Reasons for voyages of discovery

Question 1

Portugal

Answer 1

• 1300s, Portugal began exploring the west coast of Africa which increased rivalry with Castile
• In 1415, the Portuguese had conquered the city of Ceuta to establish control over navigating the African coast
• Prince Henry the navigator sponsored voyages in the region, extending Portuguese inflame along west African coast
• By 1470, further exploration of the south eastern route took place along Africa which increased rivalry between the two maritime powers, Spain and Portugal
• King John II was focussed on land and se though egypt and Ethiopia to the red sea and Indian ocean which was eventually done by Diaz
• Portugal emerged as the dominant, leadings spain to look towards the west as ways to expand influence and trade routes

Question 2

Spain

Answer 2

• The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in 1469 led to the formation of modern Spain, increasing Spain’s power
• In 1492 the became more open to exploration, after the success of removing muslims and jews from Spain
• Colonial expansion and search for new trade + overseas routes (reconquista)

Question 3

Trade

Answer 3

• Trade in the middle east and Asia had been well established for many centuries and made Italian city such as Venice and Genoa very wealthy
• The period of crusades stimulated trade
• Spice became more popular and was used in medicine, perfume and réglions ceremonies
• Spice trades with islands was well established and extremely profitable + incentive for voyages
• Length of the journey increased the price of goods

Question 4

Religion

Answer 4

• Exploration would spread christianity
• The strength of catholicism in the middle ages epitomised by the response to call for the crusades had created the idea a militant christianity
• DIVINE MISSION - duty to spread christianity
• Spanish conquest of the americans imposed the work of God in the form of catholicism
• Poor relationship between muslim turks and christians west led to turks closing trade routes across their empire to christian traders which eld to increased price of silk and spices
• Fall of the constantinople in 1453 to the growing ottoman empire, ruled by the turks

Question 5

Technology

Answer 5

SHIPS:

• design of the caravel ships improved
• new ships combined southern and northern style of ship (sturdy northern style for rough seas, and both square and triangular sails to help tacking)
• stern rudder development improved manoeuvrability of ships
• long distance voyages

MAP-MAKING:

• By 1400 maps of Europe and the med improved in accuracy
• Portolan charts developed s the Portuguese mapped the coast of Africa

NAVIGATION:

• increased confidence to venture
• astrolabe and quadrant enabled them to calculate their latitude via the sun and the north star
• development of compasses since 1300