Summer Session - Day 13

Age of Exploration

Background

The resurgence of trade following the Middle Ages in Europe resulted in a demand for goods from Asia. Trade routes were established across the Mediterranean and through the Middle East to handle this need. But, when the expansion of the Ottoman Empire caused disruption along these routes, Europeans were forced to seek alternative ways of importing these goods. This led to the exploration of water routes to Asia, and eventually the discovery of the Americas by the Europeans.

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Exploration

In the early 1400s, Europeans began exploring the west coast of Africa in search of an all water route to Asia. These early explorations were led by the Portuguese. In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. In 1498, Vasco Da Gama established an all water route to India. The success of these explorations led Spain to begin its own voyages. In 1492, Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas for Spain. These discoveries had a lasting impact on Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

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Imperialism

European nations competed for colonies across the globe. These colonies were exploited for their raw materials, and used as new markets for European goods. Europeans had little regard for most of the indigenous peoples of these areas, and as a result, there was great loss of life and culture. Also, because of the need for a reliable labor source, slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas in large numbers.

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Columbian Exchange

The Age of Exploration is a turning point in history because it altered the way people lived across the world. The biggest aspect of this change deals with the exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas, and technology. This is known as the Columbian Exchange, because it starts with Columbus. While many aspects of this exchange had positive effects, such as the exchange of foods between Europe and America, there were also negative effects, such as the exchange of diseases between Europe and America.

The Columbian Exchange

From Europe to the New World	From the New World to Europe
wheat sugar bananas rice grapes horses pigs cattle sheep chickens smallpox measles typhus	corn potato beans peanuts squash pumpkin tomatoes avocados chili pepper pineapple cocoa tobacco quinine (a medicine for malaria)

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Results:

The Age of Discovery & Exploration changed the world. Access to new and better foods allowed the European population to grow, and access to the New World gave these people a place to go. New World civilizations such as the Inca and Aztecs, faced near total destruction of their cultures either through disease brought by the Europeans, or by colonization. Africa faced a diaspora, or forced movement of its people, as slavery became the dominant labor force in the Americas. The Age of Exploration was both a positive and negative experience for many civilizations.

Classwork & Homework

Lesson PowerPoint: Age of Exploration - Technology

Classwork: Age of Exploration Activity Worksheet

Commercial Revolution

The commercial revolution, in European history, was a fundamental change in the quantity and scope of commerce. In the later Middle Ages steady economic expansion had seen the rise of towns and the advent of private banking, a money economy, and trading organizations such as the Hanseatic League.

Under the new national monarchies, most notably those of Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and England, markets grew wider and more secure. Commercial expansion was supported by technical improvements in seafaring, and from about 1450 explorations were made, first to Africa, then to the Asia and the New World. By the mid-16th cent. the Asia carrying trade had been wrested from the Arabs, and Eastern goods poured into Europe. From the New World came gold and silver, which in less than a century more than doubled European prices and greatly stimulated economic activity.

The focus of commerce shifted from Mediterranean to Atlantic ports, chartered companies were organized, and continued improvements in navigation and ship construction sped long voyages. As a worldwide trade evolved, the principles of mercantilism were adopted, and local trade barriers were abrogated, stimulating internal commerce. Modern credit facilities also appeared; new institutions included the state bank, the bourse, and the futures market, and the promissory note and other new media of exchange were created. Quickened commercial activity brought economic specialization, thus leading to the transformations in production associated with modern capitalism. By 1700 the stage was set for the Industrial Revolution.

Classwork & Homework

Lesson PowerPoint: The Commercial Revolution

Lesson Activity: Commercial Revolution Worksheet