The First Global Age: 1415-1796Europe, Africa, Asia, AmericasRenaissance explorers initiate a

dramatic new era of exploration!1492 Christopher Columbus sails

the ocean blue!NOW WHAT?!?!

Setting the scene…Think about the sacrifice!Capt. Ferdinand Magellan had

been commissioned to sail around the Americas to the Spice Islands◦1519: 5 ships with more than 250 crew left Spain

◦1522: ONE ship returned with only 18 malnourished, skeletal sailors

◦Magellan was NOT one of the survivors!

Why?!?!?!

WHAT? Spices!

WHY? Value!

Cinnamon,PepperNutmegCloves

Food Preservation

Flavor Enhancement

Medicinal Purposes

Aromatic Pleasure

Where?!?

Moluccas Map aka Spice Islands

Archipelago in modern-day Indonesia

WHO?!?!?1400s: Arab & Italian merchants controlled

most trade between Asia & Europe

The Bottom Line: NON-Italian Europeans wanted to cut out “the middle men” –the Italians…. Maximum profit = direct access to Asia

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Did you think it was Ferdinand, Isabella, Columbus, and Spain!

Make a Historical Prediction! Who takes the lead?!

How many of you think it

is Ferdinand, Isa

bella,

Columbus, and Spain?

PictureThis!!!!!!

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Portugal leads the way under the leadershipof Prince Henry.

Prince Henry (1394 – 1460)Ushered in the great

age of European exploration

Nicknamed “the Navigator” by the English

Never traveled the seas but took great financial risks

Priority: Mapping Africa

Prince Henry & AfricaRealized the GREAT POTENTIAL in AfricaEnvisioned a grand missionary field (HUGE

supporter of conversions)Believed he would find the sources of riches

the Muslim traders controlledHoped to find an easier way to reach Asia,

which meant going around Africa!Encouraged collaboration among scientists,

cartographers, shipbuilders, captains, and crews!

Inspired his nation to continue the quest around Africa after his death in 1460.

20 years later: Dead but not forgotten! Henry’s dream realized!

28 years later (1488) when Bartholomew Dias rounded the southern tip of Africa – referred to the Cape of Good Hope!

Cape of Good Hope – so named due to the high expectations of a sea route to Asia!

Sights on…. INDIA!1497: Vasco da Gama followed

Dias’ footsteps & after a 10 month voyage reached western India.

Returned with spices and made an ENORMOUS PROFIT!

Led to the creation of a vast trading empire!

Uh, what about Columbus?1497: da Gama reaches India!1492: Columbus sets sail – what happened?Columbus sails WEST!Rejected by PortugalPersuaded Ferdinand & Isabella to finance his

voyage who hoped for wealth & prestige.Set sail on Aug. 3, 1492 with land spotted on

October 12th

Spent several months cruising the islands of the Caribbean referring to those he encountered as “Indians.”

Returned to a hero’s welcome in 1493Made three later voyages!

TROUBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Spain vs. Portugal = Dividing the

world in half!Pope est. a Line of Demarcation:

dividing the non-European world into 2 zones

Specific terms described in the Treaty of Tordesillas 1494◦Spain had trading rights to the West

of the line◦Portugal had same rts. East of the

line

The search remains!The search for a direct route

continues!English, Dutch, French seek a NW

Passage through North America!1513: Spanish explorer Balboa

crosses Panama 1519: Portuguese captain

Magellan’s crew- first to circumnavigate the world!