There Are Two Persistent Historical Myths Related To Europe
There Are Two Persistent Historical Myths That Relate To Europes Desi
There are two persistent historical myths that relate to Europe’s desire to find a trade route to the East: “people thought the world was flat” & “spices were used to disguise the taste of spoiled food.” Neither statement is true. By the Age of Exploration, scientists understood that the world was round. Before refrigeration foods were preserved primarily by salting, smoking, or drying. Even the humblest peasant usually had access to a kitchen garden with a variety of herbs that were used for medicinal and culinary purposes. In this activity you will think about the actual causes behind European exploration and the effects it had on the Europeans who stayed at home.
As preparation for the discussion, view the video Conquest of America. What were some of the events and changes taking place in Europe in the 15th & 16th centuries that both encouraged and enabled exploration and colonization? Discuss with two of your classmates what impact you think the journeys of exploration had on the average European. In what ways might their lives have changed? Compose your work using a word processor and save it, as a Plain Text or an .rtf, to your computer. When you're ready to make your initial posting, please click on the “Create Thread” button and copy/paste the text from your document into the message field. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it.
Paper For Above instruction
The Age of Exploration, spanning roughly from the late 15th to the early 17th century, was a period marked by remarkable European journeys of discovery that reshaped world history. Crucial factors both encouraged and enabled exploration during this era include economic motivations, technological advancements, political stability, and religious pursuits. For the average European, these deep-seated changes led to transformations in daily life, perceptions, and opportunities, fostering a sense of purpose and curiosity about the wider world.
Economic motivations played a central role in spurring exploration. The desire for new trade routes, particularly to access spices, silk, and other valuable commodities from Asia, drove nations like Spain and Portugal to venture beyond their borders. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 disrupted traditional overland trade routes, prompting Europeans to seek maritime routes to the East. This economic impetus was complemented by technological innovations such as the development of the caravel ship, the compass, and detailed maps, which significantly increased navigational capabilities and confidence for long-distance voyages (Parker, 1998).
Political stability within many European countries also fostered an environment conducive to exploration. The consolidation of kingdoms, centralized monarchies, and the patronage of exploration by royal patrons like Spain’s Ferdinand and Isabella created a sense of collective purpose. Religious factors, including the spread of Christianity and the desire to convert indigenous peoples, further motivated explorers and sponsors, often intertwined with economic ambitions (Pagden, 2003).
Technological advancements, including improvements in ship design and navigation tools, enabled Europeans to venture further into the Atlantic and beyond. Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India in 1498 demonstrated how technological mastery of navigation opened overseas routes previously thought impossible (Fernandez-Armesto, 2006).
For the average European during this period, the impacts of exploration and colonization were profound but varied. Some experienced economic benefits through increased access to new goods, more employment opportunities, and the growth of trade. Others might have felt a sense of national pride associated with their nation’s expanding horizons. Culturally, discoveries and new products expanded Europeans’ understanding of the world, fostering curiosity and a broader worldview.
However, these explorations also led to significant negative effects, such as the spread of diseases, which decimated indigenous populations in the Americas and other colonies. The influx of wealth from colonies contributed to inflation and economic shifts within Europe, altering traditional economic structures. While many Europeans benefited from new trade opportunities, the colonization process often involved conflict, violence, and the exploitation of indigenous peoples.
In conclusion, the age of European exploration was driven by a combination of economic, technological, political, and religious factors. These explorations profoundly impacted European society, contributing to economic growth, cultural expansion, and national prestige, but also initiating conflicts and harmful practices. The everyday lives of Europeans were transformed as they gained new goods, ideas, and a broader perception of the world, highlighting the complex legacy of this pivotal era.
References
Fernandez-Armesto, F. (2006). Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration. W.W. Norton & Company.
Pagden, A. (2003). Lords of all the world: Ideologies of empire in Spain, Britain and France c. 1500–c. 1800. Yale University Press.
Parker, G. (1998). The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare. Cambridge University Press.
Fernandez-Armesto, F. (2006). Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration. W.W. Norton & Company.
Other scholarly sources discussing the technological advances, economic motivations, and effects of exploration should be included for thorough research.