Overview
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/8/26688558/2279482.jpg)
The Age of Exploration, or Age of Discovery officially began in the 1400's, and continued on until about the 1700's. The period is defined as a time when Europeans began exploring
the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods, and new trade routes.
The fall of the Constantinople Empire could be seen as a trigger of this age. The Ottoman Empire expanded in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which caused tensions between European countries and the breaching of trade routes to the Orient, which was a primary source of trade for Europe. Consequently, Europe desired new trade routes. In the same respect, these events could be interpreted as intermediate causes, since human agency was involved in disrupting the structure already set in place, and causing change.
A long-term cause of the Age of Discovery could be identified as the rise in new technology and discoveries. The Caravel sailing ship was developed by the Portuguese in 1450, and soon became the preferred vessel for Portuguese explorers. The caravel was agile and much easier to navigate than previous ships, which made voyages much easier, and explorers more inclined to embark on them. The Trade Winds system was also discovered in the 15th century, which allowed for explorers to better plan and navigate their expeditions across the ocean.
The quality of maps was also improving during this time period, which was not necessarily a cause of the Voyages of Exploration, but can certainly be credited with assisting in their success.
There are many extremely important events that took place during the Voyages of Exploration that not only were significant to that time period but significant in the history of the world in general. Up until the voyages took place, the Europeans’ knowledge of the world was extremely limited. With these voyages, knowledge of the New World increased dramatically, and opened up a “new world” of economic growth and new trade products or commodities.
the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods, and new trade routes.
The fall of the Constantinople Empire could be seen as a trigger of this age. The Ottoman Empire expanded in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which caused tensions between European countries and the breaching of trade routes to the Orient, which was a primary source of trade for Europe. Consequently, Europe desired new trade routes. In the same respect, these events could be interpreted as intermediate causes, since human agency was involved in disrupting the structure already set in place, and causing change.
A long-term cause of the Age of Discovery could be identified as the rise in new technology and discoveries. The Caravel sailing ship was developed by the Portuguese in 1450, and soon became the preferred vessel for Portuguese explorers. The caravel was agile and much easier to navigate than previous ships, which made voyages much easier, and explorers more inclined to embark on them. The Trade Winds system was also discovered in the 15th century, which allowed for explorers to better plan and navigate their expeditions across the ocean.
The quality of maps was also improving during this time period, which was not necessarily a cause of the Voyages of Exploration, but can certainly be credited with assisting in their success.
There are many extremely important events that took place during the Voyages of Exploration that not only were significant to that time period but significant in the history of the world in general. Up until the voyages took place, the Europeans’ knowledge of the world was extremely limited. With these voyages, knowledge of the New World increased dramatically, and opened up a “new world” of economic growth and new trade products or commodities.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/8/26688558/1253617.jpg?126)
There are many significant figures of this time period that played a role in the exploration. Prince Henry of Portugal, better known as Henry the Navigator, was an important figure in the early days of the Portugese Empire and the Age of Discovery in general. He was responsible for the early development of European exploration. Henry became aware of the potential for great profit from the Saharan trade route in Africa. Henry sponsered a large number of voyages along the coast of Africa, the primary goal being to sail the coast of Africa.. The first European navigation to reach Cape Bojador, south of the African coast, was a navigation sponsered by Henry. There was little profit from his voyages until 1444, when a voyage brought back numerous Africans to be sold as slaves. Although Prince Henry never sailed on any of his expeditions and rarely left Portugal, he became known as Prince Henry the Navigator.
Many of the explorers during this time period desired to either spread the religion of Christianity, like a crusade mission, or to reach Asia and gain access to the lucrative spice trade, or both. The success of the voyages of Henry the Navigator inspired many other European nations to begin to set sail and discover. Crucial discoveries would soon follow.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus reached the shore of America, discovering what was referred to as the New World. To prevent conflict between Portugal and Spain, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between these countries.There was constant threat of conflict between European nations during this period, as every Empire wanted to reach either undiscovered resources or the spice trade first, and claim it for their own personal gain. This time period was definitely extremely fuelled by wealth, and a desire for commercialism, an era which commenced as a result of the profits reaped from voyages.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus reached the shore of America, discovering what was referred to as the New World. To prevent conflict between Portugal and Spain, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between these countries.There was constant threat of conflict between European nations during this period, as every Empire wanted to reach either undiscovered resources or the spice trade first, and claim it for their own personal gain. This time period was definitely extremely fuelled by wealth, and a desire for commercialism, an era which commenced as a result of the profits reaped from voyages.
This map depicts the major trade routes of the European countries.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cfford/Colonytraderoutes.jpg
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cfford/Colonytraderoutes.jpg
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/8/26688558/3308887.jpg?278)
In 1498, an expedition commanded by Vasco de Gama was the first European voyage to successfully reach India, done by sailing around Africa. The Portugese sailed even further east, capturing a city called Malacca (present day Malaysia) in 1511, as part of a plan to gain control over trade between China and India. East and west exploration were brought together upon the first circumnavigation of the world, which began in 1519 and was completed by 1522.
While Portugal, Spain and Italy seemed to be the first countries departing on voyages and discovering countries, the French, the English, and eventually the Dutch joined the “race” of exploration after learning of the success of the voyages. However their delay in joining the voyages did not lead to disappointment for the Dutch. The Dutch were the first to discover the continent of Australia in 1606, as well as New Zealand in 1642. The English were the first to discover the island of Hawaii in 1778.
This desire to reach the lucrative sea trade, to discern what could be reached by travelling across the uncharted and dangerous ocean, brought about change on a global scale, and it was all instituted by Europe.
While Portugal, Spain and Italy seemed to be the first countries departing on voyages and discovering countries, the French, the English, and eventually the Dutch joined the “race” of exploration after learning of the success of the voyages. However their delay in joining the voyages did not lead to disappointment for the Dutch. The Dutch were the first to discover the continent of Australia in 1606, as well as New Zealand in 1642. The English were the first to discover the island of Hawaii in 1778.
This desire to reach the lucrative sea trade, to discern what could be reached by travelling across the uncharted and dangerous ocean, brought about change on a global scale, and it was all instituted by Europe.