World History-Age of Exploration

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Portugal

• Goal: Find a sea route to Asia by sailing around Africa.

• Explored the West African coast and Indian Ocean.

• First Europeans to reach India by sea (Vasco da Gama).

• Claimed Brazil in the Americas.

• Influence: Led early navigation; built a large trading empire in Africa and Asia.

Spain

• Goal: Find a westward route to Asia; gain wealth and land.

• Explored the Caribbean, Central America, South America.

• Conquered Aztec (Cortés) and Inca (Pizarro) empires.

• Established large colonies with forced labor systems.

• Influence: Became the first global empire; major cultural and religious changes in the Americas.

England

• Goal: Compete with Spain/France; create profitable colonies.

• Explored North America (East Coast).

• Established the 13 Colonies.

• Focused on settlement, trade, and cash crops.

• Influence: Language, government, and culture shaped future United States and Canada.

France

• Goal: Expand trade, especially in furs; spread Christianity.

• Explored Canada, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River (New France).

• Built trading posts, not many large settlements.

• Influence: Strong cultural influence in Canada and parts of the U.S. (Louisiana).

The Netherlands (Dutch)

• Goal: Control trade routes and build a commercial empire.

• Explored Caribbean, parts of North America (New Amsterdam), Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• Powerful merchant fleet and banking systems.

• Influence: Major role in global trade; left cultural influence in New York and South Africa.

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Encounters Between Conquistadors & Indigenous Societies

• Spanish conquistadors met powerful civilizations like the Aztec and Inca.

• Encounters often led to conflict, alliances, and rapid conquest.

• Europeans used advanced weapons, horses, and disease advantage.

Destruction or Takeover of Major Civilizations

• Aztec Empire conquered by Hernán Cortés.

• Inca Empire conquered by Francisco Pizarro.

• European takeover caused collapse of political structures and cities.

Spread of Christianity & European Influence

• Missionaries attempted to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity.

• European languages, clothing, and culture spread widely.

• Churches, missions, and new social systems replaced traditional practices

Forced Labor & Loss of Indigenous Life and Leadership

• Systems like encomienda forced Indigenous people to work for colonizers.

• Harsh labor, violence, and imported diseases caused massive population decline.

• Traditional leaders were killed, replaced, or stripped of power.

• Entire communities were displaced or destroyed.

Encomienda (Definition)

A Spanish colonial system where Indigenous people were forced to work for Spanish settlers, who claimed they would protect them and teach them Christianity in return. In reality, it was a harsh forced-labor system that exploited Native populations.

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies exist to provide raw materials and buy finished goods to make the mother country wealthy.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between Europe, Africa, and the Americas after 1492.

Middle Passage

The brutal sea journey that brought enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Conquistador

Spanish soldier-explorers who conquered Indigenous empires in the Americas.

Triangular Trade:

Trade system linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas; included goods, enslaved people, and raw materials.

Missionary

A person sent to spread religion, especially Christianity, in new territories.

Caravel

A small, fast, and highly maneuverable sailing ship used for long voyages.

Astrolabe

A tool used by sailors to measure latitude by observing the stars.

Main causes of European overseas voyages

Desire for wealth, trade, land, and power.

Expansion of trade & new water routes

Europeans sought faster, safer paths to Asia and other resources.

Cultural encounters in the Americas:

Europeans met Indigenous peoples, leading to exchange, conflict, and colonization.

Atlantic Slave Trade & Middle Passage:

Enslaved Africans transported across the Atlantic to work in the Americas.

Atlantic Slave Trade & Middle Passage:

Enslaved Africans transported across the Atlantic to work in the Americas.

Economic systems of European powers:

Mercantilism; colonies provided raw materials and markets for finished goods.

Seeking goods from Asia

Spices, silk, and luxury items were highly valuable.

Competition among kingdoms:

Nations raced to claim territory before rivals.