Changes

As Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages and experiencing the Renaissance, people had the curiosity and the courage to look beyond their own continent to others.  Scientific discoveries and technological improvements made it easier to travel across the vast oceans.  Christians sought to spread their faith far and wide, and merchants sought new goods and business opportunities in both the East and West.  North and South America awaited visits by the Europeans.

As Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages and experiencing the Renaissance, people had the curiosity and the courage to look beyond their own continent to others.  Scientific discoveries and technological improvements made it easier to travel across the vast oceans.  Christians sought to spread their faith far and wide, and merchants sought new goods and business opportunities in both the East and West.  North and South America awaited visits by the Europeans.

The Portuguese were the first great explorers.  They developed the “caravel”, a small, lightweight ship with three lateen-sailed masts that were faster and more maneuverable in shallow water than previous designs.  They could also hold a fair amount of spices, and the more cargo that a ship could hold, the greater its profitability would be.  European demand was strong for exotic Indian goods, especially spices, and this drove explorers to discover new routes to India different from the Eastern Mediterranean trade controlled by the Ottomans.   

The Portuguese were the first great explorers.  They developed the “caravel”, a small, lightweight ship with three lateen-sailed masts that were faster and more maneuverable in shallow water than previous designs.  They could also hold a fair amount of spices, and the more cargo that a ship could hold, the greater its profitability would be.  European demand for exotic Indian goods, especially spices, was strong, and this drove explorers to discover new routes to India different from the Eastern Mediterranean trade controlled by the Ottomans.   

The discovery of new western routes accidentally led to the discovery of lands in the New World (Western Hemisphere).  Portugal and Spain then emerged as the two major players in what was to become an intense European competition for exploration, conversion and colonization.   

The discovery of new western routes accidentally led to the discovery of lands in the New World (Western Hemisphere).  Portugal and Spain then emerged as the two major players in what was to become an intense European competition for exploration, conversion and colonization.   

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 likewise failed to reach India, but he did manage to sail around the tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) in 1487 and thereby establish the route to India.   

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 likewise failed to reach India, but he did manage to sail around the tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) in 1487 and thereby establish the route to India.   

In 1492, with funding from Spain (see below), Christopher Columbus embarked on his famous voyage with the dream of reaching India, and he failed in that goal also.  It was Vasco da Gama who 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.

In 1492, with funding from Spain (see below), Christopher Columbus embarked on his famous voyage with the dream of reaching India, and he failed in that goal also.  It was Vasco da Gama who 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 Portuguese King Manuel, and conflict began with the Muslims over dominance of Indian Ocean trade.

Later, with funding and men from Spain (see below), the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan became the first to lead an expedition around the globe.  

Later, with funding and men from Spain (see below), the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan became the first to lead an expedition around the globe.