geographical explorations paved the way for discovery of other nations

1. Dr.AGHALYA.,M.A.,M.Ed.,M.PHIL.,Ph.D.,
Head & Asst.Professor
Department of History
Bon Secours College for Women
Thanjavur

2. • The 16th century has been called a century of
geographical explorations. Till the end of the Middle
Ages, Europeans were ignorant of geography. In the later
developments, Europeans found new sea routes to
various parts of the world.
• The new continents of North America, South America and
Australia came to light.

3. • 1.When the Turks conquered the city of Constantinople in
1453 C.E., it closed the trade gates between East and
West.
• With this, Turks started getting more profit out of spices
imported from India.
• Due to this, the Europeans faced the inevitability of
finding a new sea route to India.
• 2. Spain and Portugal were ambitious of competing with
Arabs in sea trade. Local people and rich encouraged
adventrous youth to venture into sea.

4. • 3. Discovery of new countries opened the possibility of
spreading Christianity.
• 4. European curiosity was roused by the adventurous
nature of sea voyage towards eastern countries.
• They ventured to bring in Spices, Silk, Cotton, Muslin
cloth and to sell them for profit.

5. • 5. The experiments done during the renaissance period
had proved that the Earth is round.
• Mariner’s compass and astrolobe equipment were
helpful to sailors. Charts and maps were available to
sailors.
• 6. Marcopolo explanined the richness of India and China
in his book ‘Travels of Morcopolo’.
• This book had his traveling experiences to these
countries.

6. • Mariner’s compass Instrument used to show distance
and route to navigators
• Astrolobe Instrument used to show time and distance of
sun, planet and stars from earth Geographical
explorations Map of the world (New Sea route) North
Continent and Baltic Meditarenian Turky and Black Sea
Bay of Parshian India Sub continent South East Asia
East Portion The countries which engaged in
geographical explorations after the Middle Ages were
Portugal and Spain.

7. • The sailors sent by Henry moved around for a long
period, explored the west coast of the African
continent and went a long distance towards the south.
• Bartholomew Dias reached 31 the southern tip of
African continent and called it Cape of Good Hope.
• In 1498 C.E. Vasco-da-Gama of Portugal sailed
around the Cape of Good Hope, crossed the Indian
Ocean and reached Calicut in India.
• Thus, the dream of reaching India by Europeans
came to be a reality.

8. • Christopher Columbus of Genoa city, crossed the Atlantic
ocean with the help of the king of Spain, reached the
Bahamas in West Indies (Caribbean islands).
• Amerigo Vespuci of Italy, moved to the West of Europe
and discovered America.
• While Portugal’s Kabral reached Brazil in 1500 C.E,
Balboa climbed a hill near Panama Strait and saw the
vast ocean to the west. That was the Pacific ocean.

9. • Another Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan, was the
first to go round the Cape.
• After travelling for 5 months, he reached South America
in the year 1520.
• From there, he reached the Philippines through the
Indian ocean.
• One of his ships passed between the Indonesian islands,
went round the earth and reached Spain via Cape of
Good Hope.

10. • 1. Europeans could establish direct links with America,
Africa and Asia. They earned a lot of wealth and also
knowledge from this.
• 2. The entire economic system of Europe underwent
change. The prosperity of Italy and Germany declined
and countries like France and England became powerful
and built huge Kingdoms.
• 3. England and France built new markets in America and
India. They founded colonies in these places and earned
more profit.

11. • 4. The Christian preachers went to these new places and
introduced their religion.
• 5. These explorations facilitated the exchange of ideas
between the East and the West resulting in new
knowledge.
•
• 6. With the help of Magellan, it was practically proved
that the Earth is not flat but round.
• 7. As the African slaves were utilized for the economical
development of North America, the slave trade came into
existence.