Search all of eNotes Search Homework Help > History What led to Europe's Age of Exploration? Download Answers Asked on September 19, 2010 at 6:50 AM by steven13 like 1 dislike 0 3 Answers | Add Yours larrygates's profile pic
larrygates | College Teacher | (Level 1) Educator Emeritus Posted on August 17, 2011 at 9:33 PM Any number of factors led to European Exploration, dating back to the Crusades. The Crusades were the first exposure of Europeans to Eastern products which were in high demand in Europe, primarily sugar. Additionally, Marco Polo's book, A Map of the World contained glowing (if inaccurate) descriptions of the wealth of Asia. An example:
It should be understood that the sea in which the Island of Zipangu [Japan] is situated is the sea of CHIN, and so extensive is this eastern sea that according to experienced pilots and mariners, who should know, it contains no fewer than 7,440 islands, mostly inhabited. It is said that every one of the trees which grow in them gives off a fragrant odor. They produce many spices and drugs, particularly aloes, and much pepper, both white and black.
Additionally, the rise of Nation States in Europe led to increased revenue for Monarchs who were able to finance European voyages of discovery. Notable here was the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella which united Spain into a united country.
A final factor was the fall of Constantinople to the Turks on November 27, 1453, Constantinople had been the primary market for Asian goods; however after it was taken by by the Turks, Europeans searched for ways to circumvent the Muslims.
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martinjmurphy | Middle School Teacher | (Level 1) Associate Educator Posted on September 19, 2010 at 7:53 AM The Crusades and the end of the Middle Ages created the conditions needed for the Age of Exploration to happen. When the crusaders came back from the Middle East, they brought with them silks and spices and other goods from the Far East that people in Europe began to demand. With the end of the Middle Ages, there was a corresponding increase in trade. Huge fortunes, especially by Italian merchants and bankers, were made from this trade with the east. Also with the end of the Middle Ages, nations began to develop and power and wealth became concentrated in monarchs throughtout Europe. These monarchs saw there was money to be made in trade with the east and began to finance trips of exploration. Most of the voyages of discovery made during the Age of Exploration were in reality attempts to find faster and cheaper trade routes to the Far East.
On May 9, 1754, “Join, or Die,” considered to be the first American political cartoon, was printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette. The impetus for the cartoon, which is thought to have been devised by Benjamin Franklin, was concern about increasing French pressure along the western frontier of the colonies.
The courts ruled about quotas as part of affirmative action
programs and the court confirms that the quotas in the affirmative action
programs is useful as it gives out usefulness and benefits in having to correct
failures that had happened in the past.
At first, the Native Americans thought that the settlers were invaders and the Natives would often attack their crops or farms. It wasn't near as bad as what the colonists did to the Natives later, but it was still troublesome. Many natives however did not hate the settlers and even helped them. Due to such help people now celebrate Thanksgiving. Later, colonists started expanding and the rest is history.
1. The King and Parliament treated the colonists unfairly by placing taxes on British goods, allowing soldiers to live in their houses without permission, etc.
2. Natural rights = Rights that everyone are born with and cannot be taken away
3. The Continental Congress approved the D.o.I (Declaration of Independence) and announced the separation of the 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It was necessary because they needed to convince the States that the time had come for the United Colonies to split and declare independence from England.
