What factors encouraged European exploration?
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Why did Europeans find potentially dangerous sea routes preferable to overland routes?
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Why did European monarchs fund such risky voyages by navigators?
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What motivated Prince Henry to make overseas exploration one of his life goals?
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How did Portuguese exploration lead to the creation of a trading empire?
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Identify four of the most important voyages of exploration.
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How did Columbus influence the Treaty of Tordesillas?How did Columbus influence the Treaty of Tordesillas?
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If Columbus had understood the real geography of the world, would he still have made his voyage? Why or why not?
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What was the significance of Balboa’s discovery?
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What effect might Magellan’s circumnavigation of the world have on English, Dutch, and French explorers?
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What products did the French get from their colonies in New France?
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Several factors encouraged European exploration, including the desire for new trade routes to access valuable spices and goods from Asia, the quest for wealth and resources, the spread of Christianity, advancements in navigation technology (such as the compass and astrolabe), and the competition among European powers for territorial expansion and dominance.
Europeans found potentially dangerous sea routes preferable to overland routes for several reasons. Overland routes were often longer, more arduous, and fraught with risks such as banditry, harsh terrain, and political instability in regions like the Middle East. Sea routes, while perilous, offered the potential for faster and more direct access to lucrative markets, as well as the ability to transport larger quantities of goods.
European monarchs funded risky voyages by navigators to enhance their own power and prestige, expand their empires, and increase wealth through trade. Successful voyages could lead to the discovery of new lands, resources, and trade routes, which would benefit the crown financially and politically. Additionally, there was a strong desire to spread Christianity and counter the influence of rival powers.
Prince Henry of Portugal, often called "Henry the Navigator," was motivated by a combination of factors, including a strong interest in geography and navigation, the desire to spread Christianity, and the ambition to find new trade routes to Asia. He aimed to establish Portugal as a leading maritime power and to discover new lands that could be claimed for the Portuguese crown.
Portuguese exploration led to the creation of a trading empire by establishing a network of coastal trading posts and colonies along the coasts of Africa, India, and Brazil. The Portuguese developed a system of trade that focused on spices, gold, and other valuable commodities. They also engaged in the slave trade, which further fueled their economic interests and allowed them to dominate maritime trade routes.
Columbus's voyages prompted the need for the Treaty of Tordesillas, which was established in 1494 to resolve disputes between Spain and Portugal over newly discovered lands. The treaty divided the world outside Europe into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence, with a meridian line drawn in the Atlantic Ocean. Columbus's discoveries in the New World were significant in justifying Spain's claims to vast territories.
If Columbus had understood the real geography of the world, he might not have made his voyage, as he believed he could reach Asia by sailing west from Europe. Knowing the true size of the Earth and the existence of the Americas would likely have deterred him from pursuing that route, as it would have seemed impractical and risky.
Vasco Núñez de Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean in 1513 was significant because it opened up new opportunities for exploration and trade. Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific from the New World, and his discovery confirmed the existence of a vast ocean that could be navigated for trade routes to Asia, leading to further expeditions and the eventual Spanish colonization of the Pacific region.
Magellan's circumnavigation of the world demonstrated the feasibility of global exploration and opened the eyes of English, Dutch, and French explorers to the potential for new trade routes and territories. It inspired these nations to pursue their own voyages of discovery, leading to increased competition for overseas colonies and trade, as well as the establishment of their own maritime empires.
From their colonies in New France, the French obtained a variety of products, including furs (especially beaver pelts), fish (notably cod), timber, and agricultural products. The fur trade became particularly lucrative, as it was in high demand in Europe for fashion and warmth. The French also engaged in trade with Indigenous peoples, exchanging European goods for