European Exploration & Conquest 1450-1650

Chapter 15

From ancient to medieval times, there was a widespread and thriving network of global trade among East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa. This network was transformed by the intrusion of new groups of Europeans. The Portuguese and the Dutch competed first with Muslim merchants and then with each other in Asia. They joined the British and French in the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Key Concepts

Europeans had a variety of motives as well as certain technological advantages that prompted the expansion of their trade in Asia and their exploration of the New World. “Gold, God and Glory” were not only motivators of exploration, but also led Europeans to colonize in ways that fostered economic development and Christianization.

Key Concepts

Among the consequences of the encounter of the Old World with the New was: a rapid and thorough decimation of the native population, the transformation of their economic and religious lives, an enormous expansion of the already existing African slave

trade. The Columbian exchange people, crops and animals led to radical changes in agriculture

and diets, as well as in values and technology gold and silver infused the European economy, inflation benefited the middle classes while hurting the poor and

those on fixed incomes. The increasing wealth of the middle class was an important

change in the social structure. Intellectual life saw the introduction of new ideas like skepticism

and cultural relativism as well as new forms of racism.

Key Concepts

For those of you interested in world history, the first section of this chapter is very rich with a detailed exploration of centers of wealth and trade around the globe. Although most of this material would not appear on an AP European history exam, it is important to understand it for background and the long-term legacy of colonialism. Pay particular attention to those sections that deal with Europe.

AP Tip

Setting the Stage for the New Age

I . The Commercial Revolution (c. 1500-1700) A. Causes

1. Roots in the Middle Ages (e.g. Hanseatic League) 2. Population growth: 70 million in 1500; 90 million in 1600; thus, more

consumers existed 3. “Price revolution”: (long slow upward trend in prices)

a. Increased food prices, increased volume of money, and the influx of gold & silver

b. Increased prices meant increase in supply of goods 4. States and emerging empires sought to increase their economic power 5. Rise in capitalism (laissez-faire): entrepreneurs invested money in their

own businesses or other business ventures. The middle class (bourgeoisie) led the way.

Banking The Fuggers in Germany and the Medicis in Italy were among the

leading bankers in Europe. Funded countless economic activities

Antwerp in Flanders became the banking and commercial center of Europe in the 16th century.

The Hanseatic League evolved from within the German states in the Middle Ages that eventually controlled trade in much of northern Europe well into the 16th century. The League was a mercantile association of numerous cities and towns.

Chartered companies: state provided monopolies in certain areas (e.g. British East India Co. and the Dutch East India Co.) These chartered companies became, in effect, a state within a state

with large fleets of ships and military power. Joint-stock companies: investors pooled resources for a common

purpose (forerunner of the modern corporation). One of the early prime examples of capitalism.

Stock markets emerged: e.g., the bourse in Antwerp Investors financed a company by purchasing shares of stock; as the

value of the company grew so did the value of the stock, and thus the investors’ profit.

The Rise of Capitalism

Slow transition from a European society that was almost completely rural and isolated, to a society that was more developed with the emergence of towns.

Many serfs, mostly in Western Europe, improved their social position as a result.

Wealth could be taxed The age of exploration developed as competing

nations sought to create new empires overseas Rise of nation states (“New Monarchs”) resulted in

competition for empires and trade Portugal and Spain sought to break the Italian monopoly

on trade with Asia.

The Transititon

Global economic network Silk Road – China

Silk & porcelains Indian Ocean – Roman Empire

Indian jewels; peppers, cloves, textiles, African slaves, gold, ivory

Malacca – Malaysia connected Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean

Multinational/Multicultural Euro contribution minimal until mid 1500s China, India, Ottoman Turkey, Safavid Persia

and Egypt held dominant roles

World Trade Before the Age of Exploration

Venice & Genoa During the Medieval period Venice became very

wealthy/powerful Excellent navy

Dominated the Mediterranean and Asian trade Slaves Luxury goods

silks Spices

Played important role in exploration of the New World Management of commercial enterprises – Sugar Plantations

Decline of dominance Ottomans overtook trade markets Portuguese & Dutch challenges on the other side Atlantic rather than the Mediterranean routes

World Trade Before the Age of Exploration

Mid-15thC Recuperation

Black Death Population growth

Gold Demand for spices & luxury goods

* More gold/silver sources to pay for goods* New routes – bypass Ottoman held Istanbul* Direct access to Asia

Christian Fervor Victory over last Muslim kingdom in Spain 1492 Convert non-Christians – Asia & Americas

Glory Conquest/adventure

Renaissance curiosity Thirst for knowledge

* Natural history* Geography* cosmology

Causes of European Exploration

“God, glory and gold” were the primary motives

Christian Crusaders in the 11th & 14th centuries created European interest in Asia and the Middle East

Rise of nation states (“New Monarchs”) resulted in competition for empires and trade

Portugal and Spain sought to break the Italian monopoly on trade with Asia.

Impact of Renaissance: search for knowledge Revival of Platonic studies, especially mathematics Awareness of living “at dawn of a new age” Invention of the printed book: resulted in the spread of

accurate texts and maps

Impact of the Renaissance

Technology Advances borrowed from the East

Caravel – replaced the galley ship Navigational tools

Astrolabe Magnetic compass

Military weapons Cannons – made exploration & conquest possible

Ptolemy’s Geography Inaccurate Encouraged the idea that sailing west from Eur.

to Asia was possible

Causes of European Exploration

Technological advances facilitated sea travel Advances in astronomy helped in charting locations at

sea Instruments

Magnetic compass (ca. 1300): pointed to the magnetic north making it easier to determine direction.

A number of instruments were used to determine latitude by measuring the altitude of celestial bodies. Quadrant (ca. 1450): used to determine latitude by measuring

the altitude of celestial bodies Mariner’s astrolabe (ca. 1480): used to determine latitude by

measuring the altitude of celestial bodies Cross staff (ca. 1550): used to find the latitude by measuring

the altitude of the Pole Star above the horizon

Technology

Portuguese caravel (ca. 1450) Lighter, faster ships than the Spanish Galleons and much

better suited for exploration along the African Coast Could sail into the wind

Lateen sail and rope riggings Enabled sails to be quickly and efficiently maneuvered to

take advantage of wind power Axial rudder (side rudder)

Provided for improved change of direction Gunpowder and cannons

Provided protection against hostile ships and facilitated the domination of indigenous peoples in lands explored

Ships

Portugal Prince Henry - The Navigator

Early voyages of the west coast of Africa Conquered the Arab city of Ceuta – Morocco

Initiated Eur. exploration & colonization Madeira Azores Mauritania – NW Africa

Cape of Good Hope Bartholomew Diaz 1487 Vasco da Gama 1497

Continued on to Calicut – India Returned laden with spices & textiles

Trading Posts estab. India

Violent conflicts with rulers Alfonso de Albuquerque defeated Malacca, Goa, and other trading centers – laid

foundation of Portuguese empire in Asia Brazil

Pedro Alvares Cabral Sighted Brazil - 1500

* Rich mineral resources & lucrative sugar plantations* 2 million African slaves

* Most important Portuguese colony

Empires

Portuguese in IndiaIn the sixteenth century Portuguese men moved to the Indian Ocean basin to work as administrators and traders. This Indo-Portuguese drawing shows a Portuguese man speaking to an Indian woman, perhaps making a proposal of marriage. (Biblioteca Casanatense, Rome)

Portuguese in India

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Spain Christopher Columbus

Genoese – sailed for Spain, Ferdinand & Isabella Hero or villain

Experienced in seafaring* Trade and circumventing other countries

Devote Christian* Missionary vision

Report to Spain Conversion of natives Gold & silver

Believed he reached Asia (until dying day) Contribution had extraordinary impact on world history

Conquest and colonization 2nd voyage Enslaved the people of Hispaniola

Forerunner of Encomienda system Inept at governing – led to royal control of his conquered areas

Empires

Spain cont. The Treaty of Tordesillas 1494

Made by Pope Alexander VI Divided New World

Spain – everything west Portugal – everything east Imaginary line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verdes Islands

Ferdinand Magellan Commissioned by Charles V – further voyages when no

gold/silver found in Caribbean Magellan 1st to circumnavigate the globe

Route to Asia via the Atlantic Horrific 3 yr voyage

Disasters at sea Starvation Mutinies Death of Magellan in the Philippines

Demonstrated the vastness of the Pacific Led Spain to abandon its competition win Portugal for the

Asian spice trade

Empires

Spain cont. Vasco Nunez de Balboa (1475-1517): Discovered the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of

Panama in 1513.

Spanish Conquistadores: began creating empires by conquering Indians Hernando Cortès (1485-1547): conquered the Aztecs in Mesoamerica by 1521. Francisco Pizarro (1478-1541): conquered the Inca Empire along the Andes mountains in

modern-day Peru in 1532

Empires

Spain cont. Hernando Cortes’

Conqueror - Mexico Few men – horses & cannons Fortuitous elements beyond his control

Dissention w/n the Aztec empire Demoralized population Weakened leadership

* Aztec Empire – large/wealthy/sophisticated * Montezuma & advisors made decisions logical for their culture –

paved the way for Spanish victory

Francisco Pizarro Incan conquest – Peru 1531

Incans known for engineering & construction Facing internal dissention Executed leader Atahualpa

Took until 1570 to gain control

Empires

Spain cont. New World colonies

200,000 Spaniards immigrated in the 16thC soldiers & drifters Estab large agricultural/ranching estates Sugar plantations Silver mines – Bolivia & Mexico

Encomienda system - forced labor Rapid decline of native pop

Brutal exploitation Led to the death of 1000s

Exposure to Eur disease Land converted from subsistence to cash crops

Bartolome’ de Las Casas Empathized with natives – lamented cruelty Argued for the rights of natives Charles V responded by abolishing the worst abuses

Empires

Holland – Dutch Dominated world maritime trade – 2nd ½ of 17thC Financial center since 16thC

1602 estab Dutch East India Company Expanded their spice markets

Ceylon Indonesian archipelago

* Monopoly – highly profitable Asian spice trade New World trade Briefly held a colony - New York

France & England Less dramatic Jon Cabot

Genoese Explored Newfoundland & New England for British

Jacques Cartier Explored Quebec for France

1st permanent settlement for France in New World

Empires

Portuguese in IndiaIn the sixteenth century Portuguese men moved to the Indian Ocean basin to work as administrators and traders. This Indo-Portuguese drawing shows a Portuguese man speaking to an Indian woman, perhaps making a proposal of marriage. (Biblioteca Casanatense, Rome)

Portuguese in India

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Philip IIAlonso Sanchez Coello (1531-1588), a Spanish court painter, portrays Philip II in an unflattering way. He tried to combine truth with respect, showing the king dressed in the austere black that was in fashion at the Spanish court, his hand fingering a rosary, and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece (an order of knighthood) around his neck. The son of Emperor Charles V, Philip came to the throne at the age of 29, and had control over all Spanish colonial territories, the Netherlands, and a large area of Southern Italy. He was also a force to be reckoned with in England. (Museo del Prado)

Philip II

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