European Sea-based Empires: 1450 to 1750

Overview

• Period marks a significant turning point in world history.
• Development of state-sponsored sea-based empires by European states.

Key Concepts

• State Sponsorship: Driven by changes in European power distribution.
  • Post-Black Death population recovery.
  • Monarchs consolidating power, reducing nobility influence.
  • Militarization and efficient taxation to fund empire-building.
• Motivations for Exploration:
  • Spice trade, especially pepper, was a key motivator.
  • Control over land routes by other empires increased cost, encouraging sea routes.

Major European Players

Portugal

• Geography: Limited expansion possibilities, therefore turned to sea.
• Prince Henry the Navigator:
  • Sponsored early maritime explorations.
  • Motivations: Technology (compass, astrolabe, caravel), economics (gold, spices), religion (spread Christianity, find Prester John).
• Empire Strategy:
  • Trading post empire around Africa and Indian Ocean.
  • Vasco da Gama explored coasts, reached Calicut, capitalized on Indian Ocean trade.

Spain

• Ferdinand and Isabella: Sponsored Christopher Columbus.
• Christopher Columbus:
  • Proposed westward route to Asia.
  • Landed in Caribbean, believed it was Southeast Asia.
  • Opened transatlantic trade, leading to colonization in the Americas.
• Ferdinand Magellan: Completed circumnavigation, strengthened Spanish presence in East Indies.

Other European States

France

• Explorations:
  • Sought westward passage to Asia, did not find it.
  • Established trading posts in North America (fur trade), founded Quebec.

England

• Initial Hesitance: Wealth from textiles delayed exploration.
• Queen Elizabeth I:
  • Defeated Spain, promoted exploration.
  • Commissioned Sir Walter Raleigh, established Virginia, Jamestown.

Dutch

• Independence from Spain: Became wealthiest in Europe.
• Explorations:
  • Competed in African and Indian Ocean trading posts.
  • Sponsored Henry Hudson, founded New Amsterdam in the New World.

Conclusion

• European sea-based empires led to significant global shifts in trade and power.
• Exploration driven by political, economic, and religious factors.
• Development of new trade routes and colonies had lasting impacts on world history.