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Exploring the Americas: 1400 - 1625

Exploring the Americas: 1400 - 1625. A Changing World Early Exploration Spain in America Exploring North America. Expanding Horizons. After the fall of Roman Empire… European world dominated by Catholic Church But Holy Land now dominated by Islam

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Exploring the Americas: 1400 - 1625

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  1. Exploring the Americas: 1400 - 1625 A Changing World Early Exploration Spain in America Exploring North America

  2. Expanding Horizons • After the fall of Roman Empire… • European world dominated by Catholic Church • But Holy Land now dominated by Islam • Christians fear Islam in Holy Land = loss of Holy Land • 1095- Europeans launch Crusades • 9 wars of Christians trying to boot Muslims out • 1st contact w/ Arab world • Arab traders sold goods from China and India • Salt, spices, sugar, silks, etc. • No refrigeration yet • Salt and spices preserve meat • 1296- Marco Polo returns from China • Brings back all kinds of goodies never seen • Begins writing book about his trip and coolness of Asia • Inspires Columbus (supposedly)

  3. Growth of Trade • Traders could make a fortune selling these goods • Rich Europeans wanted these spices, perfumes, silks and stones • Cost was high because of “middlemen” • Travel over land was expensive and dangerous • Thieves waited along “Silk Road” • Began to look for all-water route to bypass Arab merchants and thieves by road • 2 Options • Around Africa • Sailing West to get East • Earth is a sphere

  4. The Renaissance • 1300’s- • Powerful renewal of intellectual and artistic creativity • French word meaning ‘rebirth’ • Began in Italy but spread across Europe over next 200 years • Renaissance changes way Europeans think of themselves and world • Encouraged them to pursue new ideas and set goals • Gives birth to ‘Age of Exploration’ and discovery

  5. Powerful Nations Emerge • 1400’s- population begins to increase • Merchants want more $$$ • Think if they can cut out middlemen make larger profit • Up till now Europe patchwork of small countries • Political power divided among local rulers • 1400’s- powerful monarchs take over • Spain, Portugal, England, France • Began to est. national laws, courts, taxes, and armies • New powerful kings looking for ways to increase trade, power, and wealth

  6. Technology’s Impact • Better Maps • Problem for early navigators • going off of mistaken info from traders and travelers • Gradually got better • Using reports of explorers • New maps showed • current directions • Showed lines of latitude • Better tools invented to help • Astrolabe • Measured position of stars to determine location • Acquired magnetic compass from Chinese • Could determine direction of sailing • Better Ships • Advances in ship design • Allow for long, ocean voyages • Stern rudder and triangular sail • Possible to sail against current, & into wind • Stole idea from Arabs • Late 1400’s- • Portugal invents 3- masted caravel • Ship w/ 3 sails • Faster and could carry more supplies • Float in shallow water • Spain and Portugal want their piece of spice trade from Italy • Begin race to find all-water route to Asia around Africa • Starts “Age of Exploration”

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