Question about american history and age of exploration?

January 8th, 2009
  • What historical and geographic realities influenced European efforts during the Age of Exploration? Which nations led the way and what technological advances enabled them to succeed?


  • The Basque people used to fish off what is now Newfoundland but kept it a secret. They were first to know the American Continent and before Eric the Red from Scandinavia. Europe was trying to find sea routes to the East for trade. Geographical realities is a meaningless term without a context.


  • The Spanish landed on the Dominican Republic in 1492 (Columbus). They found tropical weather, fish, and usable farm land.

    The treaty of tordesillas 1494 was a papal bull granting everythin to the west of the line of tordesillas to spain and everything east to Portugal.

    Spain found gold and indian civilizations.

    Portugal found brazilwood, trees used for dye, and a perfect environment to grow sugar. Once sugar started being grown (btw, don't think of sugar as coming in tiny packets that you get for free at starbucks, sugar was a rare delicacy and only enjoyed by the rich.) the real slave trade started. To the end, 40% of all slaves were sent to Brazil.

    Portugal led the technological wave. They became expert shipbuilders, mapmakers, and astronomers. They also built the caravel (a ship) and refined the astrolabe and compass for navigation

    France, Bitain and the Dutch had a minor hand in the Americas. They were more interested in India. Britain came later to orth America and made cotton and tobacco. French traded fur in Louisiana and canada.







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