Europeans began exploring, expanding trade, and conquering other lands for several reasons: improvements in ship technology and navigation allowed for long voyages; the desire for profit drove the search for new trade routes and precious metals in Asia; and religious motives encouraged the spread of Christianity and defeat of Islamic forces. Competition between fragmented European states also contributed to continued overseas exploration and conquest.

1. What allowed / caused Europeans to
begin their exploration, expand their
trade involvement, and their conquest?
CAUSES of EUROPEAN
MARITIME VOYAGES

2. In Europe…
• Demographic recovery after the plague
• Crusading Spirit
• Fragmented state-building led to
competition
• Portuguese began exploring in 1415
• Columbus reached the Americas in 1492
• Vasco de Gama sailed around Africa to
India 1497-98

3. CAUSES of EUROPEAN
MARITIME VOYAGES
Improvements in technology
• Better ship design (caravel)

5. • The Gunpowder
revolution
• Navigation –
compass, sextant,
astrolabe, maps.

6. Training and Experience
• Portuguese Seafaring Schools
• Experience in wars with Muslims

7. DESIRE FOR PROFIT
• FIND & Control trade routes to Asia
• Find GOLD & SILVER (for wealth in
Europe and to trade in Asia)

10. Religious Reasons. . .The desire to:
• spread Christian religion and political
control
• Defeat Islamic forces

11. In East Asia . . .
 China and Japan
continued to
control their
own ports,
products, and
profits with little
gains made by
Europeans.

12. Europe compared with China
• European voyages small compared to
China
• Europeans seeking wealth, converts, and
national pride
• Europeans used violence to gain empires
• Chinese voyages ended, Europeans kept
escalating-WHY?
– Internal competition in Europe
– Need for more land
– No single political authority
– Support of European elites