"In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."

Throughout the Renaissance, Reformation and Wars of Religion, exploration was also occurring. This period ultimately resulted in the spread of European dominance in the New World in the west and Asia in the east.

In the 15th century, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks resulting in the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. This empire became a presence which intimidated the Europeans in regards to trading with the east. As the Ottomans established themselves, western European states such as Spain, France, and England became more politically centralized resulting in a growing sense of national pride, ambition, and sense of adventure.

As they lost followers to Protestantism, the Catholic church and nations still associated with it, began to increase exploration efforts seeing it as a way to gain new converts. "Glory, God and Gold" became the primary factors motivating exploration. Technological innovations, such as new sailing and navigational developments (caravel ships, the astrolabe, and the magnetic compass), which were in large part a byproduct of the intellectual curiosity of the Renaissance, provided the new explorers the tools and means to face the significant challenge of reaching the eastern trading markets by water as opposed to land. The concept of excellence and individualism which emerged from the Renaissance encouraged the explorers (as well as the nations which funded them) to make their mark and earn their fortune.

With an increase in exploration came conflicts between nations. Portugal was the first to begin focusing on exploration with Prince Henry the Navigator's establishment of a naval school. The Portuguese were also the first to explore an all water route from Western Europe to Asia via circumventing the continent of Africa. The first to make it to the Cape of Good Hope (the southern tip of Africa) was Bartholomew Dias while Vasco da Gama rounded the tip and arrived in India, eventually resulting in Portuguese dominance of Indian trade. Later Ferdinand Magellan's expedition will circle the globe. The Portuguese focus largely on coastal Africa (trading slaves and gold) and Asia. Ultimately, the Portuguese will focus on slave trade as plantations in the western world demand an increasing number of laborers for the fields.

Did you know? Round vs flat.
The persistent myth is that the majority of the world thought the world was flat until Columbus proved the world was round. But the Ancient Greeks had actually discussed a round world and many scholars in the Middle Ages continued that school of thought. Spain quickly followed, in part to establish themselves as a leading Catholic nation following the defeat of the Muslims and the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella. Thus when Christopher Columbus requested funds to test a new theory, he was granted them. Columbus believed that the world was round (although he thought it was much smaller), making the best and shortest way to reach the east was to sail west. When Columbus reached the West Indies, he was sure he had reached India (and never publicly admitted that he had not). While bringing Christianity to the west, Columbus was also responsible directly and indirectly for the death and enslavement of natives of the region.

The two nations clashed over the New World almost instantaneously. Pope Alexander VI stepped in and effectively split the world into 2 parts with the Treaty of Tordesillas. Spain was granted exclusive exploration rights in the west (with the exception of Brazil that had already been claimed by Portugal) and Portugal was granted exclusive exploration rights in the east. The dividing line is known as the Line of Demarcation. Keep in mind - The Treaty of Tordesillas was established between Spain and Portugal, other nations were not bound by the treaty thus the continued French and British encroachment in North America.

Map - Treaty of Tordesillas

Other nations such as England and France soon follow Spain and Portugal's lead. The English settle along the eastern coast for various reasons ranging from religious colonization to the desire for land and wealth. The French dominate eastern Canadian territories as well as land west of the Mississippi River. Early French settlements were established around trading posts dealing with fur pelts.

Regardless of the nation, Europeans clearly impacted the native peoples of the new World. Spanish conquistadors conquered for God, Glory, and Gold. Native peoples were used as forced labor while African slaves were imported to take the place of the natives who were being wiped out. In the Caribbean, virtually the entire native population was killed through disease, murder, and labor. Europe is introduced to new crops, animals, and commodities resulting in the beginnings of a new economic system, mercantilism. Mercantilism (dominated by government) is based on the availability of cheap raw materials from colonies which are used for manufacture while the manufactured goods are sold to a captured market in the colonies. This economic system will reign supreme until industrialization begins to dominate making way for capitalism. Many states used the process of Triangular Trade to allow three way trade vs the traditional two.

It is a good idea to look over the reasons for exploration, major explorers and areas explored. Use the activity below to find out more.

And watch the following Crash Course videos over exploration.

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