Unit 4 Topic 2- AP WORLD

Introduction to Sea-Based Empires (1450-1750)

• The era marked a significant turning point in world history due to the rise of state-sponsored empires.

• Key factors included shifts in power distribution among European states and the recovery from the Black Death.

Factors Contributing to Maritime Exploration

State Sponsorship

• Maritime exploration was largely driven by monarchs consolidating power and establishing stronger military forces.

• Advances in taxation helped support exploration endeavors.

Demand for Spices

• Increased desire for Asian spices, particularly pepper, motivated European exploration.

• Remaining land routes were controlled by other empires, leading to high spice prices in Europe.

• Europeans sought alternative maritime routes to access these valuable trade goods.

Emergence of Sea-Based Empires

Portugal's Pioneering Role

• Portugal, located near Spain, focused on sea exploration due to lack of land expansion options.

• Prince Henry the Navigator played a crucial role in maritime exploration.

• Motivations for Exploration:

  • Technological Advancements: Developed ships like the caravel and carrack, and utilized tools like the compass and astrolabe.

  • Economic Motivations: Initially drawn to gold from trans-Saharan trade, later focused on spices.

  • Religious Motivations: Sought to spread Christianity and find legendary Eastern Christian monarch Prester John.

• Established a trading post empire focused on self-sufficient trading posts rather than full colonies.

  • Initial trading post in West Africa primarily sought gold.

  • Vasco da Gama's voyage around Africa led to the discovery of lucrative Indian Ocean trade opportunities.

Spain's Involvement

• Spain sought to compete with Portugal and began its own exploration efforts.

• Christopher Columbus's Voyage (1492):

  • Attempted to find a route to the Spice Islands by sailing west, mistakenly reached the Caribbean.

  • His voyages opened up the Americas for further exploration and colonization by Spain.

• Ferdinand Magellan's Expedition:

  • Successfully circumnavigated the globe, validating Spain's westward maritime ambitions.

• Spain ultimately opened up the transatlantic trade, which became more profitable than the Indian Ocean trade.

Growth of Other European Powers

• As power and wealth of Spain and Portugal grew, other European states pursued maritime exploration.

  • France:

    • Sought a westward passage to the Indian Ocean but shifted focus to North America and fur trading by establishing Quebec (1608).

  • England:

    • Initially hesitant to invest but became more active under Queen Elizabeth I, culminating in the establishment of Virginia and later Jamestown (1607).

  • The Netherlands:

    • Emerged as a powerful trading nation, challenging Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean.

    • Established New Amsterdam through explorations led by Henry Hudson (1608).

Conclusion

• The period of 1450 to 1750 marked the establishment of strong European sea-based empires driven by state sponsorship, technological innovations, and a quest for wealth and resources.

• The competition among European maritime powers reshaped trade networks and global interactions, setting the stage for future expansions and conflicts.