Reasons for Exploration


What are some reasons people move?

How much of the world do you think
Europeans knew about in the 1500s?

What are some things that made travelling difficult at this time?


Expanding economies of European states
◦ Stimulated increased trade with markets in Asia

European nations on the Atlantic wanted to
routes for trade


3 G’s: Gold , God & Glory
Gold
◦ Demand for gold, spices, natural resources in Europe

God
◦ Support for the diffusion of Christianity

Glory
◦ Political & economic competition between European empires (want to be biggest & best)


Innovations in navigational arts
◦ European & Islamic origins
◦ Ex. Compass, map-making

Pioneering role of Prince Henry the Navigator
◦ Never explored himself
◦ Set up schools for & sponsored navigation


= spread of ideas

◦
Migration of colonists to new lands
Colony – settlement of people outside their homeland; linked with parent country by trade & government control

Influence of Catholics & Protestants
◦ Carried their faith, language & culture to new lands

◦
Conversion of indigenous peoples
Indigenous – native population