1.3: European Exploration in the AMERICAS

Reasons for exploration

1. __Population increase__


1. Black plague killed __1/3__ of the pop. around __1350__
2. __Political unification__


1. Europeans had __centralized governments led by monarchs__
3. __Desire for luxury goods__ (main reason)


1. agricultural and commerical profits helped __upper class__, but they wanted __more__

Who __prevented__ Europeans from trading other continents, such as Asia?

__Muslims__…b/c land-based trade routes were controlled by them in the __14th__ and __15th centuries__

__Portugal__ helped __expand__ the world of trading…

* __Prince Henry the Navigator__ attempted a __water-basesd__ route to Asia, Atlantic Ocean, and around Africa
* Built __Caravels__ (trading ships)
* Used maritime charts and astronomical tables
* Improved navagation with __Astrolable & Stern-Post Rudder__

__Spain__ saw what Portugal did and __wanted the same__…

* Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon, monarchs of Spain, established __Christinaity__ and reconquered the __Iberian Peninsula from Muslims__
* established trading post in Africa, India, and Asia

Christopher Columbus ask the monarchs to explore and spread Christanity…

* In __1492__, he set sail __west__ across the __atlantic ocean__
* Landed in the __carribbean, Island of San Salvador__
* Saw __gold__ that the natives had
* Sailed back to Spain with __gold jewelry__ and a few __enslaved natives__
* (More __Spaniards__ explored the caribbean in South America)