- From the 13 th century with the Crusades, the development of trade with the Arab world and stories like that of Marco Polo, Europe dreams of new horizons.
- In the XIV th century, the gold deposits were exhausted and the Ottoman Empire blocked the silk road:it became urgent to explore new routes to find new riches. A series of technological advances made it possible to launch great explorations, such as the invention of the caravel and the astrolabe in the 14th th century.
- Portugal is then the first maritime power and is therefore at the head of the discoveries.
XV th century
Characters
Marco Polo
Henry of Portugal
Alfonso IV
Diogo Gomes
Bartolomeu Dias
Isabella the Catholic
Procedure
In the XIV th century, the great kingdoms traveled a lot, influenced by the tales of far-off wealthy lands. China has changed dynasty and begins to trade with Europe.
At the beginning of the XIV th century, the young Prince Henry of Portugal trades more and more with North Africa, but wants to avoid having to deal with Muslims; he therefore sends expeditions to discover West Africa, then raises a large group of shipowners with the aim of discovering Africa.
At the beginning of the 15th th century, the rise of the Ottoman Empire made trade difficult and unprofitable. The capture of Constantinople in 1453 is a great shock for Christianity. The Pope grants all land beyond Cape Bojador to King Alfonso IV of Portugal, who now has the right to enslave the pagans.
Merchants, mainly Italian, begin to seek new routes to India. The rediscovery of Geography of Ptolemy opens new horizons to navigators and interests the kingdoms:the first explorations are ordered, nourished by the legends built around an Orient full of riches.
The voyage on the high seas is finally possible thanks to the invention of the caravel. Navigators go beyond the limits of European charts and gradually discover West Africa.
In 1456, the Portuguese Diogo Gomes reached the Cape Verde archipelago and founded a city.
In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias' expedition rounded the Cape of Good Hope, proving that the route to India was accessible from the south:trade flourished.
Once the Reconquista completed in 1492, Spain can finally take an interest in navigation. Isabella the Catholic supports Columbus' project to reach the Indies from the West:America is discovered in 1492.
Consequences
- The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 shared the discoveries between Spain and Portugal.
- Expeditions multiply and kingdoms gradually colonize the new world.
- The wealth they derive from it supports the growth and wealth of the Renaissance.