The Atlantic World 1492-

1800 Mr. Green

Topics to be Covered in this Unit:

Early Explorations Spain Builds an American EmpireNorth America is SettledAtlantic Slave TradeColumbian Exchange

Christianity Spreads As a direct result of exploration, Christianity spreadFelt that it was their duty to spread the gospel

Prince HenryBecause he financed more that 14 voyages, Prince Henry earned the nickname as the NavigatorAllowed Portugal to gain an early lead in exploring the unknown depths of the World

New TechnologyBecause the open seas were dreadful, better ships were needed to continue exploration effortsNew vessel was created- The Caravel Large cargo areas, triangular and square sails, adopted the compass from China

Nations That Took Exploration to the Extreme

PortugalSpainEnglandFranceNetherlands (The Dutch)

Dutch East India Company

Founded in early 17th Century to establish direct trade with AsiaBy 1700, the Dutch were the World’s leader in trading

Early Explorers Bartolomeu Dias- Explored from Portugal to the Cape of Good HopeVasco da Gama- Gave Portugal a direct sea route to India by sailing around the tip of Africa to southwest coast of India; Brought back silks and spices

Competition for Wealth There was a fierce competition for wealth amongst European nationsWas a question of- “Who would make a discovery that would make trade and travel easier to India and Asia? What would be the quickest route?”

Spain Builds An American Empire

Instead of sailing all the way around the Southern Tip of Africa, Christopher Columbus decided to sail West across the Atlantic

Christopher Columbus

In search of an Alternate route to Asia, Columbus comes face to face with a New World

Lands on an island he names San Salvador in 1492 in the Caribbean

The Idea Comes to LightWhile spending time in Greenland and Iceland on previous voyages, he overhears stories of Norsemen (Vikings) who sailed west and found new landThis is proof that he was not the first to discover ‘The New World’

Getting the MissionAfter 20 years of delegation across Europe, Columbus is finally financed by SpainWas denied so many times before because leaders said he was ‘crazy’ and ‘foolish’ to want to go into the open sea

First EncounterThinking he reached the East Indies, he names the natives that he met ‘Indians’His first Journey was strictly for EXPLORATION that was funded by SpainSince he promised Spain something and return and found nothing, he convinced the Spanish to fund TWO MORE voyages

1493 and 1502His next two voyages were strictly businessBringing a cavalry of ships, he helped plunder the surrounding areasThis in return created Colonies- Lands controlled by another nation

Why Is He Remembered?Being ONE of the first discoverers of the New World, he did it in a time of news coverageBecause of him, this New World TRULY became a reality and would change the World forever