Age of Exploration Overview

The transfer of goods, people, microbes, and ideas between Afro-Eurasia and the Americas/Caribbean, starting in 1492.

Far-reaching consequences of the exchange, including new trade networks, rapid cultural change, and shifts in power.

A network of exchange across the Sahara Desert, where slaves were a critical component.

A network of exchange across the Indian Ocean, where slaves were involved.

Slavery existed before the Columbian Exchange in different trade networks, such as Trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade.

Europeans lacked enough workers to meet the demands of American labor.

The reasons why European powers explored, including the desire for wealth, religious expansion, and glory.

The need for forced labor in the Americas (especially for mining and agriculture)

Extraction of silver from mines in the Americas. It was a significant source of revenue for Europe.

New sailing ship designs that improved travel and trade across oceans. They were critical to European Exploration.

Portuguese explorer who established the first ocean route to Asia in 1498.

A process that efficiently extracted silver from ore using mercury.

Large-scale farming of sugarcane in the Americas, primarily for export.

Spanish explorers who conquered and colonized parts of the Americas.

Powerful Native American civilization in present-day Mexico, conquered by the Spanish.

Powerful Native American civilization in present-day Peru, conquered by the Spanish.

The valuable trade of spices from Asia, controlling this trade was crucial for European powers.

A system of trade that developed across the Atlantic Ocean, linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The first stage of the Atlantic Trading System (roughly 1490s-1650s), dominated by Portugal and Spain.

The second stage of the Atlantic Trading System, starting in the 1650s, and dominated by Great Britain and France.

Europeans sought labor-intensive crops (tobacco, sugar, cotton) and raw materials (silver, gold) from the Americas.

A historical event that played a role in shaping the context and nature of slavery and trade.

Event that triggered significant changes in trade and slavery.

Slavery existed before 1453 and 1492, but primary traders were Arabs and Muslims.

Strong African militaries and European lack of tropical immunity hampered European infiltration of Africa.

Dominant agricultural system in Americas, requiring slave labor for profitable cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton.

European demand for labor led to the forced transport of Africans to the Americas.

Forced labor system in Spanish colonies; requiring a portion of indigenous population to work for the Spanish.

European enslavement of Native Americans due to their superior weapons and belief in their inferiority, forcing them into labor.

Growing opposition by Native American populations to forced labor.

Technological advantage that European powers used to control and exploit Native American populations.

African kingdoms traded enslaved people for European goods; often victims of kidnapping or warfare.

Incan labor system that provided example for Spanish forced labor system.

The Dutch lost control of New Netherland (present-day New York) to the British in the 1600s.

Great Britain developed the strongest navy in the 18th century, using it to gain land and influence.

The British gained control of India in the 18th century through wars against France.

A war between France and England in North America, fought due to European alliances, where Britain prevailed.

Britain gained Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in Canada, leading to increased British influence over Native tribes. This negatively impacted tribes like the Algonquians who had previously been treated favorably by the French.

A major war where Britain defeated France and Spain, leading to significant territorial gains and global power shift.

Britain gained Cuba, the Philippines, India (French traders ousted), Senegal, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and control of Canada, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River region.

As the 18th century ended, Britain emerged as a dominant global power, while France, Spain, and Portugal declined in influence.