Ch. 17: The Maritime Ch. 17: The Maritime Revolution, to 1550Revolution, to 1550

I. Global Maritime Expansion I. Global Maritime Expansion Before 1450Before 1450

A. The Pacific OceanA. The Pacific Ocean

i.i. Over several thousand years, people Over several thousand years, people from the Malay peninsula crossed to from the Malay peninsula crossed to the islands of the East Indies, New the islands of the East Indies, New Guinea, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Guinea, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Marquesas, New Zealand, and other Marquesas, New Zealand, and other islands out to Hawaii.islands out to Hawaii.

ii.ii. Polynesian expansion was the result Polynesian expansion was the result of planned voyages with the intent of of planned voyages with the intent of establishing colonies. Mariners establishing colonies. Mariners navigated by stars and by navigated by stars and by observations of ocean currents and observations of ocean currents and evidence of land.evidence of land.

B. The Indian OceanB. The Indian Ocean

i. Malayo-Indonesians colonized i. Malayo-Indonesians colonized Madagascar in a series of voyages that Madagascar in a series of voyages that continued through the 15th century.continued through the 15th century.

ii. Arab seafarers used the monsoon ii. Arab seafarers used the monsoon patterns to establish Indian Ocean patterns to establish Indian Ocean trade routes. The routes flourished as trade routes. The routes flourished as the rise of Islam created new markets the rise of Islam created new markets and new networks of Muslim traders.and new networks of Muslim traders.

► iii. Chinese Ming dynasty sponsored iii. Chinese Ming dynasty sponsored voyages 1405-1433. Voyages on voyages 1405-1433. Voyages on grand scale, involving fleets of over 60 grand scale, involving fleets of over 60 large “treasure ships” & hundreds of large “treasure ships” & hundreds of support vessels.support vessels.

► iv. Treasure ships carried out trade in iv. Treasure ships carried out trade in luxury goods (silk, precious metals) as luxury goods (silk, precious metals) as well as stimulating diplomatic well as stimulating diplomatic relations w/ African and Asian states. relations w/ African and Asian states. Voyages ended in 1433 (not Voyages ended in 1433 (not profitable, opposed in court).profitable, opposed in court).

c. The Atlantic Oceanc. The Atlantic Ocean

► i. During relatively warm centuries of i. During relatively warm centuries of early MA, the Vikings, navigating by early MA, the Vikings, navigating by stars & seas, explored/settled stars & seas, explored/settled Iceland, Greenland, & Newfoundland Iceland, Greenland, & Newfoundland (Vinland). When colder climate (Vinland). When colder climate returned after 1200, northern returned after 1200, northern settlements in Greenland & settlements in Greenland & settlement in Newfoundland were settlement in Newfoundland were abandoned.abandoned.

► ii. Some southern Europeans and ii. Some southern Europeans and Africans attempted to explore the Africans attempted to explore the Atlantic (Sea of Darkness) in 14th & Atlantic (Sea of Darkness) in 14th & 15th centuries. Voyagers from 15th centuries. Voyagers from Genoa (1291) and Mali (1300s) never Genoa (1291) and Mali (1300s) never returned. Genoese & Portuguese returned. Genoese & Portuguese explorers discovered & settled the explorers discovered & settled the Madeiras, Azores, & Canaries in 14th Madeiras, Azores, & Canaries in 14th cen.cen.

► iii. In Americas, the S. American iii. In Americas, the S. American Arawak colonized the Lesser & Arawak colonized the Lesser & Greater Antilles by 1000. The Greater Antilles by 1000. The Carib (cannibals) followed, 1st to Carib (cannibals) followed, 1st to Lesser & (by late 15th cen.) then Lesser & (by late 15th cen.) then to Greater.to Greater.

II. European Expansion, II. European Expansion, 1400-15501400-1550

a. Background to European a. Background to European ExpansionExpansion

► Iberian kingdoms sponsored voyages Iberian kingdoms sponsored voyages for a number of reasons, including for a number of reasons, including adventurous personalities of leaders & adventurous personalities of leaders & long-term trends in Eur. historical long-term trends in Eur. historical dev.: revival of trade, struggle dev.: revival of trade, struggle w/Islam for control of Mediterranean, w/Islam for control of Mediterranean, curiosity about outside world, & curiosity about outside world, & alliances between rulers & merchants.alliances between rulers & merchants.

►ii. City-states of N. Italy had no incentive ii. City-states of N. Italy had no incentive for Atlantic routes because they had a for Atlantic routes because they had a system of alliances & trade with the system of alliances & trade with the Muslims that gave them a monopoly on Muslims that gave them a monopoly on Asian goods. (Also, Italian ships were Asian goods. (Also, Italian ships were designed for sheltered Mediterranean & designed for sheltered Mediterranean & could not handle Atlantic storms.)could not handle Atlantic storms.)

►iii. Iberian kingdoms had a history of iii. Iberian kingdoms had a history of centuries of warfare w/Muslims, no centuries of warfare w/Muslims, no significant share in Med. trade, advanced significant share in Med. trade, advanced shipbuilding & cannon technology, were shipbuilding & cannon technology, were open to new geographical knowledge, & open to new geographical knowledge, & had exceptional leaders.had exceptional leaders.

b. Portuguese Voyagesb. Portuguese Voyages► i. Portuguese gained more knowledge i. Portuguese gained more knowledge

of gold & slaves S. of Sahara when of gold & slaves S. of Sahara when forces, led by Prince Henry (the forces, led by Prince Henry (the Navigator) captured Moroccan port of Navigator) captured Moroccan port of Ceuta. Henry then sponsored a Ceuta. Henry then sponsored a research & navigation institute @ research & navigation institute @ Sagres to collect info about & send Sagres to collect info about & send expeditions to sub-expeditions to sub-Saharan Africa.Saharan Africa.

► ii. Research institute staff studied & ii. Research institute staff studied & improved navigational instruments, improved navigational instruments, including compass & astrolabe. including compass & astrolabe. Designed new vessel, the caravel, w/ Designed new vessel, the caravel, w/ small size, shallow draft, square & small size, shallow draft, square & lateen sails, & cannon making it well-lateen sails, & cannon making it well-suited for exploration.suited for exploration.

► iii. Portuguese explored the African iii. Portuguese explored the African coast, reaching Cape Verde in 1444 & coast, reaching Cape Verde in 1444 & learning to return to Portugal faster by learning to return to Portugal faster by sailing NW into the Atlantic & picking sailing NW into the Atlantic & picking up prevailing westerly winds.up prevailing westerly winds.

► iv. Voyages initially financed by iv. Voyages initially financed by income from properties held by Prince income from properties held by Prince Henry’s Order of Christ. 1440s, Henry’s Order of Christ. 1440s, voyages began to produce a financial voyages began to produce a financial return (1st from slave trade, then from return (1st from slave trade, then from gold).gold).

► v. Beginning in 1469, exploration sped v. Beginning in 1469, exploration sped up as private commercial enterprises up as private commercial enterprises got involved. Lisbon merchant Fernao got involved. Lisbon merchant Fernao Gomes sent voyages that Gomes sent voyages that discovered/developed island of Sao discovered/developed island of Sao Tome & explored Gold Coast. Tome & explored Gold Coast. Bartolomeu Dias rounded Africa (Cape Bartolomeu Dias rounded Africa (Cape of Storms, now Good Hope) & Vasco of Storms, now Good Hope) & Vasco da Gama established direct contact w/ da Gama established direct contact w/ India, laying the basis for a India, laying the basis for a Portuguese maritime trading empire.Portuguese maritime trading empire.

c. Spanish Voyagesc. Spanish Voyages► i. When Columbus approached Spain i. When Columbus approached Spain

w/ project of finding a new route to w/ project of finding a new route to Asia, the Portuguese had already Asia, the Portuguese had already established their Indian Ocean route. established their Indian Ocean route. Ferdinand & Isabella agreed to fund Ferdinand & Isabella agreed to fund a modest voyage (& celebrate a modest voyage (& celebrate Reconquista), & Columbus sailed in Reconquista), & Columbus sailed in 1492 w/ letters of intro to Asian 1492 w/ letters of intro to Asian rulers & an Arabic rulers & an Arabic translator.translator.

► ii. After 3 voyages, ii. After 3 voyages, Columbus still believed Columbus still believed he had found Asia, but he had found Asia, but others realized they others realized they were “new” lands were “new” lands (Amerigo Vespucci). (Amerigo Vespucci). New discoveries led to New discoveries led to Spain & Portugal Spain & Portugal signing Treaty of signing Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing Tordesillas, dividing world along a line down world along a line down the center of the N. the center of the N. Atlantic. Spain got W., Atlantic. Spain got W., Portugal got E. (and so Portugal got E. (and so got Brazil).got Brazil).

► iii. Magellan’s voyage across the iii. Magellan’s voyage across the Pacific confirmed Portugal’s claim Pacific confirmed Portugal’s claim to the Moluccas & established a to the Moluccas & established a Spanish claim to Philippines. 1st Spanish claim to Philippines. 1st circumnavigation.circumnavigation.

III. Encounters with Europe, III. Encounters with Europe, 1450-15501450-1550

a. Western Africaa. Western Africa

► i. During 15th cen., many Africans i. During 15th cen., many Africans welcomed Portuguese & profited welcomed Portuguese & profited from/held upper hand in trade. In from/held upper hand in trade. In return for gold, Africans received a return for gold, Africans received a variety of Asian, African, & European variety of Asian, African, & European goods (including firearms). goods (including firearms). Interaction between Portuguese & Interaction between Portuguese & African rulers varied place-to-place.African rulers varied place-to-place.

► ii. The oba (king) of Benin sent an ii. The oba (king) of Benin sent an ambassador to Portugal & established ambassador to Portugal & established a royal monopoly on Portuguese a royal monopoly on Portuguese trade. Benin exported a number of trade. Benin exported a number of goods, including slaves, & rulers goods, including slaves, & rulers showed a mild interest in Christianity. showed a mild interest in Christianity. After 1538, Benin limited contact w/ After 1538, Benin limited contact w/ Portugal, declining missionaries & Portugal, declining missionaries & closing market in male slaves.closing market in male slaves.

► iii. Kingdom of Kongo had fewer goods iii. Kingdom of Kongo had fewer goods & thus relied more on slave trade. & thus relied more on slave trade. When Christian king Afonso I lost When Christian king Afonso I lost monopoly over slave trade his power monopoly over slave trade his power was weakened & subjects revolted.was weakened & subjects revolted.

b. Eastern Africab. Eastern Africa► Some Muslim states were suspicious of Some Muslim states were suspicious of

the Portuguese, while others welcomed the Portuguese, while others welcomed them as allies in struggle against them as allies in struggle against neighbors. On Swahili Coast, Malindi neighbors. On Swahili Coast, Malindi befriended Portuguese & was spared befriended Portuguese & was spared when Portuguese attacked/looted many when Portuguese attacked/looted many other Swahili city-states in 1505.other Swahili city-states in 1505.

► Christian Ethiopia sought & gained Christian Ethiopia sought & gained Portuguese support in war against Portuguese support in war against Muslims of Adal. Muslims defeated, but Muslims of Adal. Muslims defeated, but Ethiopians failed to make a long-term Ethiopians failed to make a long-term alliance w/ Portuguese because they alliance w/ Portuguese because they refused to transfer allegiance from refused to transfer allegiance from patriarch of Alexandria to pope.patriarch of Alexandria to pope.

c. Indian Ocean Statesc. Indian Ocean States

► i. When da Gama arrived in Calicut in i. When da Gama arrived in Calicut in 1498 he made a poor impression w/ 1498 he made a poor impression w/ simple gifts. Nonetheless, Portuguese simple gifts. Nonetheless, Portuguese were determined to control I.O. trade, & were determined to control I.O. trade, & superior ships & firepower gave them superior ships & firepower gave them ability to do so.ability to do so.

► ii. In order to assert control, Portuguese ii. In order to assert control, Portuguese bombarded Swahili city-states in 1505, bombarded Swahili city-states in 1505, captured Indian port of Goa in 1510, & captured Indian port of Goa in 1510, & took Hormuz in 1515. Extending took Hormuz in 1515. Extending eastward, captured Malacca in 1511 & eastward, captured Malacca in 1511 & set up trading post @ Macao in S. China set up trading post @ Macao in S. China in 1557.in 1557.

► iii. Portuguese used control over major iii. Portuguese used control over major ports to require that all spices be ports to require that all spices be carried in Portuguese ships and that all carried in Portuguese ships and that all other ships purchase Portuguese other ships purchase Portuguese passports & pay customs duties to passports & pay customs duties to Portuguese.Portuguese.

► iv. Reactions to aggression varied. iv. Reactions to aggression varied. Mughal emperors took no action; Mughal emperors took no action; Ottomans resisted & maintained Ottomans resisted & maintained superiority on Red Sea & Persian superiority on Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Some smaller states Gulf. Some smaller states cooperated; others tried cooperated; others tried evasion & resistance.evasion & resistance.

► v. Portuguese never gained complete v. Portuguese never gained complete control of I.O. trade, but dominated it control of I.O. trade, but dominated it enough to bring themselves enough to bring themselves considerable profit & break Italian considerable profit & break Italian city-states’ monopoly on pepper.city-states’ monopoly on pepper.

d. The Americasd. The Americas

► i. While the Portuguese built a i. While the Portuguese built a maritime trading empire in Africa & maritime trading empire in Africa & Asia, the Spanish built a territorial Asia, the Spanish built a territorial empire in the Americas. Reasons for empire in the Americas. Reasons for difference: isolation of Amerindian difference: isolation of Amerindian communities & lack of resistance to communities & lack of resistance to Old World diseases.Old World diseases.

► ii. Arawak: agricultural. Worked gold but ii. Arawak: agricultural. Worked gold but no long-distance trade. No iron. Spanish no long-distance trade. No iron. Spanish wars killed tens of thousands of Arawaks wars killed tens of thousands of Arawaks & undermined economy; by 1510, & undermined economy; by 1510, remaining Arawak of Hispaniola were remaining Arawak of Hispaniola were forced to serve as laborers for Spanish.forced to serve as laborers for Spanish.

► iii. In Antilles, extension of actions against iii. In Antilles, extension of actions against Muslims in previous centuries: defeating Muslims in previous centuries: defeating non-Christians & putting them & their non-Christians & putting them & their lands under Christian control. Actions of lands under Christian control. Actions of conquistadors in other parts of Caribbean conquistadors in other parts of Caribbean followed same pattern.followed same pattern.

► iv. On mainland, Hernan Cortes relied iv. On mainland, Hernan Cortes relied on native alliances, cavalry charges, on native alliances, cavalry charges, steel swords, & cannon to defeat steel swords, & cannon to defeat Aztecs & capture Tenochtitlan. Aztecs & capture Tenochtitlan. Conquest aided by spread of Conquest aided by spread of smallpox. Similarly, Francisco smallpox. Similarly, Francisco Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca was Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca was made possible by prior spread of made possible by prior spread of smallpox among Inca population, smallpox among Inca population, dissatisfaction of Inca Empire’s dissatisfaction of Inca Empire’s recently conquered peoples, & by recently conquered peoples, & by Spanish cannon & steel swords.Spanish cannon & steel swords.

e. Patterns of Dominancee. Patterns of Dominance

► i. 3 factors contributed to Spain’s ability to i. 3 factors contributed to Spain’s ability to establish a vast land empire in the establish a vast land empire in the Americas: 1) Amerindians had no Americas: 1) Amerindians had no resistance to E. Hemisphere diseases (part resistance to E. Hemisphere diseases (part of Columbian Exchange); 2) Spanish of Columbian Exchange); 2) Spanish superior military technology (swords, superior military technology (swords, armor, horses, some firearms), combined w/ armor, horses, some firearms), combined w/ aggressive fighting techniques & local aggressive fighting techniques & local allies; 3) Spain’s ability to apply pattern of allies; 3) Spain’s ability to apply pattern of conquest, forced labor, & forced conversion conquest, forced labor, & forced conversion – pattern from Reconquista – to Americas.– pattern from Reconquista – to Americas.

► ii. In the Eastern Hemisphere, ii. In the Eastern Hemisphere, Africans & Asians shared same Africans & Asians shared same diseases as Europeans & had enough diseases as Europeans & had enough numbers to resist Eur. forces when numbers to resist Eur. forces when necessary. Portuguese & Spanish necessary. Portuguese & Spanish were able to gain profit by engaging were able to gain profit by engaging in existing trade networks, which in existing trade networks, which meant they could gain wealth meant they could gain wealth without conquering territory.without conquering territory.

IV. ConclusionIV. Conclusion

i. The opening of new trade routes linking i. The opening of new trade routes linking the Indian O., the Atlantic, and the Pacific the Indian O., the Atlantic, and the Pacific marks a turning point in world history: marks a turning point in world history: the beginning of the “modern” period.the beginning of the “modern” period.

ii. The simple fact of opening new trade ii. The simple fact of opening new trade routes was not unprecedented. What routes was not unprecedented. What was significant about the European was significant about the European maritime rev. was that it laid the basis maritime rev. was that it laid the basis for long-term European economic & for long-term European economic & territorial expansion and for a new age of territorial expansion and for a new age of growing global interaction.growing global interaction.