The explorers Flashcards
1
Q
Bartholomew Diaz (overview)
A
- Born in 1450
- Sailing experience
- Appointed by King John to lead an expedition to search for the sea route to India
2
Q
Bartholomew Diaz’ Expedition
A
- 1487, Diaz led an exploration comprising of 3 ships which left Lisbon following the route established by explorers such as Diego Cao
- Padrões (limestone markers) were used to stake claim to land and guide subsequent expeditions
- Expedition went south, blown off course by a storm
- Sailed away from the dangerous coats and picked up a south easterly wind
- Feb 3rd 1488, he spotted land 300 miles to the east of cape of good hope
- Low supplies meant that they returned back and left a padroe in the eastern cape to mark the extent of exploration
- Diaz was removed from positions of authority due to the kings disappointment
- Reached brazil with large exploration. However, when crossing the Atlantic en route to India a storm destroyed 4 ships also killed Diaz.
3
Q
Successes of Diaz’ exploration
A
- Game built upon his findings
- Rounded the cape of good hope
- Stimulus to explore further
4
Q
Vasco de Gama’s journey
A
- Manuel appointed de game in 1497 as a leader of an expedition to India comprising of 4 ships
- Leaving in early July, the expedition sailed for serval months, eventually rounding the cape and making its way to the Indian ocean
- However, sickness forced the to rest at Mozambique for a month and repairs were undertaken
- They continued to modern Kenya and a 3 week voyage across the Indian ocean until they reached Calicut on 20th may 1498
- The expedition was welcomed and they stayed for 3 months
- Rivalry between the Portuguese and muslims increased as they resisted interference of Christians
- In august the journey to return began but many of the crew died because of illness (scurvy).
- 54/170 crew remained
5
Q
Significance of De Gamas journey
A
- Firmly established maritime route to India
- Established dominance of Portugal in Indian ocean and African coast
- Increased muslim and portuguese rivalry
- 1502 : Game led another expedition to strengthen influence which terrorised muslims ports
6
Q
Amerigo Vespucci’s Journey
A
- In 1501, Vespucci undertook another journey in the service of King Manuel of Portugal
- Vespucci’s ships deplored the coast of south America and discovered Rio De Janeiro
- Names America (after the female version of Americus)
- Helped map the ‘new world’
- 1507: German map maker Waldseemuller published translations of letters written by Vespucci describing his voyages which increased his fame
7
Q
The journey of Magellan (1519-1522)
A
Ferdinand Magellan embarked on the most ambitious maritime journey to reach the east spice islands by sailing westwards to establish a new route for the Spanish
- Five ships, comprising a crew of 270, led by the Trinidad were provided by the monarchy left seville in August 1519
- Sailed to cape verde off the African coast
- Early December reached the east cost of south America
- Searching for several months to find the start Magellan believed would lead them too the pacific ocean
- Bad weather made them establish winter waters at Port Julian
- Wide spread crew discontent mutinied 3/5 captains, but magellan wrote that 2/3 had been killed and the others were stranded on the coast
- 1520 September, the journey along the east coast and the Santiago was lost in a storm but the crew survived
- October 21st on reaching Cape Virgenes - magellan and crew were convinced they had reached the route to the pacific
- 350 mile journey through rocky, deep and foggy passage led to one of their ships (San Antonio) heading back to Spain
- 28th November, the 3 remaining ships entered the pacific
- After 14 weeks without sight of land, on 16th march they reached the philippines
- Magellan was killed in a battle against the lapu lapu and his body was never recovered
- 2 ships reached the spice islands and only 115 crew remained
- They set sail 5 months after arriving at the islands and the Trinidad was forced to remain because it was taking in water
- The Victoria continued the journey commencing on the 21st December 1521
- 5 months later the cape of good hope was rounded and finally on September 6th 1522, the Victoria captained by Juan Elcano arrived in Spain
8
Q
Significance of Magellan voyage
A
- Effectively opened up the world to maritime exploration and trade
- Religious, language, colonial and cultural impact
- Magellan’s route followed by other navigators such as Drake
9
Q
Spanish settlement of America
A
- After Columbus’ first voyages the Spanish tried to settle central America. Conditions were very difficult because of this many moved on from Hispaniola to other islands where it was thought that natives would provide labour
- E.g in 1509 Juan de Esquivel began the settlement of Jamaica
- First decade of the 1500s there were expeditions to mainland central America, attempts ere made to settle and exploit the mainland
- Decimated by sickness, hunger and native opposition until reinforcements arrived led by Vasco Nunez de Balboa, ruthlessly took control.
- Balboa created prosperity by 1513 because he made the Spaniards build houses and sow crops, he dominated the natives and collected food and gold from the natives
- Methods, terror and diplomacy he controlled the native Indians
- Spanish themselves forced to land crops and build houses
- The area started to become an important part of Spanish colonial trade
- Because they failed to find a sea route though central America they encountered the Aztecs