Why did Europeans explore? Gold Glory God GOLD “Show me the money!” Demand for: 1.Finding gold 2.Trading spices for gold 3.Finding natural resources and trading for gold GLORY Political and economic competition between European countries GOD Europeans want to spread Christianity (Diffusion of Christianity) 3 G’s aided and abetted by… Improved maps Astrolabe Caravel ships – Lateen sails (India) – More maneuverable – Faster – Commissioned by Prince Henry the Navigator Courtesy of the Muslims Courtesy of the Europeans Prince Henry the Navigator •From: Portugal •Famous for: •Brought experts together to study navigation •Paid for exploration •Memory Hook: •“Prince Henry Paid 4 Portuguese to X-Plore” Vasco da Gama •From: Portugal •Famous for: •Sailed around tip of Africa to India •First water route to Asia •Memory Hook: •“Da Gama & Da Portuguese Sailed to Da India” Christopher Columbus •From: Italy (Spain) •Famous for: •First European to find “New World” •Never knew he wasn’t in India •Memory Hook: •“Spain wanted to be in India, but Chris landed in America” Ferdinand Magellan •From: Spain •Famous for: •First to circumnavigate the globe (go around the world) •Memory Hook: •“Magellan and his crew did go from Spain to Spain in a circle you should know” Hernando Cortez •From: Spain •Famous for: •Conquered Aztecs •Took over Mexico for Spain •Memory Hook: •“In Mexico the Aztecs were bold but Cortez and Spain took their gold” Francisco Pizarro •From: Spain •Famous for: •Conquered Incas •Took over Peru & Chile for Spain •Memory Hook: •“Spain liked Pizarro with extra cheese so they conquered the Incas in the Andes” Francis Drake •From: England •Famous for: •First Englishman to circumnavigate the globe •Memory Hook: •“Drake! Drake! English circumnavigate!” Jacques Cartier •From: France •Famous for: •Claimed Canada (Quebec) for France •Memory Hook: •“Cartier—he liked to dance—he claimed Canada for France”