European and Expansion
- Europe's Role in Global Expansion
- Impact of European Exploration
- European Colonization Strategies
- Consequences of European Imperialism
- European Slave Trade
- Disease Transmission and Effects
- Industrial Revolution and Global Impact
Europe's Role in Global Expansion
- Europe played a pivotal role in global expansion through exploration and colonization.
- For instance, Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas in 1492 marked the beginning of European expansion.
Impact of European Exploration
- European exploration led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
- One significant example is the Columbian Exchange, which facilitated the transfer of crops, animals, and diseases.
European Colonization Strategies
- European powers employed various colonization strategies, including establishing colonies for resource extraction and territorial expansion.
- For instance, the British colonization of India was driven by economic motives and the quest for political dominance.
Consequences of European Imperialism
- European imperialism led to the exploitation of indigenous populations and the imposition of colonial rule.
- For example, the Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century resulted in the partitioning of the continent among European powers.
European Slave Trade
- The European slave trade involved the forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas for labor.
- This transatlantic trade had devastating social, economic, and cultural impacts on African societies.
Disease Transmission and Effects
- European exploration led to the spread of diseases such as smallpox, which decimated indigenous populations.
- For instance, the introduction of smallpox to the Americas had catastrophic consequences for Native American populations.
Industrial Revolution and Global Impact
- The Industrial Revolution in Europe transformed global economies and societies through technological advancements.
- For example, the invention of the steam engine revolutionized transportation and manufacturing processes worldwide.
Age of Exploration
- Portuguese and Spanish Dominance in Shipping Routes
- Portuguese Exploration
- Prince Henry the Navigator
- Vasco da Gama's Voyages
- Spanish Exploration
- Christopher Columbus' Expeditions
- Treaty of Tordesillas
- Explorations by Other European Powers
Portuguese and Spanish Dominance in Shipping Routes
Portugal and Spain controlled crucial shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and the Atlantic Ocean during the Age of Exploration. This dominance allowed them to establish trade networks and expand their influence globally.
Portuguese Exploration
The Portuguese were pioneers in exploration, with notable figures such as Prince Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama leading significant expeditions.
- Prince Henry the Navigator: Prince Henry, also known as Infante Dom Henrique, played a key role in promoting and funding Portuguese exploration efforts.
- Vasco da Gama's Voyages: Vasco da Gama made groundbreaking voyages to eastern Africa and India, opening up new sea routes and establishing lucrative trade connections.
Spanish Exploration
Spain also made significant contributions to exploration, most notably through the endeavors of Christopher Columbus and the Treaty of Tordesillas.
- Christopher Columbus' Expeditions: Financed by Spain, Columbus embarked on voyages that led to the discovery of the Americas, marking a crucial turning point in global history.
- Treaty of Tordesillas: The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, shaping the future of colonization and trade.
Explorations by Other European Powers
The successes of Portugal and Spain inspired other European nations like England, the Netherlands, and France to launch their own exploratory missions, aiming to establish colonies and enhance their power and wealth.
Explorers
- Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci explored South America in 1500.
- Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in 1513.
- Vasco de Balboa
Vasco de Balboa journeyed through Central America in 1513.
- Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan's expedition in 1519 led from South America to the Philippines.
- Giovanni da Verrazzano
Giovanni da Verrazzano explored North America in 1524.
- Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake was the first to circumnavigate the globe in 1578.
- John Cabot
John Cabot explored North America in 1497.
- Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson journeyed along the Hudson River in 1609.
Products that aided new explorations
- Sternpost Rudder
The Sternpost Rudder, originating from China, provided improved ship control.
- Lateen Sails
Lateen Sails, developed in the Roman Empire, allowed better directional control of ships.
- Astrolabe
The Astrolabe, a navigation instrument, measured distances between celestial bodies to determine latitude.
- Magnetic Compass
The Magnetic Compass, invented in China, assisted in determining direction accurately.
- Three-Masted Caravels
Three-Masted Caravels were large ships suitable for extended sea voyages.
The Age of Exploration: Nautical Innovations
- Sternpost Rudder: Originated in China, this innovation significantly enhanced ship control.
- Lateen Sails: Introduced in the Roman Empire, these sails facilitated precise directional control of ships.
- Astrolabe: A navigational instrument used to measure the angle between celestial bodies and the horizon, aiding in determining a ship's latitude.
- Magnetic Compass: Initially developed in China, this device revolutionized navigation by providing a reliable means to determine direction.
- Three-Masted Caravels: These large ships were specifically designed for extended maritime journeys, making them ideal for exploration and trade.
The New World: Accidental Empire
The accidental discovery of the New World led to a paradigm shift in global history, marking the beginning of a new era in exploration, conquest, and cultural exchange.
- Spanish Exploration of Aztec and Inca Empires
- Spanish explorers, such as Hernando Cortés, discovered abundant riches in the Aztec and Inca Empires.
- Hernando Cortés: Conquest of the Aztec Empire
- In 1519, Hernando Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico with the intention of exploiting the wealth of the Aztec Empire, particularly their gold and spices.
- Cortés found support from neighboring states in his quest to conquer the Aztecs, as they had already subjugated many nearby communities. Those who resisted were either coerced or met with violence.
- Motivated by a desire for riches, Cortés swiftly captured Montezuma and initiated a siege of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire.
Disease: Ultimate Weapon of Mass Destruction
- Spanish introduced smallpox to the Aztec Empire, leading to a drastic population decline from 20 million in 1520 to 2 million in 1580. This facilitated Spanish control by 1525.
- Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in 1531 was partly a result of disease spread, solidifying his dominance by 1535.
The Encomienda System
The Encomienda System was a labor system in colonial Spain where Spanish crown granted encomenderos the right to extract labor from indigenous people in exchange for protection and Christianization.
This system was often abused, leading to exploitation and mistreatment of the indigenous population.
Encomenderos held significant power and influence in the colonies, impacting social and economic structures.
Over time, the Encomienda System contributed to the decline of indigenous populations due to harsh conditions and forced labor.
Colonial Society in Spanish America
- Spanish colonial society in the New World was structured hierarchically:
- Peninsulares: Spanish officials who governed the colonies directly.
- Creoles: Spaniards born in the colonies to Spanish parents. Though educated and wealthy, they were restricted from holding high positions.
- Mestizos: Individuals with European and Native American ancestry.
- Mulattos: People of European and African descent.
- Native Americans.
- Viceroys, appointed to govern each of the five regions of New Spain, introduced the encomienda system, which enforced labor upon Native Americans and African slaves.
Viceroys
Viceroys were appointed officials who governed in the name of the Spanish monarch in the Americas.
Encomienda
The encomienda system was a labor system established by the Spanish crown in the American colonies. It allowed Spanish settlers to use indigenous people as laborers.
African Slave Trade
The African Slave Trade was a devastating period in history where millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland to work in the New World.
- Slaves were brought to the New World to work on plantations and mines. They were subjected to harsh working conditions and treatment.
- Europeans took advantage of an existing system of slavery in Africa, where prisoners were meant to serve their captors before being released.
- Europeans traded for enslaved individuals without understanding that they were not meant to be permanent slaves.
- As the demand for slaves in Europe grew, the methods of procuring them became increasingly brutal, including kidnapping, instigating conflicts, and pressuring African rulers to provide citizens as slaves.
The Middle Passage was a horrific journey endured by enslaved Africans during transportation to the New World. Many perished due to inhumane conditions.
Approximately 13 million Africans were forcibly taken during the slave trade, with the majority sent to South America and the Caribbean. Tragically, around 20% of the enslaved individuals did not survive each voyage.
The Atlantic Slave Trade
- As demand for slaves in Europe increased, the continent resorted to extreme measures such as kidnapping Africans, instigating conflicts, and pressuring local leaders to surrender their people.
- Enslaved individuals were compelled onto ships, where they were shackled below the deck, enduring the harsh and inhumane conditions of the Middle Passage.
- Approximately 13 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland, with 60% destined for South America, 35% for the Caribbean, and 5% for North America. Tragically, about 20% of the captives perished during each voyage.
Middle Passage
- The Middle Passage marked the treacherous journey undertaken by enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Columbian Exchange
- The Columbian Exchange facilitated the transfer of animals, plants, diseases, people, technology, and ideas between Europe, the Americas, and Africa, heralding a new era of global interconnectedness.
- This exchange, unprecedented in history, led to significant demographic shifts and cultural transformations across continents. For instance, the introduction of new food products resulted in population growth in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Two pivotal commodities, sugar and silver, played a crucial role in shaping the economic landscapes of Spanish colonies. Sugar plantations proliferated, relying heavily on coerced labor, while silver mining bolstered Spain's influence, even extending to Ming China.
The Impact of Global Transfers of Goods
- Never before had so much moved across the ocean
- Transfer of food products caused population increase in Europe, Asia, and Africa
- Two key products: sugar (plantations appeared all over Spanish colonies), silver (mining also in Spanish colonies) - both used significant forced labor
- Spanish control of silver opened doors in Ming China
The Commercial Revolution
- The Commercial Revolution marked a significant period of economic transformation in Europe.
- This era saw a surge in overseas trade and the development of new financial instruments.
- Key industries, such as textiles and mining, experienced substantial growth and innovation.
- Technological advancements, like the printing press, facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas.
Age of Exploration
- Initiated by trading, empire building, and conquest fueled by innovative financing schemes.
- Introduction of banking practices led to the formation of joint-stock companies, pooling resources of merchants to mitigate risks.
- This era resulted in substantial profits and laid the foundation for the modern stock market concept.
- Key players like the Muscovy Company and the Dutch East India Company dominated critical trade routes.
Mercantilism
- Advocated the notion of maintaining a favorable balance between imports and exports as the optimal economic strategy.
- Imbalanced trade demands led to intense colonial pursuits by European powers to meet import needs, sparking resentment in colonies.
Global Impact
- Europe's limited trade interactions with China during the 16th to 18th centuries.
- Portugal's strategic control of the Spice Islands to secure trade routes to China.
- China and Japan upheld stringent limitations on trade engagements with foreign entities.
Regional Developments (1450-1750)
- Diverse impacts across regions such as Europe, Middle East, India, China, and Japan due to major movements of the era.
- Power dynamics favored the elite, restricting the participation of the peasant class in advancements.
- Rise of powerful states in the Middle East, India, China, and Japan, fostering loyalty but also fueling conflicts and wars.
Europe's Limited Trade with China (16th-18th Century)
- Europe established limited trade with China from the 16th to the 18th century.
- Portugal gained control of the Spice Islands to gain access to China.
- China and Japan still highly limited their trade with European nations.
Developments in Specific Countries - 1450-1750
- During the period of 1450-1750, major movements influenced different parts of Europe uniquely.
- Individuals in power safeguarded their positions, excluding the peasant class from participating in societal advancements.
- Strong states emerged in the Middle East, India, China, and Japan.
- Monarchies fostered strong loyalties but also instigated numerous conflicts and wars.