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The Age of Exploration refers
that time from the 1400s-1600s
when many explorers took great
risks to sail the seas and explore
unknown lands. What things
would have motivated them to
do this? Try to list 3-5 ideas.
A new age of European exploration,
discovery, expansion, and settlement
began in the 1400s.
What was going on at that time???
 Renaissance
 Population Increase
 Centralization of Power (State-building)
 New technology
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GOD
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GOLD
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Desire to spread Christianity to the “uncivilized.”
Find gold, spices, and other riches.
GLORY
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To become famous; associated with Renaissance
spirit of curiosity
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First explorers – looking for a new trade route
to Asia.
Land – too long and too dangerous
Arabs and Italians were the middlemen
between Europe and East Asia.
Merchants wanted to bypass them and find a
direct route.
How? Go around tip of Africa.
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Extremely valuable
Were used to preserve and flavor food, in
medicine, and in perfume.
Where? Moluccas – island chain in present-day
Indonesia. “Spice Islands”
How? New technology and improved
knowledge (prior to 1400s, ships could not sail
against wind)
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Caravel, astrolabe, magnetic compass, better maps,
better knowledge of wind patterns.
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Portugal led the way in the Age of Exploration.
Location – already traded along coast of Africa
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Traded gold, ivory, slaves
Prince Henry – founded a school for navigators
in 1419.
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Bartolomeu Dias – 1488 – first person to round the
southern tip of Africa – Cape of Good Hope
Vasco da Gama – 1498 – first person to reach India
by this route
 Very profitable…several thousand % (ginger, cinnamon)
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Portugal’s success in Asia made other countries
jealous, especially Spain.
Christopher Columbus
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Rejected by Portugal, sponsored by Ferdinand and
Isabella
His idea: sail west across the Atlantic to reach Asia
Thought it would only take a few weeks
Underestimated the circumference of the Earth
Didn’t know the Americas existed
Left Spain in August 1492; reached land on Oct 12.
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Believed he had reached the East Indies.
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“Indians”
Was really in the Bahamas.
Made 3 return visits; claimed land for Spain;
exploitation of natives; empire building
Why America? Amerigo Vespucci
Columbus died in 1506, still believing he had
reached Asia.
Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas
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Was Portuguese but sailed for Spain
Left Spain on Sept 20, 1519
5 ships; 277 men
 1 ship was lost along the coast of S America
 1 ship (most supplies) mutinied
 Strait of Magellan – Pacific Ocean
 Ate rats, maggots, and sawdust to survive
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 Scurvy was common (rotted gums, gangrene)
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3 ships made it to the Philippines.
 3 G’s accomplished.
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Spread Christianity to natives after performing
a faith healing on the king’s brother
Set up trade with the king
Trade route west to Asia
Magellan was killed in battle here.
Only 1 ship (Victoria) makes it back to Spain in
1522 with 18 men.