Age of European Exploration

What were the main motives for European exploration?

To find new trade routes, especially for spices like black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and nutmeg — most of which came from India and Southeast Asia. Also, to spread Christianity, gain wealth, and expand empires.

Who was Marco Polo and why is he important?

A Venetian merchant who traveled to China in 1271, met Kublai Khan, and returned after 24 years. His stories inspired future explorers like Columbus.

Who was John of Montecorvino?

A Franciscan missionary who founded the first Catholic missions in India and China in the late 1200s and became Archbishops of Peking.

What did Bartolomeu Dias do?

In 1488, Dias was the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, discovering the Cape of Good Hope and proving a sea route to India was possible.

What did Vasco de Gama accomplish?

In 1497-1499, he became the first European to reach India by sea, boosting Portugal’s access to spice trade and global influence.

What did Pedro Alvares Cabral do?

He “discovered” Brazil in 1500 before continuing to India, helping to expand Portugese territories in both South America and Asia.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)?

A deal between Spain and Portugal dividing newly discovered lands — Spain got the west, Portugal the east (including Brazil).

What was Ferdinand Magellan’s big achievement?

His crew was the first to sail around the world (1519-1522). Though Magellan died in the Philippines, his voyage proved the Earth could be circumnavigated.

Who was Amerigo Vespucci?

An explorer who proved the Americas were not part of Asia, and his name was later used to label the continents “America”.

What did Hernan Cortes do?

He led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico (1519-1521) by allying with Aztec enemies and capturing Tenochitilan.

Who was Francisco Pizarro?

A Spanish conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire in Peru (1531-34), expanding Spain’s territory further into South America.

Who was Bartolome de Las Casas and what did he do?

A former slaveholder turned Dominican priest who defended Indigenous rights, wrote A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, and debated the humanity of Native Americans in 1550.

What were the Laws of the Indies?

• Requerimiento (1513): demanded Native submission to Christianity

• Law of Burgos (1513): tried to protect Indigenous people from abuse.

• News Laws (1542): banned most Native slavery (but largely ignored)

What was the encomienda system?

A Spanish system where colonists were given land and could force Indigenous people or Africans to work as laborers, often on plantations producing cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and coffee.

What was the Triangle Trade?

A system of trade between Europe (goods), Africa (slaves), and the Americas (cash crops) — driven by plantation labor.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

A massive exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and culture between the Old World and New World after 1492.

• To Europe: corn, tomatoes, potatoes, cacao, tobacco

• To the Americans: smallpox, measles, horses, sugarcane

Who was St. Francis Xavier?

One of the first Jesuits, he led missions in India and Japan (arrived 1549), spreading Christianity across Asia under the Portugese empire.

Who was Matteo Ricci?

A Jesuit missionary who mastered Chinese, entered the Forbidden City in 1601, and shared Western ideas with Chinese and Korean scholars.