Mind map:
The Significance of the Voyages of Exploration
The Voyages of exploration opened up a whole new chapter to the new world of discovery. Several significant outcomes came to life during these times including, development of technologies, trades, and new lands and discoveries. What motivated the Europeans to open their eyes and minds to a new world they weren't sure even existed? Education, Economy, and most importantly discovery. To find something that cease to exist but was an actual reality. Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries truly demonstrated growth within states, whether the growth was danger, trade, wealth, pride or prestige, it created change and brought more to modern day living.
Development of Technology:
The development of technology was the highlight of the voyages of exploration. Growth in knowledge was always being welcomed as discoveries were being made and inventions were leading to further more discoveries. This was demonstrated through the creation and better suited ships that were made for the long voyages at sea. European ships were not as highly developed as the Arab and Chinese, but they were quick to learn and advance (Exploration and Discovery Beginnings of the expansion of Europe). Within two hundred years Europeans would be building the most technology advanced ships in the whole world. The European ships were made for more longer distances and were especially made for the voyages to the Far East and New World.
The creation of ships and further advancements also led to several technological developments in compasses and printing. These two achievements greatly affected the explorations of the Europeans. The compasses aided Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch explorers to sail further out past the Mediterranean region, resulting in explorations of vast world oceans. The European consciousness was overwhelmed with exciting picture books and vivid experiences with publications of the printing press. This further encouraged and enlightened other Europeans to join on the voyages of exploration throughout the centuries (Reidy).
Trade:
Trade was also a large significant part to the Voyages of Exploration. Some of the many explorations were mainly conducted for trading routes, such as Christopher Columbus's earlier voyages. Going to sea as a teenager, Columbus participated in several trading voyages in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas that would eventually lead him to take interest in further discoveries in the New World (Christopher Columbus Biography). Many other trading routes were discovered due to the trade conducted by the voyages of exploration like the trading route to Asia on the Indian Ocean travelling West. Unfortunately due to the trading system slavery was a new possibility due to the trade routes to Africa. As Europe expanded into the New World, Africans were severely impacted. Many Africans (approximately 10 million- not including those that died on the voyages) were removed from their home and brought to the New World to forcibly become slaves (Western Civilization). The African slaves lost their culture but most importantly their basic human rights. To this day, social and political patterns are still disrupted in sub-Saharan Africa, leaving a permanent impact on Africa.
New Lands:
New lands were discovered as a result of the voyages of exploration. From small islands to large continents like North America were seen as new discoveries by the Europeans. During the late 15th century the Portuguese began to explore Africa’s west coast. They collected mainly gold and silver with their trading posts and believed by sailing around the coast of Africa they could find a route to India. When Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias returned back from his voyage in 1487, he discovered a long stretch of land and named is the Cape of Good Hope. In 1497 explorer Vasco Da Gama left Lisbon and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and eventually into the Indian Ocean. On May 1498 Vasco Da Gama reached India and collected spices and gold to take back to Lisbon as proof that he had reached India. Christopher Columbus was the main European explorer of the time during his voyages to the New world between 1492 and 1504. Columbus explored the coast of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Cuba.
The age of European exploration and discovery opened up new doors and represented a brand new period for global interaction and connectivity. Several technological advancements were as a result of the Europeans and their abilities to forge into previously undiscovered and new lands. These new territories were understood as the “New World.” The Europeans explorations were mainly driven by multiple factors including religious, economic, and political motives but also for the growing demand for luxury goods like gold and silver. Phases of the European empire and colonialism would come to life and and develop for several centuries to come during the period of Europeans global expansion. Even though there were negative side effects to the evolvements and flourishments such as the oppression towards the Native and African populations that eventually led to the transatlantic slave trade, the overall expansion of the European explorations into the new World was greatly admired and required upon by those of us living to this day.