The Age of Exploration

Did you know…

Spices were so valuable in Europe that you could pay your

rent in peppercorns

Early Exploration• 1000 CE Leif Eriksson

lands in present day Canada (Vinland)

• 1492 Columbus lands in the New World

• Why no credit for the Vikings?

• Why so long between “discoveries”

What Changed?• 1095 the Crusades• Renaissance• Reformation• Technological Innovation• The Commercial Revolution• Strong Monarchies and the Nation-

State

Why Explore?

• Sea Routes to spices in Asia• Gold, silver, precious stones Expand

knowledge of the world• Control a larger empire (resources)• Spread Christianity• Animal furs/fish• Adventure

Why Explore New Maritime Technologies

Why Explore New Maritime Technologies

Hartman Astrolabe

(1532)

Better Maps [Portulan]

Sextant

Mariner’s Compass

Why Go West?•Turkish Empire•Direct/faster

trade route•Bandits•Taxes/tolls•Natural hazards •Competition

Why Not Go West?• Conventional Wisdom

– Knew the Earth was round– Thought the distance was too

great– Didn’t know about the Americas**

• Columbus thought it was shorter

Why ExploreCycle of Conquest and Colonization

Why ExploreCycle of Conquest and Colonization

Explorers Conquistadores

Mission

arie

s

PermanentSettlers

OfficialEuropeanColony!

Columbian Exchange• Old World New World