Explanation:
The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, is the period in European history when overseas exploration began to grow in popularity. This era began in the late 1400’s and lasted through the 1700’s. It is responsible for influencing European culture, initiating globalization, and introducing colonialism around the world. For many Europeans, the Age of Exploration signifies a time when new lands were discovered. However, for many others, the Age of Exploration is remembered as a time their lands were invaded and settled by newcomers.
Overseas travel, exploration, and discovery paved the way for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa (the Old World) and Australia and the Americas (the New World). This trade brought about the exchange of new foods, animals, and plants. Additionally, it saw the introduction of new human populations, including an increase in the trade and sale of slaves and the use of slavery. The Age of Exploration facilitated the exchange of ideas and religions between the hemispheres, but also resulted in the spread of communicable diseases, which severely reduced and, in some cases, wiped out some populations.
Because of this historical period, world maps are now available. Although, this arguably led to increased military conquest and resource exploitation. Christian missionaries were also able to spread around the world during the Age of Exploration, helping Christianity become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world.
Events Leading Up To The Age Of Exploration
Before the Age of Exploration really took off, several seafaring expeditions occurred, leaving behind some information that prompted the Age of Exploration. In the 12th century, Muhammad al-Idrisi, an Arab geographer, created a world map for the King of Sicily. Al-Idrisi collected information from Norman explorers and Islamic merchants, creating the most complex and thorough world map of its time. However, little was known about the southern reaches of the African continent, so it was excluded. This map, the Tabula Rogeriana, provided inspiration to a number of curious explorers.
From the late 13th to early 15th century (the Middle Ages), some explorers traveled by land from to Eurasia and beyond, using pre-existing trade routes from Eurasia to the Middle East to China. These trips were carried out by Italian traders, Christian missionaries, and Russian royalty. In the mid-14th century, a Moroccan scholar set out to several regions, including: North Africa, West Africa, the Sahara desert, the Horn of Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, and China. During the early 15th century, Arab and Chinese traders traveled along the Indian Ocean and to present-day India, Thailand, East Africa, Arabia, and Southeast Asia. When the Yongle Emperor of China died, however, the new Emperor advocated isolationism and abolished international exploration and trade. Several books were published about travel accounts, feeding the greater of the world and its undiscovered places.
The First Discoveries Of The Age Of Exploration
The Portuguese are often credited with making the first discoveries of the Age of Exploration. These exploration parties traveled down the west coast of Africa and eventually to the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean by 1488. A decade later, Vasco de Gama discovered the way around the Cape of Good Hope and to India, which established the first sea route between Portugal and India. Portuguese exploration continued to Japan in 1542 and to Brazil in 1500.
Late in the 15th century, Spain became involved in sea exploration as well in order to overcome the monopoly that Portugal held over the west African trade route. In 1492, Christopher Columbus left Spain, manning 3 ships, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. His exploration crew first landed in the already inhabited Canary Islands before proceeding to the Bahamas. He erroneously believed that he had landed in the West Indies. hope this helps :D
