The title is world history to the fullest, but it is also an event that leads to the frequent arrival of foreign ships in the 18th and 19th centuries. Considering that the repeated visits of foreign ships led to the birth of Sonno Joi from the Mito Domain, which was passed down to Sat-Chō and led to the Meiji Restoration, it cannot be helped without understanding the Age of Discovery.
Since it was Russia and the United States that had been seriously negotiating before the end of the Edo period, I would like to tell you about the situation of both countries, but first of all, for Russia, we will focus on the relationship with Europe and for the United States, the Age of Discovery, which is related to the beginning of the country. I will guess.
The Age of Discovery, when European countries aimed at the world
Events leading to the Age of Discovery Among them
- End of the 13th century ... Ottoman Empire established in Anatolia
- 14th century (around 1346) ... plague outbreak in Europe
- 16th century ... Religious reform
Is mentioned as an important event.
Plague outbreak
Looking at the background of the plague trendAgricultural equipment developed before the 13th century and the population increased
⇒ Pioneered, crowded More areas to do
⇒ Waste disposal problem (= hygiene was very bad )
- Global cooling that began around the 14th century
⇒ Increased hunger and poor nutrition
It seems that these factors combined and led to a pandemic.
The cause of the plague was a mouse on a trading ship A flea on the ground. It seems that the number of owls, which are natural enemies, was small because they "pioneered". In fact, plague did not prevail in Poland, where there are many forests (although it seems that people were also blocked).
The population has plummeted to a quarter of the total population of Europe, and it is said that the inhabitants of northern Italy, the epidemic center, have almost completely disappeared.
Did the treatment of illness lead to the Age of Discovery?
At that time, it was thought that inhaling miasma (plague, bad air) would cause some kind of illness (plague, flu, cholera, malaria, etc.).
Therefore, the plague is treated by a specialist doctor who does not show the skin and wears clothes that block bad air. You may have seen it somewhere.
* The plague doctor above is a protective suit used after the Age of Discovery
Spices were considered effective for treatment.
In addition, the cold weather that started a while ago made it impossible to eat by farming alone, and livestock farming became popular, which spurred an increase in demand for spices. It was needed as a preservative or deodorant.
As demand increases, so does the price of spices.
Areas where spices can be obtained are limited. Middle East and Italy between Europe and Southeast Asia supported trade with Southeast Asia, a major spice producing region. .. The old Silk Road is a means of trading Arab and Italian merchants mediate I was doing it.
Fees are also charged as they come through many people. It was so expensive that European countries were eager to open up new routes.
However, there is a great power called the Ottoman Empire in the southeastern part of Europe. This is one of the factors leading to the development of another route ... in other words, the Age of Discovery.
* Europe has shown expansion movements such as the Reconquista (land restoration movement on the Iberian Peninsula) and the Crusades expedition even before the plague. The Age of Discovery may be considered as an extension of that.
What the plague epidemic and cooling have brought to people
The plague pandemic also contributed to the dawn of the Age of Discovery, but such a social crisis would have affected people's views of life and death.
In Christianity, religious reforms have already taken place due to criticisms of church corruption and depression, and various denominations have been born, and more and more people have supported other denominations from the ones they believed in until then.
This change in religious views will lead to religious reform.
Religious Reform and the Age of Discovery
The cause of the religious reform is " Impact on the view of life and death As a background other than "," Church authority and voice decline due to the failure of the Crusades. (The Crusaders started with the same Jewish, Islamic, and Christian sanctuaries and a sense of crisis about Islamic forces).
The church at that time was unreasonably cracking down to regain it because of its weakened authority and voice. Furthermore, due to corruption, in the 16th century, a new sect called Protestant was born in addition to the traditional Catholicism.
As a result of supporting different denominations in the areas that traditionally supported Catholicism, there is an active movement to initiate an independence movement (Netherlands). At that time, the church was also a sect of political power, so it would be a little troublesome to lose voice.
Countries other than Europe that support Catholicism have been particularly enthusiastic about going out.
Which country had the upper hand during the Age of Discovery? ??
As you can see from the map, the country facing the Atlantic Ocean is advantageous for going to Southeast Asia without passing through the Mediterranean Sea where the Ottoman Empire is located. In particular, Spain and Portugal took the lead. Both countries are enthusiastic supporters of Catholicism.
In fact, Portugal first arrived in Southeast Asia. .. We traded various Touhou specialties, including spices. Infamous triangular trade that has expanded into Africa We will continue to prosper while doing.
However, the King of Portugal around this time. It is good that he was young and had an understanding of voyages, but the fate of the country was decided because he also preferred the expedition to the national affairs. The king died in the war without his successor.
Since 1580, the King of Spain, who was also a relative, also serves as the King of Portugal. In about 60 years, Britain and France, which are also familiar with the Atlantic Ocean, will grow in power and gradually decline. Both countries were the bearers of triangular trade and were the source of funding for the later Industrial Revolution.
On the other hand, Spain discovers the Americas called the New World. It changed the food situation and monetary value in Europe.
Independence of the Netherlands and decline of Spain
Speaking of the Netherlands, it faces the North Sea and is located (almost) between England and France / Germany. Also known as the Netherlands, it was a Spanish Dependent at the time.
It has long been famous for producing woolen fabrics and has prospered as a relay point for trade between Southern Europe and the Baltic Sea coast. In other words, merchant-dominated land pattern Therefore, most of the people in Christianity belong to the sect called "Calvinist" who admits "pursuit of profit".
It is said that the King of Spain at that time was a self-employed defender of Catholicism. Imposing heavy taxes and forcing Catholicism As a result, the people of the Netherlands increased their opposition and finally the Revolutionary War broke out in 1568. The war is as long as 80 years, and as you know, the Netherlands wins and becomes independent.
It's a guess from here ...
In the Netherlands, you can get timber cheaply by trading with the Baltic Sea (=you can make a ship cheaply), and you can also go out to the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish side may have been wary because it is in a position where it can be done.
The repression of religion was not limited to the Calvinists. Due to its location, Spain is also home to many Muslims and Jews. Among such Muslims and Jews, those who were responsible for the Spanish economy will be deported, and those who were considered to be cheap labor will be converted (half-forced) to Christianity.
However, there is a suspicion that those who converted from Islam (=Morisco) are connected to the Ottoman Empire and the hostile forces with Spain, and the Spanish side rebelled as the crackdown increased. ..
Morisco Rebellion In addition, the conflict with the Ottoman Empire behind Morisco, the battle with Britain, which was hostile for religious and commercial reasons, the battle with France due to religious and territorial disputes ... and Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. Wars continue in multiple directions. In addition, Portugal wages a war to revive the royal government and Spain is exhausted. The golden age is over. Instead, it was England and the Netherlands that emerged.
In particular, the Netherlands entered the world and prospered as the center of international commerce while fighting the Revolutionary War.