The Age of Exploration

The Age of Exploration

Summary: Provides a look at the many explorers of the Age of Exploration. Discusses the the high demands for Asian goods in Europe and the need for quicker trade routes to Asia for these goods. Describes how the era led European merchants to adopt a new policy of mercantilism aimed at strengthening their national economies.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed west in hope of reaching the east coast of Asia. Instead, he landed in, what we call today, the Bahamas. This European explorer was only one of many that sailed to different parts of the world to discover new trade routes and new lands. This time, known as the Age of Exploration, was brought about by the high demands for Asian goods in Europe and the need for quicker trade routes to Asia for these goods.

These Asian goods, such as cinnamon, cloves, and pepper, were going through a type of "trade chain.

" The prices increased as the Asian goods went through this "chain" into Europe. The price rose each time a new merchant received these rare spices in the chain of merchants. European rulers wanted to gain faster access to the many Asian spices and th.....

The Renaissance, the revival of classical art, literature, and learning which took place in Europe in 15th and 16th centuries, sparked imaginations and made people eager to explore. The promise of new riches, such as the spices as silks of the Far East, and the potential discovery of the fabled Northwest Passage were the primary objectives, which fueled the exploration of the New World. The age of exploration was filled with courageous voyagers and conquistadors …showed first 75 words of 941 total…

…showed last 75 words of 941 total…the port of Seville. Between 1560 and 1600, much of Europe experienced large economic increased. The colonization resulted in political control of much of South and North America; costal regions of Africa, India, China and Japan; and many of the Pacific islands. This political supremacy was accomplished