Exploration and Discovery: Uncovering the World in the 15th Century
Exploration and Discovery in the 15th Century
Known and Unknown Territories
In the 15th century (1400s), Europeans were familiar with Europe and the territories surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, China, Japan, and India. However, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania remained largely unknown.
The Desire for Luxury Goods
Wealthy Europeans enjoyed luxury goods from Asia, such as spices (pepper, cloves, cinnamon), silks, and jewels. However, Muslim rulers along the trade routes imposed heavy taxes, making these goods expensive.
The School of Navigators
The School of Navigators, a group of Portuguese scientists and technicians, developed techniques for ocean navigation.
Henry the Navigator
Henry the Navigator founded the School of Navigators and supported voyages of exploration.
Trade Routes
Trade routes were used to transport goods between civilizations.
Portuguese Exploration of Africa
Motivated by the desire for new markets and opposition to Muslims, the Portuguese began exploring the coast of Africa.
Portuguese Voyages
- Diogo Cao (1482): From Portugal to the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa)
- Bartolomeu Dias (1487/1488): From Portugal to the Gulf of Guinea to the Cape of Good Hope (Africa)
- Vasco da Gama (1497/1499): From Portugal to the Cape of Good Hope to India, Ceylon, Maluku Islands, Philippines, China, and Japan
- Alvares Cabral (1500): From Portugal to Puerto Seguro (America)
Discovery of America
Christopher Columbus: An Italian navigator who believed the Earth was round and discovered America.
Catholic Monarchs: The King and Queen of Spain who supported Columbus’s voyage.
Amerigo Vespucci: An Italian navigator who realized America was a separate continent.
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): An agreement between Spain and Portugal dividing the world into their respective spheres of influence.
Ferdinand Magellan: A Portuguese navigator who led the first circumnavigation of the globe.
Juan Sebastian Elcano: The first navigator to complete the circumnavigation of the globe.
Pre-Columbian America
Pre-Columbian Peoples: The inhabitants of the Americas before Columbus’s arrival.
Polytheistic: Belief in multiple gods.
Cuzco: The capital of the Inca Empire.
Tenochtitlan: The capital of the Aztec Empire.
Viracocha: An Inca god.
The Incas
- Originated in the central Andes.
- Created a vast empire in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
- Ruled by the Inca, believed to be the son of the sun.
- Capital: Cuzco.
- Polytheistic, with gods such as Inti and Viracocha.
- Built temples, palaces, fortresses, and a network of roads.
The Mayas
- Lived in the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America.
- Organized into independent city-states ruled by chieftains.
- Economy based on agriculture (cocoa, tomato, cotton, corn).
- Polytheistic, with gods such as Chaac and Kukulcan.
- Built palaces and temples in the form of step pyramids.
The Aztecs
- Ruled by an emperor with political and religious power.
- Economy based on agriculture.
- Worshipped various gods and practiced human sacrifice.
- Built fortified cities, palaces, and temples in the form of pyramids.
Social and Economic Change
Black Death: A pandemic that devastated Europe in the 14th century.
Bourgeoisie: The middle or upper middle class.
Craftsmen: Skilled workers in trades or handicrafts.
Peasants: Agricultural laborers with limited land ownership.
Checks: Instructions to banks to transfer funds.
Bills of Exchange: Methods for settling international trade accounts.
Trading Companies: European organizations established to conduct trade and settlement in colonies.
Capitulations of Santa Fe
A document outlining the agreement between the Catholic Monarchs and Christopher Columbus for his voyage.
Marco Polo
An explorer and merchant who traveled through Asia along the Silk Road from 1271 to 1295.