2.1+Age+of+Exploration

Exploration in new lands
 * Chapter 14 opens with the beginning of the search for new lands.


 * Many European countries searched the oceans, looking for the ends of the earth and new trade routes.


 * Aside from stories of fantastical lands, there was a motive that would not shut down even to this day: gold and trade.


 * With the possibility of linking Asia to Europe through the Atlantic Ocean, many saw it as a very interesting venture exploring new lands.


 * Gold was found in bunches in the South American coast by the Spanish.


 * The Spanish controlled areas all the way down from what is now Florida, to Chile and Venezuela.

Chris Columbus > Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas by accident.He was searching for a trade route to Asia and mistook the Americas for Asia. > In his diaries, Christopher described a place that was picturesque, with blue water and fruit trees.


 * Christopher made direct notations that he thought he had found the Garden of Eden and told of this wonderful place when he returned to Europe.


 * Christopher had stumbled upon the Caribbean however, more than 10,000 miles away from the Asian coast.


 * With his exploration he brought back Gold and spices.

Portugal and Spain

> Portugal and Spain led the exploration.


 * The Dutch, French, and Britain moved on later in the 1600’s to join in on the fun.


 * Each of these countries was battling to create their own colonial empires in Africa, Asia, and Americas.


 * Then the African slave trade was started by the Portuguese, who were just looking for a sea route to the spice lands.


 * Slaves were used as domestic servants in Europe.


 * Slaves became much more needed when sugar cane produced big profits and required lots of work.


 * The journey of slaves from Africa to America was known as the Middle passage.

Asia

Portugal never fully controlled Southeast Asia.


 * European countries had little impact on Asia compared to Americas because countries like Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam had long standing, strong monarchies that resisted western political ideas.


 * Vietnam undertook a civil war because to western ideas and their influence on parts of the population.


 * Portuguese were the first to arrive in India.


 * They dominated the regional trade in the Indian Ocean.

China


 * In China, the Ming Dynasty had ruled from 1369-1644.


 * China had its rule in Mongolia and Central Asia.


 * In1630’s, major epidemic devastated the population


 * Li Lichen led a revolt.


 * The Antiochus conquered Beijing and wiped out Lichen's army.


 * Started Quing Dynasty.

Japan and economy


 * Japan had westerners from Portugal come in and try to influence western culture and ideas.


 * Tokugawa forced them out.


 * Inflation was a major economic problem in the 16-1700’s


 * Join stock companies started. (Price revolution started)