The Age of (European) Exploration 1400-1550

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Background

• E. Med. was controlled by the Italians and
  Ottomans
• N.A. Muslims controlled African overland routes
• Portugal began to seek new, more direct routes to
  gold, spices, and slaves

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Technology

• Improved mapmaking made it easier to navigate in
  the open ocean
• The astrolabe measured the positions of the stars
  and made it possible to determine latitude

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The Astrolabe
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• Europeans improved the compass that had first
  been developed in the Arab world
• The Portuguese caravel was faster and more
  maneuverable than previous ships
• The lateen sail and rudder made it possible to
  sail against the wind

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Lateen Sail
Rudder
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Portuguese Caravel
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West Africa

• Portuguese trading stations in West Africa were
  soon established
• African gold and ivory were brought back to
  Europe from Africas Gold and Ivory Coasts
• In 1441, Portuguese traders also began buying
  slaves along the Slave Coast

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Beyond Africa

• King John II wanted to find a route around Africa
  to reach the spice trade in India and China
• In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias rounded Africas Cape
  of Good Hope

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Diass Voyage
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Cape of Good Hope
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• King John then ordered an expedition to India
• Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498
• A Portuguese trading empire in Asia now seemed
  possible

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Da Gamas Voyage