This period marks a significant turning point in world history with the establishment of sea-based empires by European states.
State-sponsored or driven explorations are pivotal.
Distribution of Power
Post-Black Death, European populations recovered, and monarchs consolidated power, shifting from the nobility.
Introduction of military advancements and efficient taxation to support overseas expansion.
Motivations for Maritime Exploration
Desire for Asian and Southeast Asian spices, notably pepper, due to high costs imposed by land-based empire monopolies.
European states sought alternative trading routes, leading to an interest in sea exploration.
Portugal's Maritime Empire
Prince Henry the Navigator: Spearheaded exploration to establish an all-water route into the Indian Ocean.
Motivations:
Technology: Development of the caravel and carrack ships.
Economic: Riches from the trans-Saharan trade and Asian spices.
Religious: Spread of Christianity and search for Prester John.
Established trading post empires, focusing on self-sufficient trading posts rather than full colonies, starting in West Africa.
Vasco da Gama's voyages expanded the Portuguese trading post empire into the Indian Ocean, leveraging superior maritime technology.
Spain's Maritime Empire
Competition with Portugal led to Columbus's westward voyage sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella, mistaking the Americas for the East Indies.
This led to Spain's conquest and colonization in the Americas, opening the transatlantic trade route, which became more prosperous than the Indian Ocean trade.
Other European Powers
France: Sought westward passages to the Indian Ocean; established trading posts in North America engaging in the fur trade.
England: Focused on westward exploration following the defeat of Spain's Armada. Established colonies in the Americas, notably Jamestown.
Dutch: Through wealth gained from independence from Spain, competed for control in Africa and the Indian Ocean, founding New Amsterdam in the New World.
Conclusion
European sea-based empires fundamentally shifted global power dynamics, trade routes, and cultural exchanges, laying the groundwork for modern global interactions.