to
  trade - OCEAN

8
The Portuguese

• Vasco de Gama
• First to sail around Africa to India (27,000 mi)

9
The Spanish

• Spain jealous of Portugals achievements (rivals)
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

10
Christopher Columbus

• Plan to sail west to get to the Far East
• Lands on Caribbean island in 1492
• Dies believing he landed in India