PPT about the age of Exploration

1. Early European ExplorationEarly European Exploration

2. NavigationNavigation
• Instruments such asInstruments such as
the compass andthe compass and
astrolabe improved.astrolabe improved.
• Ships able to sailShips able to sail
beyond usualbeyond usual
boundariesboundaries
New ShipsNew Ships
• Ships used to be clumsyShips used to be clumsy
and sailed only in theand sailed only in the
direction of wind. Clumsydirection of wind. Clumsy
ships with heavy woodenships with heavy wooden
oars (oars (galleys)galleys) would sailwould sail
close to the coastlineclose to the coastline..

3. • Spanish and Portuguese designers builtSpanish and Portuguese designers built
longer and larger ships.longer and larger ships.
• Changes allowed for sail against the wind.Changes allowed for sail against the wind.
– Rudder went from side of ship to the rearRudder went from side of ship to the rear
– Size and shape of sails changed
VS.

4. CARAVEL
The caravel was a vessel of paramount
importance in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it
was used to traverse the immense barrier to the
New World. During these centuries, the caravel
was a ship with a distinctive shape and admirable
qualities. A gently sloping bow and single stern
castle were prominent features of this craft, and it
carried a mainmast and a mizzen mast that were
generally lateen-rigged. Along with its shallow draft
and ability to sail windward, these qualities helped
the caravel achieve fame as it was propelled
across the Atlantic and southward along the rocky
western coast of Africa.
The sixteenth century Portuguese caravel
(Caravela) owed much to Arab naval influence.
The use of a fully developed lateen (triangular)
sails and high stern are similar to many Indian
Ocean Arab vessels. Because the caravel could
sail within five points off the wind - and not just
with the wind behind it, the caravel was ideally
suited to exploration as it could be used close to
the shore to map rivers and chart bays as easily
as across the open ocean. For the Asian trade the
larger and slower carrack (or Nao) was initially
used.

5. The caravel was a new,The caravel was a new,
faster, more maneuverablefaster, more maneuverable
shipship
Older ships had squareOlder ships had square
sails, caravels hadsails, caravels had
triangular sails (easier totriangular sails (easier to
change direction)change direction)
Bilge pump system enabledBilge pump system enabled
ship to float higher (lessship to float higher (less
likely to run aground,likely to run aground,
easier to explore coastseasier to explore coasts
and rivers)and rivers)
Compass, astrolabe, mapsCompass, astrolabe, maps
and other technologiesand other technologies
from Islamic culture allfrom Islamic culture all

6. See Interactive ExplorerSee Interactive Explorer

7. What factors were pushingWhat factors were pushing
Europeans to explore?Europeans to explore?
• Decline of MongolDecline of Mongol
Empire in 1400s madeEmpire in 1400s made
goods from the eastgoods from the east
harder to get, moreharder to get, more
expensive (vs. silkexpensive (vs. silk
road system)road system)
• Fall of ConstantinopleFall of Constantinople
to the Ottoman Turksto the Ottoman Turks
in 1453 was a majorin 1453 was a major
block to tradeblock to trade

8. What is the easiest way toWhat is the easiest way to
remember it all?remember it all?
• The Three G’s:The Three G’s:
– GoldGold
– GloryGlory
– GodGod
• Although a littleAlthough a little
simplistic, thissimplistic, this
mnemonic is a greatmnemonic is a great
way to remember theway to remember the
main motivations ofmain motivations of
the Europeanthe European
explorers.explorers.

9. The First G: GoldThe First G: Gold
• Gold was a hot item that explorers were looking for, butGold was a hot item that explorers were looking for, but
remember that it is really wealth, not just literal gold thatremember that it is really wealth, not just literal gold that
explorers were after.explorers were after.
• Europe needed gold (and silver) to fuel the rising bankingEurope needed gold (and silver) to fuel the rising banking
systemsystem
• Europeans also desired spices (Da Gama’s voyage to IndiaEuropeans also desired spices (Da Gama’s voyage to India
made him a 3000% profit!)made him a 3000% profit!)
• Other natural resources would come to be sold for profit asOther natural resources would come to be sold for profit as
well (timber, sugar, tobacco, ivory, etc.)well (timber, sugar, tobacco, ivory, etc.)
• This competition will be enhanced by the idea ofThis competition will be enhanced by the idea of mercantilismmercantilism thatthat
emerges, the idea that there is only so much wealth in the world, andemerges, the idea that there is only so much wealth in the world, and
that to make your kingdom strong you must have more gold and wealththat to make your kingdom strong you must have more gold and wealth

10. The second G: GloryThe second G: Glory
• Just like the first G, Gold,Just like the first G, Gold,
Glory was a relatively newGlory was a relatively new
idea in Europeidea in Europe
• Came out of theCame out of the
Renaissance ideal ofRenaissance ideal of
Humanism, and the focusHumanism, and the focus
on individual achievementon individual achievement
• With the rise of the printingWith the rise of the printing
press, the idea of gainingpress, the idea of gaining
fame for one’s actions wasfame for one’s actions was
more possiblemore possible
• Also, individual kingsAlso, individual kings
wanted glory for theirwanted glory for their
kingdoms, competitionkingdoms, competition
spreadsspreads
The Triumph of Fame, a Flemish
tapestry from 1502.

11. The third G: GodThe third G: God
• As members of a universalizing religion,As members of a universalizing religion,
Europeans had always seen spreadingEuropeans had always seen spreading
Christianity as a good thingChristianity as a good thing
• Especially after the Reformation, competition willEspecially after the Reformation, competition will
spring upspring up
• Colonization will become a race to convertColonization will become a race to convert
native peoples to a particular brand ofnative peoples to a particular brand of
ChristianityChristianity
• Jesuits (Catholics) are some of the most activeJesuits (Catholics) are some of the most active

12. Explorers:Explorers:

13. Prince Henry “The Navigator”Prince Henry “The Navigator”
Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a
monument to Prince Henry the
Navigator and the Portuguese
Age of Discovery, Lisbon 
1. Who is Henry in this image?
2. What is the artist trying to portray
about Prince Henry?

14. Prince Henry “the navigator” never actually navigated, but:Prince Henry “the navigator” never actually navigated, but:
• He gathered many of Europe’s bestHe gathered many of Europe’s best
geographersgeographers

15. SourcesSources
http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.5421/A-full-hull-model-of-a-Portuguese-caravel.htmlhttp://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.5421/A-full-hull-model-of-a-Portuguese-caravel.html