The Age of Exploration and Reconnaissance

The Age of Exploration and Reconnaissance Crisis leads to Recovery in Asia and Europe China The Ming Dynasty: 30 Year period of Exploration and Trade, 1405 - 1433 Admiral Zheng He Europe Motives for Exploration 1. Search for resources: land 2. Search for new trade routes to Asian markets 3. Missionary zeal The Technology of Exploration 1. Ships with stern rudders and square and triangular lanteen sails can tack against the wind. 2. Navigational Instruments: magnetic compass and astrolabe. Later: cross staff and back staff. 3. Knowledge of wind patterns and ocean currents. MAP: Portuguese and Spanish Explorations, 1400 - 1600 Portugal leads the way Azores, Madeiras and Canary Islands Prince Henry of Portugal (1394 - 1460) 1488: Bartolomeu Dias: around the Cape of Good Hope 1497: Vasco da Gama: to India 1500: Portuguese est. trading post in Calicut Spain Follows Christopher Columbus of Genoa (1451 - 1506) 1492: The Taino People spot Floating Houses off their island 1519 - 1522: Ferdinand Magellan of Portugal circumnavigates the globe under flag of Spain Britain Takes Part Too Captain James Cook: Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Polynesia Botany Bay: The Endeavour arrives in 1770 Trading Post Empires in Asia Portuguese: Trading Forts in Africa, Hormuz, Goa, Melaka Dutch and English move ahead in the mid-sixteenth century 1. Faster and better ships 2. New type business organization: the Joint Stock Company English East India Company, founded 1600 United East India Company (Dutch), founded 1602 [VOC] The Philippines: Philip II of Spain Manila: the silk trade due to contact with Chinese community Indonesia: The Dutch trading empire: spices Competition: results in global conflict for control of trade routes Seven Years' War, 1756 - 1763 The Columbian Exchange: global diffusion of plants, animals, humans, diseases on an unprecedented scale that altered the world's human geography and natural environment Diseases: smallpox, measles, influenza, mumps Food: To the Americas: horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, honey bees, wheat, rice, peaches, sugar cane From the Americas: turkey, corn, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, peppers, peanuts, avocados, pineapples, cacao, vanilla (not exactly food: tobacco) Web Essay on Food Migration Human Migration: voluntary and involuntary (slaves) Cultural Exchange: ideas, beliefs and culture