1.6 - Technological Advances and the Age of Exploration

European Exploration and Empire Building (1450-1648)

Motivations for Exploration:

• Europeans were driven to explore and conquer lands during the Age of Exploration for three main reasons: Gold, God, and Glory.

  • Gold (and silver) was a primary motivator as they sought wealth through the acquisition of precious metals.

Mercantilism:

• Mercantilism was the dominant economic system in Europe during this period, based on the belief that the world's wealth was finite, like a pie.

  • The goal was to obtain a larger share of this "pie," meaning more wealth for the state, often at the expense of others.

  • Wealth was measured in terms of gold and silver.

Balance of Trade:

• To accumulate wealth, states aimed to maintain a favorable balance of trade, meaning they exported more goods than they imported.

  • Exports brought gold into the state, while imports caused gold to flow out.

Role of Colonies:

• European states realized that establishing colonies was a key strategy for accumulating wealth.

  • Colonies provided gold and silver deposits and raw materials that could be shipped back to the home country.

  • These raw materials were then manufactured into goods and sold back to the colonies, bringing gold back into the state.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Mercantilism:

• Jean-Baptiste Colbert was France’s Controller General and a leading figure in implementing mercantilist policies.

  • Colbert aimed to make France self-sufficient by producing everything the French people needed domestically, reducing the need for imports.

  • He abolished domestic tariffs to encourage internal trade and industry.

European Demand for Luxury Goods

Craving for Eastern Goods:

• European elites had a strong desire for luxury goods from the East, including porcelain, spices, and tea.

• These goods traveled to Europe via land routes controlled by the Muslim Ottoman Empire, which led to significantly inflated prices due to the monopolistic control.

Motivation for Alternative Trade Routes:

• The high cost of luxury goods became a significant motivation for European states to seek alternative sea routes to Asia.

• By finding direct sea routes, European powers aimed to bypass the Ottoman-controlled land routes, allowing them to trade more freely and profitably on their own terms.

Reconquista and Religious Motivations for Exploration

Reconquista:

• The Reconquista was the effort by Spanish Christian kingdoms to drive Jews and Muslims out of the Iberian Peninsula, which was completed by 1492.

• This successful campaign fueled the desire to spread Catholicism globally, especially as a counter to the rising influence of Protestantism during the Protestant Reformation.

Religious Motivations for Exploration:

• The Catholic Church, and later the Protestant Church, wielded immense influence over European states, with culture and faith deeply intertwined.

• The desire to see Catholicism dominate over Protestantism was a key motivation for European exploration, particularly for countries like Spain.

• As European explorers reached the New World, they often sent Jesuit missionaries to convert the indigenous populations to Christianity.

Jesuit Missionaries and Indigenous People:

• While Jesuit missionaries were sent to convert indigenous people, many Europeans viewed the indigenous populations as lesser beings, suitable for forced labor.

• Christianity was thus used as an instrument of control and subjugation by imperial states.

• However, not all Jesuits shared these views. For example, Bartolomé de las Casas, a Jesuit priest, defended the rights of American Indians and worked to improve their conditions under Spanish rule, though he did not extend this sympathy to enslaved Africans.

Maritime Empires

Introduction to Maritime Empires:

• Maritime empires were sea-based empires, as opposed to the land-based empires that had dominated world history up to this point.

• Building a maritime empire required new technologies, particularly advancements in navigation and shipbuilding.

Advancements in Cartography:

• Cartography, the science of mapmaking, saw significant improvements during this period.

  • Earlier maps, especially those used for sea navigation, were often vague and inaccurate.

  • By the time of European exploration, maps had become far more detailed and accurate, greatly aiding maritime navigation.

  • The printing press played a crucial role in making these improved maps widely accessible.

New Ship Designs:

• European powers, particularly the Spanish and Portuguese, developed new types of ships that were essential for building and maintaining maritime empires.

  • One such ship was the caravel, a fast and highly maneuverable vessel that could sail long distances, making it ideal for exploration and trade.

The Caravel and Maritime Technology

The Caravel:

• The caravel was a highly maneuverable and fast ship developed by the Spanish and Portuguese during the Age of Exploration.

  • Prior to the caravel, ships were often designed to serve multiple purposes, such as carrying cargo and being converted into warships. This dual-purpose design meant they didn’t excel at either task.

  • The caravel, however, was specifically designed for shipping and trade, making it more efficient for these purposes. While it could be armed, its primary function was not for warfare but for exploration and commerce.

Lateen Sail:

• The lateen sail was a triangular sail that allowed ships like the caravel to take advantage of wind from any direction, not just from behind as with square sails.

  • This innovation greatly improved the speed and maneuverability of ships, making them more effective for long-distance voyages.

Navigational Instruments:

• Along with advancements in ship design, Europeans also improved their navigational capabilities by adopting more accurate instruments:

  • The magnetic compass, which helped sailors determine direction.

  • The astrolabe, a tool adopted from Muslim navigators, allowed sailors to determine their latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, such as the sun or stars.

Magnetic Compass and Astrolabe

Magnetic Compass:

• The magnetic compass was an essential navigational tool adopted by European explorers from Chinese navigators.

  • It helped sailors maintain a consistent and accurate direction during their voyages, which was crucial for long-distance sea travel.

Astrolabe:

• The astrolabe was another key navigational instrument, borrowed from Muslim navigators.

  • It allowed sailors to determine their latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body (such as the sun or stars). This was critical for accurately charting a ship’s position at sea.

Impact on Maritime Exploration:

• The combination of these advanced navigational tools, along with improved ship designs like the caravel and the lateen sail, enabled Europeans to explore the seas more effectively and establish maritime empires.