The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, was a period of European history that spanned from the 15th to the 17th century. It was a time of great adventure and discovery, as European explorers set out to chart new lands and establish colonies around the world. But what exactly sparked this period of exploration?
One of the main driving forces behind the Age of Exploration was the desire for wealth and resources. European powers such as Spain, Portugal, and England were eager to find new sources of gold, silver, and other valuable minerals to fund their economies and military endeavors. They also sought new trade routes to bring exotic goods, such as spices, silk, and sugar, back to Europe.
Another factor that contributed to the Age of Exploration was the desire for religious conversion. Many European explorers saw their voyages as a way to spread Christianity to the "heathen" lands they encountered. They believed it was their duty to convert the indigenous peoples they encountered to the Christian faith, and this desire to "civilize" and "Christianize" the world played a significant role in the Age of Exploration.
Technological advancements also played a crucial role in the Age of Exploration. The development of more advanced ships, such as the caravel and the galleon, allowed explorers to sail further and faster than ever before. The creation of the mariner's compass, which made it easier for sailors to navigate the seas, also helped spur exploration.
Political motives were also at play during the Age of Exploration. European powers were constantly vying for power and influence, and establishing colonies in new lands was seen as a way to gain territory and strengthen a nation's influence. This was particularly true for Spain and Portugal, who were the two main powers driving the Age of Exploration.
Overall, the Age of Exploration was driven by a combination of economic, religious, technological, and political factors. It was a time of great change and discovery, and it forever altered the course of history.
How did Age of Exploration change the world?
What was the outcome of this exploration? There were transport costs and the expense of maintaining patrol ships and forts but, all in all, the Portuguese could make a very handsome 90% profit on their investment. No one is sure if he was present at the sermon or heard about it later. Journal of Economic History. For most Europeans, the Age of Discovery was a time when new lands were discovered. However, in the 1960s, archaeological proof of a Viking settlement was found in L'Anse aux Meadows in Nova Scotia, Canada, firmly establishing that the Vikings were the first Europeans to land in the new World. The city was in ruins.
Causes and Impacts of the European Age of Exploration
Because of this widespread discovery and exploration movement, New World and Old World products were exchanged. Some of the most famous explorers of the time include the likes of Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, John Cabot, Juan Ponce de León, and This great pan-European venture was rooted in the development of What were some of the greatest technological innovations that triggered the age exploration? Raleigh: Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, 1987. If the supply of an item was large and few people wanted it, sellers lowered the price. The most important development was the invention of first the Carrack and then caravel in Iberia. The Portuguese decided to use the one thing they had in their favour: superiority in weapons and ships. Everywhere from churches to brothels used spices to improve the generally bad odour of the medieval indoors. Cortés now controlled the Aztec capital.
A Brief History of the Age of Exploration
Around a decade or so later, a guy named Vasco de Gama ended up discovering the way to get around the Cape of Good Hope and to India, which ended up making the first route ever between Portugal and India. Detail from Maris Pacifici by Ortelius, 1589. Merchants hired people to work from their own cottages, turning raw materials from overseas into finished products. Henry Hudson, his boat being greeted by Native Americans at the lakeshore. A fleet was put together, and Spanish navigators such as San Antonio, Concepcion, Santiago and The fleet sailed further and further south, avoiding the Portuguese territories in Brazil, and became the first to reach Estrecho de Todos los Santos, the modern Mar Pacífico because of its apparent stillness.
