Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary motive behind European exploration during the period of 1500-1800?
What was the primary motive behind European exploration during the period of 1500-1800?
Which technology greatly improved navigation and exploration during the Age of Discovery?
Which technology greatly improved navigation and exploration during the Age of Discovery?
What was Bartolomeu Dias known for in the context of exploration?
What was Bartolomeu Dias known for in the context of exploration?
What significant event did Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492 lead to?
What significant event did Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492 lead to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term best describes a leader in the Spanish conquest of the Americas?
Which term best describes a leader in the Spanish conquest of the Americas?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the effect of European diseases on the indigenous populations of the Americas?
What was the effect of European diseases on the indigenous populations of the Americas?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following explorers is credited with the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, even if his ship was the only one to return?
Which of the following explorers is credited with the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, even if his ship was the only one to return?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494?
What was the purpose of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494?
Signup and view all the answers
Which conquistador is known for leading the conquest of the Aztec Empire?
Which conquistador is known for leading the conquest of the Aztec Empire?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Afonso de Albuquerque accomplish in the Indian Ocean?
What did Afonso de Albuquerque accomplish in the Indian Ocean?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Amerigo Vespucci and why is he significant?
Who was Amerigo Vespucci and why is he significant?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group of explorers began to challenge Spanish and Portuguese dominance by the end of the sixteenth century?
Which group of explorers began to challenge Spanish and Portuguese dominance by the end of the sixteenth century?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the strategic importance of establishing ports like Goa for the Portuguese?
What was the strategic importance of establishing ports like Goa for the Portuguese?
Signup and view all the answers
Which explorer attempted to find a westward route to Asia but instead discovered the Americas?
Which explorer attempted to find a westward route to Asia but instead discovered the Americas?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
European Exploration and Expansion
- Time Period: 1500-1800
- Motivations: "Gold, Glory, and God" (wealth, fame, religious conversion)
- Inspiration: Marco Polo's travels to Asia, creating fascination with the "exotic east"
- Trade Focus: Desire for Asian spices, which were expensive and transported by land via Arab traders
-
Technological Advancements:
- Caravel: Small, fast, maneuverable ships with large cargo holds and lateen sails
- Cartography: Improved mapmaking
- Magnetic Compass: Invented in China, aided ocean navigation
- Understanding of Wind Patterns: Improved Atlantic crossings
Portuguese Expeditions
- Early Focus: Exploring the African coast (1420s)
- Gold Coast Discovery: Finding new gold sources on the southern coast of West Africa
- Bartolomeu Dias: Rounded the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope) in 1488
- Vasco da Gama: Sailed around Africa and reached India (1498), gaining control of the spice trade from the Muslims
- Afonso de Albuquerque: Established a port in Goa, India, and took control of the spice trade. Further established a stop on the route to the Spice Islands
- Spice Trade Control: Portugal gained major control of the spice trade in the region, particularly the Moluccas (Spice Islands)
Spanish Explorers
- Miscalculation: Estimated Earth's circumference incorrectly, leading to sailing west for a route to Asia
- Christopher Columbus: Financed by Queen Isabella, sailed west and reached the Americas in 1492, mistaking it for Asia; explored Caribbean islands.
- Ferdinand Magellan: Led expedition that circumnavigated the globe (1519-1522). His fleet passed through the Strait of Magellan and reached the Philippines, where he was killed.
- Exploring the Americas: Columbus and Magellan's voyages led Spanish exploration and conquest of much of the Americas
Treaty of Tordesillas
- Purpose: Settle disputes between Spain and Portugal over newly discovered lands
- Boundary Line: Established a meridian line dividing spheres of influence. East of the line was Portuguese, and West was Spanish's.
Other Expeditions and Explorers
- John Cabot: Explored New England coastline for England (1497)
- Pedro Cabral: Landed in South America (1500), claiming Brazil for Portugal
- Amerigo Vespucci: Florentinist who wrote letters about the lands he discovered, giving the continent its name.
The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire
- Hernan Cortes: Led an expedition taking down the Aztec.
- Alliances: Successfully created alliances with city-states opposed to the Aztecs
- Tenochtitlan: Cortés arrived in the Aztec capital in 1519, was welcomed but there were tensions; the Spanish kidnapped and killed their king
- Destruction and Disease: Fall of 1520, Spanish were driven from Tenochtitlan; European diseases like smallpox decimated the native population. Reinforcements allowed Spanish to regain control and destroy Aztec cities and infrastructure.
The Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire
- Francisco Pizarro: Led the Spanish conquest of the Inca in 1531.
- Strength, Weakness: Spanish soldiers used superior weapons, horses, and diseases (which hurt the Inca); however, the Inca fought amongst each other due to succession issues.
- Atahualpa: Inca Emperor captured and executed
- Cuzco: Incan capital sacked for new capital at Lima (1535)
European Rivals
-
Dutch, French, and English: Challenged Spanish and Portuguese dominance by the late 16th century
-
Dutch West India Company: Formed to challenge Portuguese and Spanish colonies and established some temporary settlements in Brazil and the Caribbean
-
French: Colonized parts of Canada (New France) and Louisiana in the 17th century. Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec (1608).
-
English: Established settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts Bay and controlled much of the eastern North American coast.
Vocabulary
- Caravel: A small, fast, maneuverable ship
- Colony: A settlement in a new territory linked with the parent country
- Conquistador: A leader in the Spanish conquest of the Americas
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the era of European exploration and expansion from 1500 to 1800, focusing on motivations like wealth and fame. Learn about key figures like Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, and the technological advancements that shaped ocean navigation. Discover how these explorations were driven by the desire for Asian spices and other riches.
