AGE OF EXPLORATION



AGE OF EXPLORATION

Early 15th century

What’s going on?

1. Renaissance-wealth-curiosity- secular ideas

2. secularism-human potential and control of destiny

confidence to take on the world.

3. Ottoman Empire is astride trade routes to Asia

4. Portugal has to go through Gibraltar to trade and is farthest out in Atlantic

5. Commercial revolution has led to increase in need for commodities. Rise of insurance companies takes

some of the risk out of travel.

6. Maritime technology- square sails gives way to latteen

mixed sails, compass, charts

7. Population pressures from prosperity

8. Primogeniture

9. Search for Prester John to placer pressure from both

sides on Moslems.

10. Rise of capitalism is tied to mercantilism. National

pressure to compete in the world. National

subsidized exploration (prince henry, Isabella)

` supported by tontines and lotteries. True markets

are created. Italian city states set the pattern.

Centralized cities with developed hinterland produce

Surpluses that are traded. English wool to Flemish

Weavers cloth is traded to Venetian merchants for

Spices that are sold in England. Profits become huge.

11. rise of nation states leads to imperial competition

12. Reformation – Protestantism lead to proselytizing

movement. Sectarian strife leads to decision to

leave Europe. Predestination leads to focus on

worldly success.

4 countries led the way – Portugal, France, Spain and England

England – united early under the Tudors. Island with frontiers

Wales and Scotland. Insular and out of the continental

Wars. Small noble class (200 families compared to 60000

in France). This led to fluidity of law and social mobility.

Led to dominance of business class and need for trade.

France – Valois kings unite France. Enormously fertile and

Wealthy. Unified language under Charlemagne. Claims

on northern Italy led to conflict with Hapsburgs which leads need for gold to finance wars. Heavily Catholic and strong

Jesuit leadership.

Spain Reconquista sealed it off from rest. Heavily Catholic. Ferdinand and Isabella needed income after cost of

Reconquest. Isabella is evangelical. Charles V is HRE.

Phillip II is also rigidly catholic. Reinstitutes inquisition

To get rid of Jews and Muslims. Used wealth to fight Turks.

Armada. Silver and gold created inflation. Reason is that guilds

In Spain are still medieval so prices remain high without

Competition.

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