4.2 - Causes of European Exploration

• European States got their seab based Empires during the period 1450 to 1750, which was a massive turning point in world history
• Seab based Empire building


  • State sponsored or state driven
  • Result of significant changes in the distribution of power in European States
  • Monarchs consolidated power and built up militaries
  • Implemented more efficient ways to tax their people
• Motivation for Maritime exploration


  Increasing desire for Asian and Southeast Asian spices, especially pepper
• Land-based Empires controlled the land routes through which the highly desirable spices passed, making them exceedingly expensive in Europe
• Portugal


  • First mover in seab based exploration
  • Adopted and developed the right technology like the compass, astrolabe, caravel, and carrack
  • Had economic motivations to access the trans-Saharan trade and Asian spices
  • Had religious motivations to spread Christianity and find the fabled Prester John
• Portuguese seab based exploration


  1. Established trading post Empire around Africa and the Indian Ocean

  2. Established first major trading post in West Africa to access gold

  3. Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa and established trading posts down the coasts

  4. Discovered the riches of the Indian Ocean trade and established posts throughout the region
• Spanish seab based exploration


  • Sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella
  • Christopher Columbus reached the Caribbean, believing it was the East Indies
  • Ferdinand Magellan sailed around South America and across the Pacific to the actual East Indies
  • Opened up the transatlantic trade, which proved more prosperous than the Indian Ocean trade
• Other European states


  • France sponsored expeditions seeking a Westward passage to Asia, established presence in North America and the fur trade
  • England was late to the game but eventually sponsored expeditions and established the Virginia colony
  • The Dutch gained independence from Spain, became the wealthiest state in Europe, and competed for control of trading posts around Africa and in the Indian Ocean