The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, was a period of European history that spanned from the 15th to the 17th century. It was a time of great adventure and discovery, as European explorers set out to chart new lands and establish colonies around the world. But what exactly sparked this period of exploration?
One of the main driving forces behind the Age of Exploration was the desire for wealth and resources. European powers such as Spain, Portugal, and England were eager to find new sources of gold, silver, and other valuable minerals to fund their economies and military endeavors. They also sought new trade routes to bring exotic goods, such as spices, silk, and sugar, back to Europe.
Another factor that contributed to the Age of Exploration was the desire for religious conversion. Many European explorers saw their voyages as a way to spread Christianity to the "heathen" lands they encountered. They believed it was their duty to convert the indigenous peoples they encountered to the Christian faith, and this desire to "civilize" and "Christianize" the world played a significant role in the Age of Exploration.
Technological advancements also played a crucial role in the Age of Exploration. The development of more advanced ships, such as the caravel and the galleon, allowed explorers to sail further and faster than ever before. The creation of the mariner's compass, which made it easier for sailors to navigate the seas, also helped spur exploration.
Political motives were also at play during the Age of Exploration. European powers were constantly vying for power and influence, and establishing colonies in new lands was seen as a way to gain territory and strengthen a nation's influence. This was particularly true for Spain and Portugal, who were the two main powers driving the Age of Exploration.
Overall, the Age of Exploration was driven by a combination of economic, religious, technological, and political factors. It was a time of great change and discovery, and it forever altered the course of history.
A Brief History of the Age of Exploration
Did the Age of Exploration cause more harm than good? Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society, Diane Publishing. Almost every country in the Americas and Africa was once part of a European colony. At first they only believed that what they had already found was all there was in the world, not until they actually got into the Age of Discovery. The European forces came to control the large tracts of land and other places around the world, they were taking advantage of all of their made discoveries to colonize, settle, and to use all of the other new lands they come across. During the Age of Exploration, the slave trade grew significantly which had a profound impact on the economy and on society as a whole. The most important Renaissance geographer, Gerardus Mercator mer-KAY-tur , created maps using improved lines of longitude and latitude.
What Was The Age Of Exploration Or The Age Of Discovery?
A number of French and English explorers followed, including Giovanni da Verrazano, who discovered the entrance to the Hudson River in 1524, and Henry Hudson, who mapped the island of Manhattan first in 1609. They had another goal, as well—to convert Indians to Christianity. The Age of Discovery has made one of the greatest impacts on global relations compared to mostly all of the other events that happened in the past. In the 1520s, Francisco Pizarro received permission from Spain to conquer the Inca Empire in South America. Upon reaching San Juan River they separated, Pizarro staying to explore the swampy coasts and Almagro sent back for reinforcements. Other motives also came into play.
When did Exploration start and end?
The exact dates for the beginning and end of the Age of Exploration, also called the Age of Discovery, are a matter of debate among historians. . The native people of Brazil suffered greatly as a result. In 1402 soldiers from the kingdom of Castile landed on the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, near present-day Morocco and Western Sahara, and conquered the natives who lived there. And then, in the spring of 1528, Pánfilo de Narváez landed near present-day Tampa Bay, Florida, and initiated what amounted to a decades-long Spanish march north and west along the Gulf coast.
