“Why were the 1400s referred to in the text book as the Century of Portuguese exploration? ” Chapter Two “The mid-to-late 15th century is documented as the “Age of Discovery” or the “Age of Exploration” by historians. During this time globalization was set into motion by adventurous maritime travel with ships setting sail on the seas of the Old World with their destination being the “Other World”. No European country understood the size of the Atlantic Ocean, or the length of the western African coastline.
Nonetheless, Portugal leads the way with far more enthusiasm and wealth in geographic exploration of the land and sea over any other European country. (Zak. D, 2007) Portugal, the westernmost country of Europe and part of the Iberian Kingdom, was the first to explore the Atlantic Ocean, colonize the Azores (1441) and nearby islands, and conquer the west coast of Africa reaching the northern Sahara Desert in 1434. In 1444 Portugal lands in the Verde Islands and by 1460 creates a slave trade for plantation labor. The latter of the 1400s, Portugal’s explorer Bartolomeu Dias was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa (1488).
On another excursion by their countryman Vasco da Gama, Portugal succeeds in making it to India and China (1498). (Roark, J. , Johnson, M. ,Cohen, P. , Stage, S. , Hartmann, S. ) What motivates Portugal to set out on western adventures of the “vast green sea of darkness” that paves the way for other countries to discover and navigate the “Mundus Novus – the New World”? (Zak, D) Motivational Factors: In an article written by Steven Kreis for The History Guide the question posed is “What made the civilization of the Renaissance turn to discovery? Consider these three motivational factors that leads Portugal to be first in explorations of the Atlantic Ocean and the western African coastline, and eventually to India and China (Kreis, S). 1. )
Religion (Reconquest): Portugal, being a Christian country, cooperates with Spain in driving out the Moors (Muslims) from Granada. This shared victory with Spain gives Portugal access to the Straight of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean, and the western coast of Africa. Also, Christian Europeans feel the need to “save” lives and overtake heathen lands.
This makes religion a factor in exploration 2. ) The Human Condition: There is a curiosity and interest in learning about other cultures – a true Renaissance. There is also the possibility of fame and fortune for kings and commoners alike. Investments into voyages by the Monarchy means a larger dynasty with increased property, more taxes to collect, larger armies, hence prestige and power. It also means the Monarchy can control some of their unruly, “riff raff” noblemen – pushing them into adventurous excursions to the New World, therefore, stabilizing their monarchy (Roark, J. Johnson, M. ,Cohen, P. , Stage, S. , Hartmann, S. )
For commoners it means a possible rise to aristocracy even though risks are inevitable. Still, ships set sail with full capacity. 3. ) Technology: While Johanna Gutenberg of Germany invented movable print in about 1450, allowing literate Europeans to read about discoveries of “new land”. Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), the son of the Portugal King, King Joao, and an avid supporter of maritime exploration for Portugal, was doing his homework on sailing techniques and geography.
He subsidized sailors, mapmakers, astronomers, shipbuilders and instrument makers who were shared his interest in the discovery of new lands. Ships, such as the Caravel and Portugal’s design, were being built smarter, stronger and faster. Sailing gadgets, such as hourglasses, compasses, and latitude readers were becoming more accurate. While other countries know about the technical advances in sailing tools, Portugal is the first to use these technological advances on maritime excursions.
Successes History cannot deny Portugal’s important contributions in leading the way in discovering the New World. The Reconquest gained Portugal access to the Straight of Gibraltar, therefore, Portugal now has access to explore the Atlantic Ocean and down the coast of western Africa. They colonize islands and use slaves for their sugar cane crops in the Cape Verde Islands. Their slave trade paradigm carries over into the New World colonies. Along the western African coast they opened trading posts befriending powerful African kingdoms. Trades were made for gold, ivory, spices, and slaves.
By the late 1400s, Portugal’s explorer Bartolomeu Dias sails the southern tip of Africa (1488), while his fellow countryman, Vasco da Gama, reaches his destination of India (1498) ten years later. Portugal’s trading thrives ending the monopoly of the Italian merchants of Venice, Genoa and Pisa in the Mediterranean making Portugal a financial and government powerhouse. In conclusion, Portugal’s boldness in this “Age of Discovery” initiates a globalization that benefits other European countries and sets in motion the true discovery of the New World.
