Sea-based empire building represented a significant turning point in world history.
Emergence of state-sponsored exploration influenced by changes in European power dynamics following the Black Death.
Post-Black Death population growth led to increased power for monarchs.
Monarchs consolidated power, reducing nobility's strength.
Monarchs improved their militaries and adopted gunpowder technology.
More efficient tax systems were established to fund exploration and conquest.
Rising demand for Asian spices, especially pepper, motivated exploration.
Control over land routes made spices expensive, prompting search for sea routes.
Portugal was geographically constrained, leading to maritime expansion.
Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored early exploration aimed at India.
Technological Developments
Use of compass, astrolabe, and development of caravels and carracks.
Economic Interests
Initial interest in trans-Saharan gold trade shifted to Asian spices.
Religious Goals
Desire to spread Christianity and find the legendary Prester John.
Established a trading post empire focusing on self-sufficient posts around Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Vasco da Gama's expedition was pivotal in connecting to the Indian Ocean trade network.
The Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, sought to establish their own empire.
Christopher Columbus proposed sailing west to reach the Spice Islands, secured sponsorship from Spain.
Reached Caribbean in 1492; initially thought he found Asia but discovered the Americas.
Subsequent expeditions led to the recognition of the Americas by Europe.
Ferdinand Magellan's voyage confirmed the Atlantic-Pacifc route to the Asia.
Spanish colonization opened transatlantic trade, becoming more profitable than Indian Ocean trade.
Sought westward passage to Indian Ocean; established trade in North America.
Samuel Champlain founded Quebec in 1608, focusing on fur trade despite challenges from diseases and Iroquois.
Late to exploration due to economic focus on textiles.
Queen Elizabeth I supported exploration post-Spanish Armada defeat.
Sir Walter Raleigh established Virginia; Jamestown founded in 1607 marked a turn in success.
Gained independence from Spain in 1579, emerged as a wealthy state.
Competed for control in Indian Ocean; founded trading posts.
Henry Hudson's expedition established New Amsterdam as a Dutch presence in the New World.
The rise of sea-based empires marked the beginning of global trade networks and established European dominance in world trade.