Age of Exploration and Empire

1. What factors led to the age of European exploration and discovery?

There are two main factors, which led to the rise of the age of exploration and discovery and one of these, was the development of advanced maritime technology such as the stern mounted rudder. This enabled many European vessels to comfortably navigate the world’s oceans. The second main reason was the need by European traders to bypass the trade routes to Asia which were land based and Muslim controlled. The development of maritime technology meant that travel to the East by water was much more effective than by land. This gave rise to the need for Europeans to explore and discover the world outside their own.

2. Why were the Portuguese the first European nation to look outward? How did their empire differ from the Spanish Empire?

The Portuguese were the first European nation to look outward because of the fact that it was surrounded to the east by Spain and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Since the Portuguese could not move to the east without any conflict with Spain, it was only natural for them go westward and this led to their being highly innovative in the field of marine navigation and technology. This led them to the areas which were yet to be explored by any Europeans and established them as the first Europeans to explore the lands along the Atlantic. The Portuguese empire differed to the Spanish empire in that while the former was governed as an integral part of Portugal, the Spanish empire was governed independently from Spain by viceroys appointed by the Spanish monarch.

3. What role did slavery play in the new international economy?

While slavery was an abominable practice, it played a crucial role in the economy of three continents, namely Africa, the Americas, and Europe. The trade in slaves was leading business during that age, and it was extremely profitable for those involved in it. Moreover, the slaves were used in the agricultural estates of the New World to generate raw materials for the industries of Europe. The manufactured goods, on the other hand, were not only consumed by Europeans and those in the colonies, but were also traded in Africa for more slaves. Thus, slavery continued to fuel the international economy and that is why it went on for as long as it did.

4. What sort of economic changes took place as a result of the European expansion?

There are many changes, which took place because of European expansion among which was the swift growth of the economy that had previously been stagnant. The expansion enabled the entrance of exotic goods into European markets ensuring that the Europeans acquired a taste for them. Such goods as spices were in high demand in Europe, and this intensified the trade in it, making the traders extremely wealthy as a result. Moreover, the European economy ceased being just domestic oriented and instead grew to become an export one instead. While, previously, raw materials were produced locally, Europe now came to heavily rely on its colonies for a steady supply.

5. What impact did European expansion have on the peoples of America, Africa, and Asia?

European expansion had a significant impact on the peoples of America, Africa and Asia because of the contact it brought between their cultures and the one of Europe. One of the impacts of European expansion was the development of colonization where the people of these three continents came to be placed under European rule. Furthermore, it led to the expansion of Christianity to these continents due to the increased missionary activity. Expansion created an avenue through which European culture and ideas came to be spread through these continents as the people within them came to adopt some of these ideas. With the culture came language, and this resulted in some peoples of these lands adopting the languages of the Europeans they came into contact with.