Geographical Explorations

Causes of Geographical Explorations

  • Capture of Constantinople (1453): The Ottoman Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire and conquered Constantinople in 1453, closing the traditional land routes to Asia and forcing Europeans to seek new sea routes not under foreign control.
  • Eastern Luxuries and Adventure: Reports of eastern wealth from travelers like Marco Polo (who visited Kublai Khan in 13th-century China) fueled European demand for Asian silk from China, as well as cotton goods and precious stones from India.
  • Spread of Christianity: Christian missionaries accompanied European merchants to spread the message of Christ in newly explored lands.
  • Geographical Knowledge and Navigation: Geographical texts like A Merchant Handbook and Ptolemy's Geography guided explorers. Technological developments included the Mariner's Compass (a Chinese invention with a magnetic needle), the Astrolabe, improved map-making, and advanced ship designs like the Caravel.

The Mariner's Compass

  • Patronage of Kings: Royal families, particularly of Portugal and Spain, provided crucial financial assistance for voyages of discovery.

Portuguese Explorations

  • Prince Henry the Navigator:
    • Established the first seamen's school at Sagres and gathered geographers, map-makers, sailors, and ship designers.
    • Improved the Caravel sailing ship for open-sea voyages in stormy weather.
    • Sponsored annual African expeditions, claiming the Madeira Islands, the Azores, and the West African Guinea Coast.
  • Bartholomew Diaz: Sailed south along the African coast in 1488 and discovered the Cape of Storms (later named the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco-da-Gama).
  • Vasco Da Gama: Sailed around the African continent and landed at Calicut on the west coast of India in 1498 (17th May), securing trade concessions from ruler Zamorin and returning with spices and precious stones.

Spanish Explorations

  • Christopher Columbus:
    • Italian sailor from Genoa financed by Queen Isabella of Spain.
    • Departed on 23rd August 1492 and landed on an island on 12th October 1492, calling the natives "Indians" believing he reached India.
    • Explored the coasts of the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, and Central America.
  • Amerigo Vespucci: Italian explorer who conducted voyages after 1497 and recognized the landmass as a "new world"; the continent of America was named in his honour.
  • Ferdinand Magellan:
    • Sailed from Spain in September 1519 with five ships, crossed the Atlantic, rounded South America, and named the Pacific Ocean.
    • Landed in the Philippine Islands, where he was killed in a fight with natives on 27th April 1521.
    • His ship Victoria completed the first global circumnavigation, returning to Seville harbour via the Cape of Good Hope.

Ferdinand Magellan's voyages and sea routes

English Explorations

  • John Cabot:
    • Italian sailor from Genoa employed by King Henry VII of England in 1547 to find a northwest route to China and India.
    • Crossed the Atlantic and discovered Newfoundland and Cape Breton, establishing England's claim over mainland North America.