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===Portuguese Exploration===

===Portuguese Exploration===

The Portuguese initiated the age of exploration in Europe as early as 1394, when Prince Henry the Navigator established his School of Navigation and made it his life’s work to explore the West African coast and reach the Indian Ocean.  His ships reached as far as Sierra Leone, but he failed to reach India.  Another explorer named Bartholomew Diaz failed to reach India also, but he did manage to sail around the tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) in 1487.   

The Portuguese initiated the age of exploration in Europe as early as about 1419, when Prince Henry the Navigator established his School of Navigation and made it his life’s work to explore the West African coast and reach the Indian Ocean.  His ships reached as far as Sierra Leone, but he failed to reach India.  Another explorer named Bartholomew Diaz failed to reach India also, but he did manage to sail around the tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) in 1487.   

It was during this time that a young Italian by the name of Christopher Columbus approached the Portuguese King John II to ask him for financial support.  Columbus, like many from the Italian city of Genoa, was an expert mariner, having started as early as the age of 14.  He had studied the works of Ptolemy on his own; Columbus did not attend formal school, just as homeschoolers do not today.  Columbus at all times was a devout Christian, writing frequently about his faith in his diary.  His desire to sail to India was motivated in large part by his attempt to spread the Christian faith.  He repeatedly cited a desire to convert pagans to Christianity when he sought support for his voyage.  Late in life, even when treated as a prisoner, he sought to devote all his money and efforts towards winning back Jesus Christ’s Holy Sepulchre (burial cave) from Muslims in the Holy Land.  

It was during this time that a young Italian by the name of Christopher Columbus approached the Portuguese King John II to ask him for financial support.  Columbus, like many from the Italian city of Genoa, was an expert mariner, having started as early as the age of 14.  He had studied the works of Ptolemy on his own; Columbus did not attend formal school, just as homeschoolers do not today.  Columbus at all times was a devout Christian, writing frequently about his faith in his diary.  His desire to sail to India was motivated in large part by his attempt to spread the Christian faith.  He repeatedly cited a desire to convert pagans to Christianity when he sought support for his voyage.  Late in life, even when treated as a prisoner, he sought to devote all his money and efforts towards winning back Jesus Christ’s Holy Sepulchre (burial cave) from Muslims in the Holy Land.  

King John II denied Columbus’s request to fund his voyage across the Atlantic.  Indeed, Columbus was ridiculed for seeking to reach India by sailing west rather than east.   

King John II denied Columbus’s request to fund his voyage across the Atlantic.  Indeed, Columbus was ridiculed for seeking to reach India by sailing west rather than east.   

Vasco da Gama finally reached India by sailing eastward around Africa and up the East African coast between 1497 and 1499, with the help of the powerful monsoon winds.  Shortly thereafter, regular trade was established with India under the Portuguese King Manuel, and conflict began with the Muslims over dominance of Indian Ocean trade.

Vasco da Gama finally reached India by sailing eastward around Africa and up the East African coast between 1497 and 1499, with the help of the powerful monsoon winds.  Shortly thereafter, regular trade was established with India under the Portuguese King Manuel, and conflict began with the Muslims over dominance of Indian Ocean trade.

===Spanish Exploration===

===Spanish Exploration===