European Exploration1400’s-1600’s

Motivation to Explore

*The Renaissance*Spice Trade*The 3 G’s*Better equipment

The Renaissance • Renaissance means rebirth. (1400s-1700s)

The time when Europe was moving from Medieval times (Middle Ages) to Modern times. There was a renewed interest in learning and the arts.

• In the 1400s Europeans did not know much about the world.

• Maps of the world only included Europe, Asia, and the top of Africa.

• They thought there was only 1 ocean, the Ocean Sea.

- Uneducated people thought the world was flat. Educated people knew it was round, but they had no idea how big the worldactually was.

The Spice Trade - Spices from Asia, like

cinnamon, pepper, and cloves, were very popular in Europe. They were usedin part to cover up the tasteof bad meat. (No refrigerators)

It was very difficult to get the spices from Asia to Europe

over land so the spices were very expensive.

The Spice Trade

• European rulers realized that if they could find a new route to Asia – a water route in which to transport the spices, the rulers would become very rich.

The Three G’s

Gold- Economic

Countries in Europe (Spain, France,

Portugal) were competing with each other to be the most powerful and wealthiest.

One way to do this was to claim new land and use that lands natural resources. If an explorer found

new lands he would be paid in gold and riches by the king and queen.

The Three G’s

GOD – ReligiousIn the 1400s, there wasonly one religion inEurope, Christianity.European rulers werevery religious. Theywanted to converteveryone to Christianity. .

The Three G’s

Glory –

European countries were in competition with each other. The country who had the most land and wealth had the most power.

Explorers also didn’t mind if they became wealthy and famous

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Exploration led to many achievements for explorers and the rulers for whom they were sailing.

Improved Technology

Better ships• Advances in technology

including ships that were lighter and had triangular sails.

• More accurate mapsallowed explorers to setout on longer voyages.

EXCHANGE OF GOODS & IDEAS

• New foods, animals, and plants were introduced to the people of Europe

Claimed New Land

When explorers foundnew land , they would claim that land for thecountry they were sailing for.

I wonder how the people already living there

felt about this???

Impact on Native Americans

• Disease killed many Native Americans

• War between European nations on Native American land

• Slavery – First Native Americans then Africans forced to farm the land

• European diseases killed hundreds of thousands of Native Americans.

Motivation?

Achievement?

Negative Impact?

More accurate maps were created.

Motivation?

Achievement?

Negative Impact?

European rulers wanted to find a water route to Asia instead of traveling over land.

Motivation?

Achievement?

Negative Impact?

• Claimed new land in the name of the country they represented.

• Motivation?

• Achievement?

• Negative Impact?

• Different European countries like England and France fought wars on Native American lands.

Motivation?

Achievement?

Negative Impact?

• Wanted to spread Christianity

Motivation?

Achievement?

Negative Impact?