European Seabased Empires (1450-1750)

Introduction

• Period 1450-1750: Turning point in world history with European seabased empire building.
• Driven by state sponsorship due to changes in power distribution in European states.

Factors Driving Empire Building

• Population Growth: Recovery from Black Death led to growing populations.
• Power Consolidation: Monarchs consolidated power from the nobility, building militaries and learning gunpowder weapons.
• Taxation and Funding: Efficient taxation systems to fund empire building.

Motivation for Maritime Exploration

• Economic Desire: High demand for Asian and Southeast Asian spices, notably pepper.
• Land Route Control: Land routes controlled by land-based empires made spices expensive, prompting sea route exploration.

Notable European Seabased Empires

Portugal

• Location: Geographically positioned to expand via the sea.
• Prince Henry the Navigator: Sponsored voyages to find a water route to the Indian Ocean trade network.
• Technology: Adoption of compass and astrolabe; developed new ships like caravels and carracks.
• Economic and Religious Goals: Desire for gold and spices; spread Christianity and find fabled Prester John.
• Trading Post Empire: Established self-sufficient trading posts in Africa and Indian Ocean.
  • Key Figures: Vasco da Gama's voyages expanded Portuguese influence further.

Spain

• Motivation: Inspired by Portugal's success in the Indian Ocean.
• Christopher Columbus: Sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella; discovered the Americas instead of Asia.
• Further Exploration: Ferdinand Magellan's voyages to the East Indies.
• Colonization: Massive colonization effort in the Americas, opening transatlantic trade.

Other European States

• France: Sought westward passage to Indian Ocean; established presence in North America with the fur trade and Quebec.
• England: Late to exploration; established Jamestown in 1607 after initial failures.
• Dutch: Gained independence from Spain; competed in Indian Ocean trade; established New Amsterdam in the New World.

Conclusion

• European seabased empires were driven by political, economic, and religious motivations.
• These explorations significantly altered global trade routes and interactions.
• Ensuing wealth and power from these empires shifted the global balance of power.