HIST 1011 930-1045 TR-Age of Exploration Power Point-Reagan Fancher

The Age of Exploration and Global Contact

Time period: ca. 1450-1571

Key Concepts

ZeitgeistDefinition: The mind or soul of the times; each age has its own climate of opinion shaped by cultural, social, and political influences. Understanding of historical events is significantly influenced by the prevailing attitudes and feelings of the present day.

EthicsDefinition: The study of standards of conduct and moral judgment. It examines how values shape human actions and societal norms, particularly during the transformative Age of Exploration.

Divine WillBelief in a divine force that oversees and guides earthly events, influencing explorers' motivations by framing their journeys as not just adventures but divinely sanctioned missions.

Group FeelingConcept introduced by Ibn Khaldun where leaders are expected to inspire unity and cooperation within their groups, emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership, collective identity, and shared goals in shaping societies.

Great Man TheoryThis theory posits that history is primarily shaped by the actions and influence of extraordinary individuals who rise to leadership positions and profoundly impact their societies and the world.

EconomicsFocus: Analysis of economic factors as pivotal driving forces behind exploration and colonization, integrating ideas from Karl Marx on the relationships between economic conditions and societal structures.

Periodic CycleA theory suggesting that civilizations experience cycles of growth and decline, influenced by youthful leaders, referred to as "Young lions," who drive innovation and change.

GeographyDescribed as the canvas of history; past geographical configurations and events shape the dynamics of current realities, including trade routes and power structures.

Indian OceanKnown as the "Southern Ocean" by the Chinese and labeled as "the land below the winds" by Arab and Indian cultures. The Indian Ocean was critical for global trade, facilitating exchanges between East Africa, Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia.

Commerce & Colonization

Southeast Asian peoples participated in extensive trade networks with merchants from Malaysia, China, India, and East Africa as early as the first millennium BC, reflecting an early form of globalization despite the region’s sparse population density.

Culture & Society

Austronesian Language FamilyThis language family includes languages spoken by indigenous peoples across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, reflecting deep cultural connections and shared ancestry.

Social Practices

• Marriages: Typically occurred around age twenty, emphasizing early adulthood and social stability.

• Bride wealth: A customary practice where the groom pays a sum to the bride’s family, with the retained wealth remaining under the bride's control, indicating gender dynamics and societal values regarding women.

• Divorce: Stigmas are generally absent; either party can initiate divorce, reflecting societal flexibility and individual autonomy in marital relations.

Islamic Influence

This influence spread significantly after 1400 AD due to the conversions of local rulers by Arab missionaries, which led to the establishment of Islam as a dominant religion in various regions and affected trade relations.

• Zheng He (1371-1433): A Chinese admiral whose voyages, starting in 1405, revolutionized trade in Southeast Asia and established Malacca as a pivotal center for commerce.

Competition!

Significant competition in trade began post-1511 with the Portuguese capture of Malacca, prompting European nations to explore for eastern goods such as spices and silks, thus intensifying global exploration initiatives.

Marco PoloA Venetian merchant whose travel accounts in "The Travels of Marco Polo" provided detailed insights into Asian cultures and economies, sparking European interest in Asian commerce and leading to increased exploration efforts.

Motives for Exploration

• Northern Italian Merchants: Controlled lucrative monopolies on western imports, driven to discover new routes to reduce reliance on intermediaries.

• Other Europeans: Sought alternative sea routes to the East Indies to bypass these monopolies, showcasing the complexity of economic motivations behind exploration.

Tools for Exploration

• Ptolemy’s Geography: An ancient work that was reintroduced to Europe, providing critical information on navigation and cartography.

• Caravels: Innovative small three-mast ships developed by the Portuguese specifically for oceanic exploration, enabling longer voyages and more effective sea travel.

Significant Figures

• Prince Henry the Navigator: A key figure in promoting maritime exploration through education in navigation and geography, significantly influencing the Age of Exploration.

• Bartolomeu Diaz: Notable for being the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope, marking a significant advancement in navigation, even though he did not reach his ultimate destination.

• Vasco da Gama: First European to reach India by sea, returning from Calicut with valuable spices and goods, significantly impacting European trade with Asia.

Columbus's Voyage

Enter ColumbusCommissioned by the Spanish monarchy, Columbus set sail with three ships (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria) on August 3, 1492.

• Date of Landing: October 12, 1492; Columbus mistakenly identified the Bahamas as the East Indies, referring to the indigenous inhabitants as "Indians," which had profound implications for European colonization and indigenous relations.

Historical Context

While widely credited with discovering America, it is crucial to note that Vikings had reached the continent by the late 10th century, making Columbus not the first European in the Americas.

Line of Demarcation

Established by Pope Alexander VI in May 1493 to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, highlighting the rivalry between the two powers.

• Treaty of Tordesillas: Revised the demarcation line in June 1494, moving it westward and granting Portugal additional territories, exemplifying the impact of papal authority on geopolitical boundaries.

Conquistadores

Soldiers and explorers from Spain who sought wealth and land in the New World, exemplifying the aggressive nature of Spanish colonial expansion.

• Hernando Cortez: Known for landing in Mexico with intentions to conquer the Aztec Empire, driven by both greed and the promise of glory.

  • The Aztecs: Led by Moctezuma II, who initially mistook Cortez and his men for deities due to their advanced weaponry and armor, leading to critical alliances against the Spanish.

  • The Fall of Tenochtitlan: Marked by events such as El Noche Triste (Night of Sadness) and culminating in the Siege of Tenochtitlan, which concluded on August 14, 1521, leading to the Spanish conquest of the empire.

Inca Empire and Pizarro

BackgroundFrancisco Pizarro arrived in the midst of the Incan civil war, taking advantage of internal strife to establish Spanish dominance.

• Captured Atahualpa: His capture led to the extraction of vast wealth and solidified Spanish control over the Inca Empire.

• Resistance: Manco Inca, the legitimate heir, led several uprisings against Spanish rule, reflecting deep-seated resistance to colonial domination.

Economic Policies in Colonies

Mercantile TheoryEstablishes the economic framework favoring the nation-state over individual interests, directing colonial trade strategies and resource extraction.

• Viceroyalties: Administrative divisions established by Spain in the Americas to maintain control and governance over extensive territories.

• Quinto and Galleons: The Crown claimed one-fifth of all metals mined in the colonies; Galleons were the ships designed to transport wealth back to Spain, facilitating an influx of resources and economic power.

Columbian Exchange

The global exchange of crops, livestock, and diseases initiated between the Americas and Europe, dramatically altering economies and diets across the continents and leading to significant population changes due to the introduction of new agricultural products.

Slave Trade Initiatives

Beginnings marked by Portuguese traders bringing African slaves to sugar plantations in Brazil; this practice dramatically escalated post-1518 with the growth of plantations in the Americas, leading to the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade.

Expansion of Spanish Influence

• Ferdinand Magellan: The first known expedition to circumnavigate the globe, his journey laid the groundwork for establishing Spanish territorial claims in the Pacific, specifically the Philippines.

• Philippines and Islamic Resistance: Spanish attempts to impose Catholicism faced staunch opposition from resilient Muslim tribes in the southern regions, complicating colonial governance.

Colonial Competition

• Elizabeth I’s rivalry with Philip II intensified exploration efforts and territorial claims, leading to increased global competition among European powers.

• The Spanish Armada: Launched in May 1588, its catastrophic defeat against England marked a turning point in naval dominance and signaled the decline of Spanish preeminence in European affairs.

Conclusion

The Age of Exploration represented a pivotal era marked by significant global interactions, fierce colonial competition, and transformative shifts in trade and intercontinental exchanges. This period laid essential foundations for the modern world, affecting cultural, economic, and political landscapes across continents.