The Age of Exploration

• Reasons for an Age of Exploration: Knowledge, "Gold, Glory, God"

• Knowledge of the World: Europeans in the late 1400s had limited knowledge about the world. Many believed it was flat, but educated Europeans knew it was round. However, they had no idea about its size.

The Age of Exploration

• Ptolemy: An early geographer who observed and recorded the true appearance of the world.

• Marco Polo: A medieval traveler who went to China, expanding European knowledge about the world.

“I ONLY TOLD HALF OF WHAT I SAW”

Discovering new concepts, knowledge, and religion. Unveiling the unknown with Marco Polo. Concepts:

• paper money system

• efficient communication system

• coal burning

• gun powder

• porcelain

Knowledge of the world expanded through reading, mapmaking, and religious conversion.

Marco Polo: Communication Pioneer

• PEOPLE READ OF POLO’S ADVENTURES (COLUMBUS & PRINCE HENRY)

• TOPOGRAPHERS & CARTOGRAPHERS: MAPMAKERS.  MADE MORE ACCURATE MAPS

“GOD” = RELIGION

• In the late 1400s, there was only one religion in Europe, Christianity.

• European rulers very religious. 

  • They wanted to convert everyone to Christianity.

“GOD” = RELIGION

• SOME WANTED TO ESCAPE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

• SOME WANTED TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY 

“GLORY” = LARGE EMPIRES

• European rulers wanted to claim as much land as they could. 

• They wanted to take natural resources from newly discovered land 

Use the people that lived there to do their work.

“GOLD” = TRADE

• WANTED GOODS FROM ASIA. CHEAPER: 

  • TAFFETA, SILK, SPICES, DAMASK, MUSLIN, PERFUMES

• VENICE CONTROLLED TRADE. DEALT WITH MUSLIM MIDDLEMAN (Ottoman Empire)

Gold: In Search of Spices

• In the 1400s, there was no refrigeration. 

• To prevent from spoiling, people drowned meat in salt to preserve

  • (like beef jerky). 

• Used spices to cover taste of spoiled meat

Gold: in Search of Spices

• Spices only found in Asian countries 

  • China, Japan, and India 

• These countries known as “The Indies”

  • not in Europe

Dangerous Trade:

• Spices brought thousands of miles 

  • Dangerous mountains and deserts 

  • Bandits waiting to rob caravans

• Sea Voyage dangerous

  • Storms and diseases

Spices = $$$$

Spices in the 1400s

Trivia: Spices in the 1400s were not only used for enhancing the taste of fresh meat, but also for preserving it. They were highly valued and sought after, leading to the exploration and trading with other countries. Spices played a crucial role in creating new recipes and expanding culinary horizons. Discover the flavors that shaped history!

Let's see what you remember!