The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery (15th-18th centuries), saw European explorers in chronological order from Portugal and Spain venturing out to discover new territories and establish colonies. It was a period marked by significant historical events and explorations that shaped the world as we know it today.
Portuguese Exploration and Colonization
Portugal was the first country to seek out a new path to the East by going around Africa. Portuguese sailors and explorers like Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartholomew Dias, and Vasco da Gama played crucial roles in this exploration. They desired gold, spices, and the expansion of trade routes, leading to the beginning of the African slave trade. These explorations also resulted in the discovery of new territories and the establishment of colonies, significantly impacting the world economy and the development of modern nation-states.
Spanish Empire in the New World
The Spanish Empire, on the other hand, focused on the exploration and colonization of the Americas. Spanish conquistadors, missionaries, and settlers ventured to the New World, stretching the Spanish language, culture, and religion from California to Argentina. They aimed to convert the natives to Christianity, control the economy for their benefit, and establish governments in the colonies. The Spanish also utilized the encomienda system, which led to the mistreatment and exploitation of Native Americans for labor in mines and plantations. Despite the thriving towns and cities developed as a result, the impact of Spanish colonization led to the decimation of Native populations and the introduction of slavery in the Americas.
Christopher Columbus and the Establishment of New Colonies
Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, sought to reach the East Indies and eventually landed in San Salvador in 1492, thinking he had reached the Indies. His journey was sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who desired power, prestige, and increased wealth through the establishment of new colonies. Columbus's journey and the subsequent Spanish exploration had a significant impact on global trade, social hierarchy, and the spread of Christianity.
Impact of the Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration had far-reaching effects on the world, changing the balance of power, introducing the slave trade into Europe, and contributing to the development of modern nation-states. The exploration of the Far East and the "New" World led to a more developed world economy and transformed the European intellectual universe. However, it also brought about the decimation of native populations, the introduction of slavery, and significant changes in social hierarchies and cultural blending.
Atlantic Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade, initiated by the Portuguese and later adopted by other European powers, played a crucial role in the age of exploration. It resulted in the enslavement of millions of African people, significant loss of cultures, and the establishment of trade routes that shaped the world's economy and social dynamics.
In conclusion, the Age of Exploration, marked by the actions of Portuguese and Spanish explorers and colonizers, had a lasting impact on the world, contributing to the development of global trade, the introduction of new territories and colonies, and significant changes in social, cultural, and economic dynamics.
