Europe Explores

the GlobeAge of Exploration

Notes

I.) Origins of overseas exploration

A. Reasons for voyages beginning in 1400’s:1. economic 2. religious reasons3. spirit of adventure

A. Portugal takes the lead and heads east!

1. Henry the Navigator- 1420 explores west coast of Africa- discovers new source for gold

2. Bartholomeu Dias - 1488 rounds Cape of Good Hope

(Africa)

3. Vasco da Gama- 1498 rounds Cape of Good Hope and cuts

across to India (spices)

II.) The Explorers

B. Spain takes a route west!

1. Christopher Columbus- travels west to find sea route to Asia- 1492 discovers Hispaniola and Cuba

2. Ferdinand Magellan- 1519 sets sail to find passage through America- 1520 passes through “Strait of Magellan”- first person to circumnavigate the globe

C. Treaty of Tordesillas: signed 1494; line in Atlantic giving Spain trade rights to route to Americas & trade rights to Africa

1. Amerigo Vespucci (Portugal & Spain)- crossed Atlantic several times

between 1497-1504- argued land was not Asia, called it

“New World”- mapmakers begin calling land

“America”

D. Britain begins to build an empire!1. 1500’s = busy with problems at home2. 1600’s = begin to explore and colonize

E. Queen Elizabeth I1. wants to expand Britain’s power overseas2. grants a charter to the British East India Company

- set up trading posts, expand influence, defend interests

F. John Cabot (1497-98)1. explores Americas (New England coast)

for EnglandG. Sea Dogs: English sea captains/pirates/traders who sail

Atlantic challenging Spain & Portugal for sea tradeExamples: Sir Francis Drake

Sir Walter RaleighSir John Hawkins

H. Henry Hudson 1. explores Americas for NW Passage & discovers Hudson Bay & River

I. British Settlements in America1. Jamestown (1607)2. Plymouth (1620)