01_Ch19- Europeans Explore the East: The Age of Sail

Timeline: 15th - 16th C.

FS: Europe enters the Age of the Sail with daring, foresight, & technology.

Main Idea: Advances in sailing technology enabled Europeans to explore other parts of the
world. The technology permits trade to expand and become a motivating force for exploration.
Enthusiastic defense of trade routes and exorbitant prices on certain goods encourages certain
societies to seek alternatives to Venetian/ Ottoman commercial monopolies. Any nation wishing
to bypass the growing Ottoman commercial presence would have to set their gaze toward the
Atlantic, not the Mediterranean. As Venices inuence is held in-check by the might of the
Ottomans, Europe turns to the newly-formed nations on the Atlantic coast.

CCSS...

I. Challenges
A. Superstition
1. Interpretation of a world that isn't familiar.
2. Often generated by a lack of knowledge.
B. Cost: All attributable to the commercial venture.
1. Material: Vessels, supplies, equipment, crew.
2. Competition: The expense of competing with a commercial rival (in Iberia,
Spain vs. Portugal)
C. Nature
1. Maritime Navigation: The issue of 'xing' one's position on a map without the
use of landmarks since the coastal areas are no longer visible during deep sea
travel.
2. Wind & Sea Currents: Differ in the Atlantic as one goes from Northern
Hemisphere to Southern Hemisphere (across the equator). Also differs as one
goes from Atlantic to Indian Oceans.
### For a long period, sailors on the Atlantic had often sailed against the wind (as
in the case of the Azores) knowing that the return trip would be aided signicantly
by the winds. This, however, made sea travel slow for all areas that had contrary
winds.

II. Impetus for Exploration
A. Demand for more goods: e.g. Cloves (Possible plague remedy)
B. Bypass trade monopolies (Venice, Ottoman Empire, high costs passed along by
'middlemen')
C. Better prots for European countries
D. The goods will be less expensive
E. New technology makes exploring less risky.
1. Astrolabe/ Sextant: Measures angle from horizon to a celestial
'landmark' [North Star in Northern Hemisphere and Southern Cross in Southern
Hemisphere].
2. Map/ chart accuracy improves.
3. Compass
4. Ship & Sail Design: Caravels with multiple masts, Square-Rigged & Lateen
sails. Sail technology permitted techniques like 'Tacking'. This is a technique
used by sailors to travel in one direction when the wind is blowing in the opposite
direction. Lateen sails and the variation of the sail/ wind angle makes this
possible.
F. Prince Henry the Navigator
1. Established a Maritime Academy for the study of open-ocean navigation
(cartography, technology development, and charting of wind/ sea currents).
Though it was common to share ndings in an academic environment,
cartographic data was often kept as political & commercial secrets.

2. West African Coast
a. Early exploration voyages focused on the West African coast.
b. Each succeeding voyage sailed further south along the coast,
establishing trading/ supply posts along the way.
c. The combined goal of these voyages was the discovery of a portal to
the eastern ocean (Indian Ocean).

III. Successes & Ominous Signs of the Future
A. Trading posts make certain goods available=> Raw materials like ivory and precious
metals/ minerals.

B. Early elements of slave-trade emerges.

C. Exploration & exploitation of Atlantic islands=> Azores (Portugal) and Canary Island
Archipelago (Spain).

D. Spreading the Christian Faith

E. Expeditions are 'paying for themselves'.

IV. The Search for the Route around Africa
A. Bartholomeu Dias (1488)
1. Used sea currents along west coast of Africa. [Trade posts, riding currents into
deep ocean, approaching American coasts]
2. Reaching the Cape of Good Hope
B. Vasco da Gama (1497-1499)
1. Exploits maritime knowledge accumulated by prior voyagers.
2. Reaches South Asia and Indies (loads vessels w/ cinnamon & pepper)
3. Returns to a heroes welcome. Cargo pays for voyage.

V. Spain Claims Honor of Reaching Indies First.
A. Christopher Columbus: 1492, sails from Seville in a westerly direction and rides the
North Atlantic currents.

B. Hispaniola (Espaola)

C. Commercial/ Material Failure (absence of Spices and precious metals).

VI. Summary: Why It Matters Now.
European exploration was an important step toward the global interaction existing in the world
today.
Film discussion.

Materials/Sources:#Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates.
! Slide Presentations, Readings
! Film: CNN's Millennium Series
! World History: Patterns of Interaction
! Mindmap: Renaissance World View