““Quid Terras Alio Quid Terras Alio Calentis Sole Calentis Sole Mutamus?”Mutamus?”

or

Why do some of us bother with alien climes?Why do some of us bother with alien climes?

Matthew RhyneACMS Middle School

Relevant California 5th Grade Standards for Social Studies5.2

1. Describe the entrepreneurial characteristics of early explorers and the technological developments that made sea exploration by latitude and longitude possible

2. Explain the aims, obstacles, and accomplishments of the explorers, sponsors, and leaders of key European expeditions and the reasons Europeans chose to explore and colonize the world.

3. Trace the routes of the major land explorers of the United States, the distances traveled by explorers, and the Atlantic trade routes that linked Africa, the West Indies, the British colonies, and Europe.

THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What factors impelled and constrained European expansion into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans?What was (and wasn’t) unique or “new” about the manner and scope of this “Age of Exploration?”

““We Were Here First!’We Were Here First!’‘Oh Yeah?’ ‘Yeah!’”‘Oh Yeah?’ ‘Yeah!’”

The Age of Exploration: Who are these explorers anyway?The invitation said the 1500’s, not the 1100’s. Right On TimeFashionably LateShowed up at the end of the party without RSVPing, didn’t bring a bottle of something

The Nation-State Issue

A million little pieces…of EuropeProblem with the concept of “European”City States/ Families/KingdomsFools and Bureaucrats

Why Southern Europe?

Better Question: What took “Europe” so long?World trade/exchange prior to 15th/16th CenturiesThe Venetian Empire: More than just blindsAdvantages/Disadvantages in Europe

The 500 lb Ottoman Gorilla

Otto-Who?

Ottoman absence in textsMilitary powerEconomic powerReligious differencesBarrier to the EastPersistence

Wading into the Surf1213-1308: Showdown in the Mediterranean-Jaume I, Pedro III, Jaume IIMallorca/Menorca/ Ibiza: Not just for English and German tourists on holiday.1571-The Battle of Lepanto

Skirting the Edges: Down and Around Africa

Why Africa?Early Experiences- Merchants and MercenariesNOT the slave tradeLegend of Prestor John (and the real Mansa/Musa of Mali)Key trading/refueling outposts

Auditioning for Empire in the Atlantic

Henrique the (Rarely) NavigatorAzores, Canaries, Madeiras oh my!Practice runsLinking the triangle of trade- Europe, Africa, AmericasIntersection of trade winds, currents

The Indian Ocean, or Say Hello to My Little Friend

Well, the Americas are nice, but…The Pacific…not so pacificWMD- Cannons on boats.Ominous Precedent: The Portuguese and Goa

Marketing Exploration

And How Do We Get There?Latitude easy, longitude hard- the AstrolabeLateen riggingMaps- Need to know basisYou’ve got the brains, I’ve got the brawn…let’s make lots of money!

Do We Like Scurvy or is There Another Reason for All This?

Population pressuresIncreasingly marginal farmlandOpportunities for advancementBig payouts (if you survive)Praise the Lord and/or pass the ammunition

Modern Entrepreneurs?

Argument that European culture as “naturally” entrepreneurial/capitalistExplorers as vanguards of modern capitalismOut of necessity rather than explicit planningWhen is the new “new”? And when is it old?State sponsors motivated by wealth, territory to gain upper hand on neighbors

But Weren’t the Americas the Most Important?

Mineral wealthNatural resourcesAgricultural productsThe East is the mall, the Americas is the ATM machine

So What Should We Teach?

Went to the seas out of weakness, not strengthEurope’s “Catch Up” CenturiesFoundations for “real” imperialismFilling in the global gapGood? Bad? Or $^&# Happens?Not all of Europe “wins”

Columbus: What do We do with this Guy?

As a product of his timesWrong, but luckyAs a salesmanAs a relic rather than an innovatorAs a integral character in a complex narrative

Sources

Fernandez-Armesto, Felipe. Before Columbus: Explorations and Colonization from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, 1229-1492.Phillips, Carla and William. The Worlds of Christopher Columbus.Pomeranz, Kenneth and Steven Topik. The World that Trade Created: Society, Culture, and the World EconomyRingrose, David R. Expansion and Global Interaction, 1200-1700.