What  factors  led  to  and  what  technology  helped  European  exploration  of  the  world?    

What  was  the  Age  of  Explora2on?  � The  Age  of  Exploration  was  a  period  when  European  expanded  outside  their  borders  

�  1400’s  –  1800’s    

� Previously  Europe  had  been  extremely  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world  w/  a  few  exceptions  

�  Marco  Polo  in  China  (1275)  

Marco  Polo  in  China  (1275)  

Polo’s  Book  “The  Travels  of  Marco  Polo”  (1295)  

Columbus’  copy  of  Polo’s  book  

Why  did  Europeans  suddenly  want  to  explore?  

�  The  motivation  of  the  Europeans  was  summed  up  by  the  3  G’s:  �  “God,  glory,  and  gold”  

�  God  =  Spread  of  Christianity    

�  Glory  =  Claiming  new  areas  for  their  monarchs  

�  Gold  =  finding  wealth  

Portugal  kicked  things  off  (1410’s)  

The  Legend  of  El  Dorado  

Prince  Henry  the  Navigator  (1394-­‐1460)  

Bartholomew  Diaz  (1451-­‐1500)  

Vasco  da  Gama  (1460-­‐1524)  

Where  were  the  Europeans  trying  to  get  to  during  the  Age  of  Explora2on?  

� Most  European  explorers  were  trying  to  find  a  quick  and  safe  route  to  Asia  

�  Lucrative  trade  (spices,  silks,  etc.)  

�  Break  Ottoman  monopoly  of  the  trade  routes  

�  Later,  America  (Latin  America)  would  become  a  source  of  great  wealth  

Christopher  Columbus  (1451-­‐1506)  

Columbus’  First  Voyage  (1492)  

Near  Mu2ny  (1492)  

Columbus’  Arrival  in  the  New  World  (1492)  

Amerigo  Vespucci  (1454-­‐1512)  

Who  were  the  “big  players”  in  the  Age  of  Explora2on  for  Europe?  

�  Several  major  players:    

�  Spain  /  Portugal  �  Treaty  of  Tordesillas  

�  Line  of  Demarcation  

�  English  �  North  America    

�  French  �  North  /  South  America  

� Dutch  �  North  America    

Who  did  the  European  encounter  when  they  got  to  the  “New  World”?  Ò Europeans  encountered  many  new  peoples  in  their  travels  to  the  “New  World”  (Latin  America)  Ò Agriculture-­‐based  societies    

Ò Curious  of  European  technology  &  culture  

Ò Three  (3)  major  groups:  É Aztecs  É Incas  É Mayas  

The  “Land  Bridge”  Theory  

Early  American  Civiliza2ons  in  Mesoamerica  (Central  America)  

Who  were  the  Mayans?  � Most advanced native

group of the Latin America

�  Yucatan Peninsula

�  Very advanced written language & “the arts”

�  Math & astrology

�  Ancestry still around today

Mayan  Ruins  in  the  Yucatan  

Mayan  Observatories  

Apacoalypto  (2006)  

Mayan  Calendar  –  Is  Doomsday  coming?  

Who  Were  the  Aztecs?  � Dominant native group of

central Mexico �  The Valley of Mexico

� Conquerors �  Powerful military �  Vast alliance system

� Well-organized / educated society

�  Skilled engineers

Founding  of  the  Aztec  Capital  

The  Aztec  Military  

Aztec’s  Human  Sacrifice  

Who  were  the  Incas?  � Dominant native culture of

South America �  Andes Mountains

� Complex government system

�  Branches of government

� Skilled Engineers �  Network of roads /

communication

Incan  Farming  Technology  

Incan  roads  and  Engineering    

Macho  Picchu  

Why  was  Europe  so  successful  at  explora2on  /  conquest  in  the  New  World?  � European  were  the  most  successful  at  exploration  due  to  technology:  

�  New  ship  designs  (caravel)  �  Able  to  sail  into  the  wind  

�  New  navigation  technology  �  Astrolabe  �  Magnetic  compass