European conquest of America - Summary on a Map

Summary

The 15th century marked a transformative era as European powers sought new trade routes and territories. Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans disrupted Italian trade, prompting Portugal and Spain to explore the seas. Christopher Columbus's 1492 expedition led to the discovery of the Americas, mistakenly believed to be Asia. This initiated colonization, marked by the extraction of resources, forced labor, and devastating diseases affecting indigenous populations. Subsequent explorers like Cortés and Pizarro conquered vast empires, fueling European rivalries and the transatlantic slave trade, ultimately reshaping the socio-economic landscape of both Europe and the New World.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The 15th century marked significant geographical awareness in Europe, with known lands and the Indies to the east known for spices and silk.
• ⚔️ The fall of Constantinople in 1453 by the Ottomans ended the Byzantine Empire and diminished the power of Italian republics like Genoa and Venice.
• ⛵ Portugal sought new trade routes to the Indies and capitalized on advancements in shipbuilding, such as the caravel, to explore Africa.
• 🗺️ Christopher Columbus proposed reaching Asia by sailing west but faced initial rejections before obtaining royal support from Spain.
• 🚢 Columbus's first voyage in 1492 led to the discovery of the Americas, which he mistakenly identified as the Indies.
• 🏝️ Upon landing in the Caribbean, Columbus interacted with the Taino people and established the fort of La Navidad, marking European colonization efforts.
• 💰 Spain and Portugal negotiated territorial claims through the Treaty of Tordesillas to avoid conflicts over newly discovered lands.
• 🦙 The Spanish conquest included interactions with indigenous empires like the Aztecs and Incas, leading to significant cultural and population shifts.
• 👑 The influx of wealth from colonies spurred further colonization and exploitation, resulting in the spread of diseases that devastated indigenous populations.
• ⚖️ The treatment of natives drew criticism, leading to attempts at reform by the Spanish monarchy and the Catholic Church, despite ongoing exploitation.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in 1453 that impacted European trade?

In 1453, the Ottomans seized Constantinople, bringing down the Byzantine Empire and ending the golden age of the Italian republics, which controlled trade in luxury goods like spices and silk.

What was Christopher Columbus's proposal to the Portuguese king in 1484?

Christopher Columbus proposed to reach Asia by sailing west, believing that China and Japan were close enough to make this journey feasible.

Why did Columbus eventually receive support for his expedition?

After being rejected by the Portuguese king, Columbus gained support from the Queen of Castile and the King of Aragon, who authorized and financed his expedition.

What was the significance of Columbus's landing on an island in 1492?

When Columbus landed on an island in 1492, he mistakenly believed he had reached the Indies, referring to the local Taino people as 'Indians'.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas and its impact?

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands. Lands to the east could be claimed by Portugal, while lands to the west were reserved for Spain.

What diseases did Europeans bring to the Americas and their consequences?

Europeans brought diseases previously unknown to indigenous populations, such as smallpox, which spread rapidly and decimated native populations.

What role did conquistadors play in the Spanish colonization of the Americas?

Conquistadors explored and conquered vast territories in the Americas, such as Hernán Cortés in the Aztec Empire and Francisco Pizarro in the Inca Empire, establishing Spanish control.

How did the Spanish monarchy respond to the mistreatment of indigenous people?

Influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, the Spanish monarchy opposed the mistreatment of indigenous people, enacting new laws to improve their conditions and sending missionaries to evangelize them.

What impact did the discovery of new territories have on European powers?

The discovery of new territories led to intense competition among European powers, such as France, England, and the United Provinces, as they sought to exploit the riches of the Americas.

What was the fate of the colony founded by the French in Brazil?

The colony of France Antarctique founded in Brazil was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1560 as they sought to eliminate competition for resources and trade.