European expansion

For almost a thousand years, most Europeans remained in their small region of the world. Between 1500 and 1800, Europeans explorers started improving their ships to travel and discover new places in the world. The first to start navigating and exploring were Spain and Portugal, and the later the Netherlands, England, and France, they reached to new economics heights, through their travels and by expending the trading activity. European explorers had been attracted to Asia for a really long time, because they contained really good spices, perfumes, precious rocks, and many other. It has been said that Gold, glory, and God were the key motives for Europeans expansion. After exploring many places such as america for example, many Europeans forced the indigenous people to change their religion to Christianity. But also grandeur, glory, and spirit of adventure also played a major role in the expansion. Thanks to the new technology the voyages of discovery were much easier to do. The Portuguese invented a boat called the Caravel, and it was faster than any other models they've had before. After having traveled to many places, Europeans explorers had more accurate maps because of the advances of cartography, the art and science of mapmaking. Some new technology that they had invented for sailing were: the astrolabe and the magnetic compass. Another factor that helped European explorers was the increasing knowledge of wind patterns of the Atlantic Ocean. The winds, ocean currents, and climate influenced the journey's of the early sailing vessels that depended on them.

Do you know any important sailors from Europe that discovered new lands?

There was an unfortunate Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan. Even though he was Portuguese, he sailed for Spain because he didn't get any funding! And, after months of sailing without land in sight, he landed on the Philippine Islands. It was a success at first, up until the natives killed him due to a fight. While he seemed to have a pretty unlucky life, he did get the Strait of Magellan named after him. That's still pretty cool

Cristobal Colon is one of the greatest sailor known. He explored and discovered the other side of the world. This place is known as the Americas. He conquered land and set up colonies. The 15th century is the time in history that is known for the most discoveries.

It's interesting to think of the advancements we have made since these times. When you think about it, the expansion didn't happen that long ago and so much has happened since then. History never fails so make you think twice.

It's odd to look back and see that most people back then didn't even know that we would exist. But we really have to thank them because if they had not discovered our land there is a possibility that we would still be hunting with arrows and spears today, but we also probably would have been more respectable people if you think about how they lived and how the Indians were thankful and respectful towards every living thing.

All this expansion was a great success. During this time, to make it easier to navigate, they invented some new tools or technology. The biggest one would be the caravel, or the ships themselves. Also guns like the wheel lock rifle, the astrolabe which was an early compass that lead to the Mariner's compass. Some maps were created to mark the places they've been to and conquered.

Columbus spent years trying to convince countries in Europe to pay for his trip. he was able to convince Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to pay for the trip. on August 12, 1492 he sailed away with three ships named the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. At one point his men wanted to turn back. Columbus promised them he would turn back in two days if they didn't find land. two days after they saw land and arrived to the americas.

The European Expansion was a period when Europe started the triangular trade with Africa and America. This was a constant process. Foods were being send left to rich in exchange for the slaves that were badly treated in the ships.