CAUSES of EUROPEAN EXPLORATION [AP World History Review—Unit 4 Topic 2]

Summary

This video explores how European states built sea-based empires between 1450 and 1750. It highlights the key role of state sponsorship, driven by monarchs seeking power, wealth, and global influence. Portugal and Spain led the charge with maritime explorations, seeking alternative trade routes to Asia. The Portuguese established a trading post empire, while Spain conquered and colonized the Americas. Other European nations like France, England, and the Netherlands soon followed, driven by political rivalry, wealth, and territorial expansion. The video emphasizes the technological, economic, and religious motivations behind these explorations.

Takeaways

• 🌍 European sea-based empires emerged between 1450-1750 due to state sponsorship, marking a significant shift in global history.
• 👑 The growth of centralized power in European monarchies, such as more effective taxation and stronger militaries, enabled these states to fund maritime exploration.
• 🌶️ A major motivation for exploration was the high demand for Asian spices, especially pepper, which was expensive due to land-based trade route controls.
• 🧭 Portugal was the first European state to engage in maritime exploration, with Prince Henry the Navigator playing a key role in developing new technologies and ships like the caravel.
• 💰 Portugal's initial focus was on gold from the trans-Saharan trade, but later shifted towards the lucrative spice trade in the Indian Ocean.
• ⛪ Religious motivations also played a role, including the desire to spread Christianity and find the mythical Christian monarch, Prester John.
• 🚢 The Portuguese established a 'trading post empire,' setting up strategic trading posts around Africa and the Indian Ocean, rather than full colonies.
• 🇪🇸 Spain followed Portugal, with Christopher Columbus discovering the Americas in 1492 while seeking a westward route to Asia.
• 🏞️ France, England, and the Netherlands also joined in maritime exploration, with each focusing on establishing trading posts and colonies in the Americas and Asia.
• ⚔️ Spain’s dominance declined after the defeat by England, allowing other European states to increase their influence in global trade networks.

Q & A

What was a major turning point in world history during 1450-1750?

The major turning point was the development of sea-based empires by European states, driven by state-sponsored maritime exploration.

Why was the new era of sea-based empire building state-sponsored?

It was state-sponsored because European monarchs consolidated power, built up their militaries, and implemented efficient taxation to support these explorations.

What motivated European states to sponsor maritime exploration?

European states were motivated by economic interests like spices, political power, and religious motivations, including spreading Christianity and seeking alliances with other Christian rulers.

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator and why was he important?

Prince Henry the Navigator was a member of the Portuguese royal family who sponsored the first European attempts to find a sea route into the Indian Ocean trade network, driven by technological, economic, and religious motivations.

What kind of technology helped Portugal in its early explorations?

Portugal adopted tools like the compass and astrolabe and developed new ships like the caravel and the carrack, which were suitable for long-distance exploration.

What strategy did the Portuguese use for empire building?

The Portuguese established a trading post empire, creating self-sufficient trading posts in various locations to facilitate trade rather than establishing full-blown colonies.

How did Vasco da Gama contribute to Portuguese exploration?

Vasco da Gama sailed around the southern tip of Africa to reach Calicut, where he discovered the lucrative trade opportunities in the Indian Ocean, leading to further Portuguese expansion in the region.

How did Spain get involved in sea-based exploration?

Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella sponsored Christopher Columbus's westward voyage, which led to the discovery of the Americas and opened up opportunities for transatlantic trade.

What was Christopher Columbus's mistake about his discovery?

Columbus mistakenly believed that he had reached the East Indies when he landed in the Caribbean islands, but later it became evident that he had discovered previously unknown continents.

Which other European states joined the maritime exploration efforts after Spain and Portugal?

France, England, and the Dutch joined the maritime exploration efforts, each seeking new routes, trade opportunities, and establishing colonies, like the French in North America, the English in Virginia, and the Dutch in New Amsterdam.