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.
like 1 dislike 0 martinjmurphy's profile pic
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.
Wounded Knee was a symbolic site because of the Wounded Knee Massacre, which took place there in 1890. The massacre occurred on the Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The massacre was the culmination of a more than 20 years of intense warfare between American and Native American forces. Efforts to stamp out Native American resistance, especially proponents of the Ghost Dance, a ceremonial dance originated by the Pauite prophet Wovoka which centralized figured prominently in this event. Determined to root out the practice, US army troops pursued 250 Lakota to Pine Ridge. After a disagreement and scuffle, the troops opened fire and killed more than 250 defenseless children, women and old people. AIM considered this site sacred ground and occupied it to dramatize the need to address the plight of Native American people.
Political problems in Europe such as religious persecution encouraged the Puritans to move to North America. They came looking for freedom from the Catholic kings.
