Global Interactions LEQ: How did exploration

impact civilizations throughout the world?

European Exploration • In the 1400s, a period of European

exploration led to extensive global interaction.

• European interaction with Africa, Asia, and the Americas increased.

Africa• Europe’s interaction with Africa expanded when

Europeans began to search for a direct sea route to Asia.

• The Portuguese established forts / trading posts along Africa’s coast.

• Europeans knew very little about the African interior and stayed mainly along the coast.

• European involvement and demand for slaves expanded the African slave trade.

• By the 1600s, slaves were seen as the most important item in African trade.

Elmina Castle – Where European traders held and traded slaves.

Asia - Southeast Asia and India• Europeans went to Asia to trade and gain

access to spices and textiles. • The Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish

established a trading empire in Southeast Asia.

• By 1700, Britain dominated most of India. • European trading companies built armies,

waged wars, and governed territories in order to control their trading empires.

A Dutch explorer meeting the King of Sri Lanka.

1633 - Europeans bring gifts to Shah-Jahan ruler of India.

Asia - China• Europeans wanted to trade with China.• However, the Chinese were not interested in

European goods which they saw as inferior. • The Chinese viewed Europeans as barbarians.• The Chinese demanded payments in gold and

silver and limited trade port. • This created a trade deficit.

Chinese Emperor Qianlong Chinese silk robe and porcelain

Asia - Japan• At first, Japan welcomed Europeans. • They were allowed to trade and preach

Christianity. • New Japanese leaders felt Europeans were

ruining their culture and so all foreigners were banned.

• For 200 years, Japan isolated itself from the West.

Portuguese trade in Japan

Americas – Central America• After Columbus, Spanish conquistadors

(conquerors) came to the New World to gain fame, fortune, and spread Christianity.

• In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico with 600 men, 16 horses, and a few cannon.

• At first, the Aztecs welcomed Cortés and believed that he was an Aztec god.

• In 1521, Cortés conquered the Aztec empire and claimed their territory and wealth.

Aztec Human Sacrifice

Cortés and his Spanish soldiers confront Aztecs

What caused the Aztecs to fall?Weapons Aztec stone weapons were inferior to

Spanish guns and steel swords

Diseases European diseases like smallpox destroyed large portion of the Aztec population because they had no immunity, or resistance

Native Alliances Many native tribes helped the Spanish

Horses Natives had never seen horses before and this had a psychological effect

Americas –South America• In 1532, Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru

with 100 men.• He conquered the Inca empire in Peru. • He was aided by superior weapons,

native alliances, European diseases, and horses.

Incan Gold Knife