5.2 The start of the Age of Discovery Flashcards
16th century
The sixteenth century was an age of discoveries
Why were Europeans interested in the Far East?
Because of Marco Polo’s book, he mentioned stuff like silk and gold and Europeans were interested in these riches
Why were Asian products so expensive?
they had to be brought all the way from East-Asia, following the Silk Route that Marco Polo had also traveled.
The long distance of the silk route, the dangers on the road and the money paid to middlemen in every trading post and city was the cause of high prices
Why didn’t Europeans try to get the wealth of Asia themselves?
They did not dare sail far south along the African coast because of the unknown waters and rough coastlines
They believed that a ship that sailed too far in any direction, would fall off the earth. Sailors also lacked navigational instruments, reliable maps, and seaworthy ships to make such a voyage. So European merchants were forced to trade with the Arabs.
How did the fall of Constantinople change this?
They controlled all the trade between Asia and Europe and were able to increase the prices of products.
- demanded other extra payments from Europeans
- Ottoman monopoly made trading on the Silk Route and trade around the Mediterranean Sea less successful for Europeans
- European countries felt the need to find an alternative sea route
How did the Portuguese find this sea route?
They buiolt better ships/instruments. slowly exploring the west coast of Africa, they went further south every year, They discovered the most southern point and founf out you could go north afterwards.
What effect did the Portuguese discoveries have on the power of Portugal?
Portugal could become rich and powerful since they could get spices by themselves. Portugal became a naval power during the age of discovery. They had power over asia for years to come
1271
Marco Polo begins his voyage to Asia
1487
Bartholomeu Dias reaches the Cape of Good Hope
1498
Vasco da Gama reaches India
In which Age did Marco Polo live?
Late middle ages
When did marco come back to eruope
1295
What happened to marco in italy?
He was taken prisoner, his cell mate wrote his travel stories and it became a best seller
What was Marco’s book called
II Milione (A Million)
Asian products
nutmeg, cloves, silk, cinnamon, pepper
