Reading Questions
Navigate through the site, read the information and answer the following questions:
- How did past knowledge and new knowledge of the environment help European sailors? Be sure and discuss both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
- Describe technological diffusions that occurred in the 1450-1750 time period. Name the technology, its origins, and where it diffused. (At least 2 different ones)
- Describe new technologies of the 1450 - 1750 time period and specific examples of how they facilitated patterns of trade and travel from 1450 to 1750. (At least 2 different ones)
- Making connections: Give an example of technology in the 1750-1900 time period that facilitated trade and travel during that later time period.
- Explain the political, cultural and economic motives for exploration.
- Why was Columbus consequential?
- Why was Vasco de Gama Consequential?
Introduction
During the latter half of the Post Classical Era, Western Europe was emerging out of the “Dark Ages.” While trade between European and Muslim merchants was still occurring, the aftermath of the Crusades brought hostility between Christians and Muslims. Cities like Venice were becoming more involved in Mediterranean trade with primarily Byzantine merchants. Constantinople served as Western Europe’s access to Afro-Eurasian trade. However, in 1453, the Ottoman Empire sacked Constantinople and the Byzantium Empire fell, causing Islam to spread further into Eastern Europe. With the Ottoman Empire controlling the entire eastern half of the Mediterranean, Western Europeans lost their access to the Indian Ocean trade. Eager to get their hands on Afro-Eurasian goods like gold, silk, and spices, Europeans searched for routes to the Indian Ocean that avoids interaction with the Islamic Empires. This promoted European exploration around the southern coast of Africa and the creation of trade ports throughout the African coastline and eventually throughout the Indian Ocean. Since this new route is not the most direct to the Indian Ocean in comparison to Constantinople, it would serve as motivation for Christopher Columbus to search for a quicker route to China and India by sailing thru the Atlantic Ocean.