Mankind gradually mastered the surface of the Earth. It cost him great sacrifices, but neither the harsh nature, nor the warlike tribes, nor the disease could already reverse this process.
The great silk road
Until the 2nd century BC. the path from Europe to Asia ended at the spurs of the Tien Shan, which hid the civilization of China. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qian's visit to Central Asia, amazed by the unprecedented wealth of these lands in his country.
Gradually, small sections of trade roads were combined into a gigantic highway 12 thousand kilometers long, linking East and West. However, one should not consider the Great Silk Road as a single route.
When approaching Dunhua, a city on the outskirts of the Great Wall of china- the path forks, bordering the Taklamakan desert from the server and the south. North road went to the valley of the Ili river, and the southern one led to Bactria (northern Afghanistan). Here the South Road again diverged into two directions: one went to India, the other to the West - to Iraq and Syria.
The Great Silk Road is not a journey of people, but of goods that passed through many hands before reaching the buyer. Silk, due to its lightness, high cost and great demand, was an ideal commodity for long-distance transportation. At the final destination of the Silk Road - Rome - the price of this fabric was three times the price of gold.
Empires appeared and disappeared, establishing their control over the transit of wealthy caravans, but the arteries of the Great Silk Road continued to feed the markets of the largest continent.
In the middle of the XIV century, along with goods along the Great Silk Road, death flowed. An epidemic of bubonic plague from the depths of the Gobi, paved the way with corpses, caravan routes reached Europe.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia sums up a terrible result: about 60 million people, or 25% of the world's population - this is the number of victims of a deadly epidemic, such is the price of trade ties between Europe and Asia.
Greenland
The most remarkable thing in this story is that the largest island on the planet was discovered by a fugitive criminal - Eirik, nicknamed the Red. The Norwegian Viking got tired of the Icelandic exile and in 982 he sailed with his fellow tribesmen to the west. Eirik called the discovered land Greenland ("Green Country"), not because of the riot of vegetation: he believed that if the island had a good name, then people would be drawn there.
Eirik managed to persuade some of the Icelanders to move to the Green Country. In 985, a flotilla of 25 ships sailed to the coast of Greenland. They sailed with whole families, with belongings, utensils and even livestock.
It was the triumph of Red Eirik: from a hunted outcast, he turned into a master of vast possessions.
The first settlers of Greenland found abandoned homes on its east coast. Most likely, they belonged to the indigenous population of the island - the ancestors of the modern Inuit, who for unknown reasons left their habitats.
The arrangement of life was not easy given by the Vikings. In order to have the necessary minimum, they had to enter into trade relations with Europe: bread and building materials were delivered to the colonists from the continent, and whalebone and skins of sea animals were sent in return.
However, by the end of the XIV century, the colonies fell into decay - almost all of their population died out. Perhaps the reason for this was the Little Ice Age, which created unbearable conditions for life on the island.
Greenland eventually became a springboard for the further advance of the Vikings to the west. After the death of Eirik the Red, his sons dared to sail to the ends of the Earth and reached the shores of America.
The last written record of the Greenland Vikings dates back to 1408. It tells the story of a wedding in Hwalsi Church. The ruins of this church have survived to this day, as a monument to the dedication of the first European conquerors of the impregnable North.
West coast of africa
From the beginning of the 15th century portuguese sailors stepped up their research west coast Africa. In the midst of the Reconquista, the kings of Portugal needed new sources of fame and fortune.
But there was another reason - Turkish rule in the Eastern Mediterranean, which blocked the traditional merchant routes to Asia.
To understand the complexity and significance of the expeditions undertaken by the Portuguese along the West African coast, it should be remembered that not a single European had ever crossed the equator by that time.
Moreover, Europe continued to live on the notions of Ptolemaic geography, according to which the inhabited world ended in an ocean washing the western outskirts of Africa. In 1482, Diogo Kan crossed the equator and reached the mouth of the Congo River, simultaneously refuting Ptolemy's hypothesis about the impassability of the tropics.
On the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, Portuguese sailors found what they set out on such a long journey for - large deposits of gold. The news about the found gold spread quickly and already Spanish, British, Dutch businessmen are sailing here to organize mines in the hope of getting fabulous profits.
In 1442, black men and women were brought to Lisbon. This was the delivery of the first batch of African slaves. From now on, "black gold" is becoming the most popular commodity, first in the European and later in the American market.
Along with this, a new phenomenon for humanity is emerging on the Cape Verde Islands - a mixture of Europeans and Africans. This is how the Creoles appeared. According to historians, this is due to a banal reason - the almost complete absence of white women in the Portuguese colonies.
America
Instead of answering many questions, the discovery of America seems to have puzzled the Europeans even more: the inhabited world was not pumped here, but continued further to the West - into a frightening unknown. Nevertheless, the pioneers too self-confidently began to master the alien environment, irrevocably upsetting the natural and cultural balance of both continents.
Thanks to the "Columbus Exchange" (a term by Alfred Crosby), animals, cultivated plants, technologies and diseases migrated to a much greater extent precisely in westward, radically changing the face of the New World. One of the diseases - malaria - was destined to affect the geopolitical map North America.
Malaria was introduced to New World together with African slaves, but since the latter had immunity to infection, it was mainly Europeans who died of the disease. The zone of distribution of carriers of the disease - malaria mosquitoes - humid tropics. As a result, it formed a conditional geographic line, above which mosquitoes did not breed.
To the south of this line were the slave states, and to the north were slave-free territories, where mainly European settlers were sent. Today, this line almost coincides with the so-called Mason-Dixon Line, which separates Pennsylvania from the states of West Virginia and Maryland located to the south.
The development of vast territories of the New World allowed Europe to cope with the overpopulation problem that threatened it in the future. However, the expansion of Europeans on both American continents led to the largest humanitarian and demographic catastrophe in the history of mankind.
The Indian Reservation Act, which appeared in the United States in 1867, was only a formal step towards the preservation of Aboriginal people. Indians were often sent to places completely unsuitable for farming. A number of Native American organizations claim that from 1500 to 1900 indigenous population America dropped from 15 million to 237 thousand people.
Antarctica
Antarctica, like an alluring and at the same time repulsive forbidden fruit, slowly and gradually let the navigators approach it. Dirk Geeritz in 1559 reaches 64 ° S. lat., James Cook in 1773 - 67 ° 5 ′ S. sh. Caught among icebergs not far from Tierra del Fuego, the English navigator declares that no Southern continent does not exist.
For almost half a century, Cook's skepticism discouraged the search for the sixth continent. But in 1820 Bellingshausen and Lazarev manage to reach 69 ° 21 ′ S. sh. - now such a cherished land is at a cannon-shot distance. Only the Norwegian expedition of Carsten Borchgrevink in 1895 made the first recorded landing on the southern continent.
According to the "Antarctica Treaty" signed in 1959, only 7 states declare claims to certain sectors of the continent - Great Britain, Norway, France, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand... But everyone has different territorial appetites.
If France claims a narrow strip of land - the Adélie Land, occupying 432,000 km², Australia counts on almost half of the area of Antarctica. At the same time, Chile, New Zealand, Great Britain and Argentina dispute practically the same territory.
Each of the countries is trying to look to the future of the southern continent. The British, for example, are serious about developing the Antarctic shelf rich in hydrocarbons. It is possible that Antarctica may be populated in the near future. Already today, due to global warming, tundra begins to form on the most distant land areas from the pole, and in 100 years, scientists predict the appearance of trees here.
The period in the history of mankind, which began from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, is called the era of great geographical discoveries. In the 7th grade history textbook, you got acquainted with the most striking discoveries and learned that this periodization is very vague. Let's deepen the knowledge gained.
Great travelers and their geographical discoveries
By the end of the 15th century, centralized states began to form in western Europe. The end of the period of feudalism promotes the transition of society to commodity-money relations. Science begins to develop, which leads to the emergence of new devices and types of ships - caravels. All these prerequisites were of great importance for research and application to geographic map new lands.
The list of discoverers begins with H. Columbus, who revealed North America to the world in 1492. In 1499-1501, Amerigo Vespucci reached the shores of Brazil.
Rice. 1. Christopher Columbus.
Between 1498 and 1502, they, A. Ojeda and other Portuguese and Spanish sailors explored the northern coast South America and the islands of the Caribbean. In 1513-1525 the Spaniard V. Nunez de Balboa managed to reach the coast through Panama The Pacific.
The first is associated with the name of Fernand Magellan trip around the world, which proved that the Earth has the shape of a ball.
TOP-4 articleswho read along with this
Rice. 2. Fernand Magellan.
In 1498 Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India around the African continent
The result of the discovery of American lands was not only research, but also conquest. The tribes of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans who lived in Central and South America had their own statehood and possessed enormous wealth, among which were slaves, skins of wild animals and gold. In 1519-1521, in pursuit of gold, Hernán Cortez destroyed the Aztec empire, and Francis Pizarro destroyed the Incas in 1532-1535. The Mayan civilization was destroyed between 1517 and 1697.
Rice. 3. Cortez and the Aztecs.
Further exploration of the globe
The discoveries of the Spaniards and the Portuguese helped their countries achieve the main economic result - their countries began to receive huge profits from the colonies founded in the New World. Other countries could not lag behind and joined the study of the planet in order to develop new lands.
So, the British, looking for a sea route to Asia through the northern seas, discovered the Hudson Bay, and the French, thanks to J. Cartier in the middle of the 16th century, began to explore the coast of Canada and the Great Lakes in 1603-1638.
The Siberian and Asian campaigns of V. Poyarkov, I. Moskvitin, E. Khabarov, S. Dezhnev and other discoverers became the most important event in the history of Russia. Siberia and the western coast of the Pacific Ocean were studied, and Alaska was discovered. The development of the Arctic is associated with the names of V. Barents, V. Bering. Afanasy Nikitin reached India on foot in 1466 and described life in this country.
In 1577-1580, wishing to repeat the feat of Magellan, the English pirate Francis Drake followed his own route, however, he rounded South America not through the rugged Strait of Magellan, but through the wide Drake Passage.
In 1606, the Spaniard Kyros and the Dutchman Janson mapped the coast of Australia for the first time, and in 1642-1643 the Englishman Tasman explored the island of the same name and New Zealand.
On January 16, 1820, Russian sailors Bellingshausen and Lazarev discovered the last unknown continent of our planet - Antarctica.
Results of the great geographical discoveries
For three centuries, almost the entire surface of the Earth was explored and the modern contours of the continents were drawn.
The age of discovery has its pros and cons. Among the pluses, you can find a real scientific breakthrough in the field of geography and natural science. A world market has emerged, the sphericity of the Earth has been proven, new ways and resources have appeared. Man expanded the boundaries of knowledge. However, discovering new lands, the Europeans destroyed the indigenous population and its historical development was interrupted, a price revolution took place, and nature was destroyed in the pursuit of profit.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES, finding new geographic sites or geographic patterns. In the early stages of the development of geography, discoveries related to new geographic sites... A particularly important role was played by ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Geographical discoveries- (exploration), search and research of unknown lands. At the time of the pioneers of travel (expedition) in the main. carried out by sea, less often by land. Phoenician merchants (Phoenicians) often committed pestilence. sailing to the shores of Spain, Brittany and, ... ... The World History
Geographical discovery is the finding of new geographical objects or geographical patterns Contents 1 Introduction 2 Periodization of geographical discoveries ... Wikipedia
Geographical discoveries- Russians finding new geographic. objects as a result of land or sea travel and expeditions. Even before the formation of Dr. Russian state va east Slavs were izv. certain districts of Byzantium, adjacent to the Black Sea. In the 9-11th century, thanks to earlier ... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary
Planisphere Cantino (1502), the oldest surviving Portuguese navigational chart showing the results of the expeditions of Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus and other explorers. It also shows the meridian, section ... Wikipedia
A complex of the most significant discoveries on land and sea, made during almost the entire written history of mankind. Traditionally Great geographical discoveries identified only with discoveries in the so-called era of the Great Geographical ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Discovery of the conquest of Europeans in the early 15th - mid-17th century. in Africa, Asia, America and Oceania. The term "geographical discoveries" in relation to the complex of overseas expeditions of Europeans in the 15-17 centuries. rather arbitrary, for it covers two different ... ... Geographical encyclopedia
Great geographical discoveries- GREAT GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES, designation of a complex of the most significant discoveries on land and sea, made during almost the entire written history of mankind. Traditionally, the Great Geographical Discoveries are identified only with discoveries ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
In zap. Europ. and Russian. pre-revolutionary. lit re under the era of V. g. about. usually means a hundred-year (approx.) period from mid. 15 to mid. 16th century, center. moments to rogo were: the discovery of the tropical. America by H. Columbus, the discovery of a continuous sea. paths from Zap. Europe ... ... Soviet Historical Encyclopedia
The set of the most important geographical discoveries made by European travelers in the 15th and 17th centuries. The development of trade and industry in the countries of Western Europe, the formation of capitalist relations caused in 15 - early. 16th century striving for ... ... Geographical encyclopedia
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- Geographical discoveries, Deram, Sylvia. Why did people strive to unknown distances? Where did the ancient Greeks go? Which countries did Alexander the Great conquer? What was Ptolemy's mistake? When did you first see a giraffe in China? ...
- Geographical Discovery, Sylvia Deram. Why did people strive to unknown distances? Where did the ancient Greeks go? Which countries did Alexander the Great conquer? What was Ptolemy's mistake? Who invented the "solar sector"? When in…
Travel has always attracted people, but before it was not only interesting, but also extremely difficult. The territories were not explored, and, starting the journey, everyone became an explorer. Which travelers are the most famous and what exactly did each of them discover?
James Cook
The famous Englishman was one of the finest cartographers of the eighteenth century. He was born in the north of England and by the age of thirteen he began to work with his father. But the boy was unable to trade, so he decided to go sailing. In those days, everyone famous travelers the world went to distant countries on ships. James became interested in the sea business and so quickly moved up the career ladder that he was offered to become a captain. He refused and went to the Royal Navy. Already in 1757, the talented Cook began to manage the ship himself. His first achievement was the drawing up of the fairway of the St. Lawrence River. He discovered in himself a talent for navigator and cartographer. In the 1760s, he explored Newfoundland, which attracted the attention of the Royal Society and the Admiralty. He was entrusted with a journey across the Pacific Ocean, where he reached the shores of New Zealand. In 1770, he accomplished what other famous travelers had not previously achieved - he discovered a new mainland. Cook returned to England in 1771 as the famous pioneer of Australia. His last journey was an expedition in search of a passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today even schoolchildren know the sad fate of Cook, who was killed by the natives-cannibals.
Christopher Columbus
Famous travelers and their discoveries have always had a significant impact on the course of history, but few are as famous as this man. Columbus became the national hero of Spain, drastically expanding the map of the country. Christopher was born in 1451. The boy quickly achieved success as he was diligent and a good student. At the age of 14, he went to sea. In 1479, he met his love and began life in Portugal, but after the tragic death of his wife he went with his son to Spain. Having received the support of the Spanish king, he went on an expedition, the purpose of which was to find a way to Asia. Three ships sailed from the coast of Spain to the west. In October 1492, they reached Bahamas... This is how America was discovered. Christopher mistakenly decided to call the locals Indians, believing that he had reached India. His account changed history: two new continents and many islands discovered by Columbus became the main direction of travel of the colonialists in the next few centuries.
Vasco da Gama
Portugal's most famous traveler was born in Sines on September 29, 1460. From a young age he worked in the navy and became famous as a confident and fearless captain. In 1495, King Manuel came to power in Portugal, who dreamed of developing trade with India. For this, a sea route was needed, in search of which Vasco da Gama was to go. There were also more famous sailors and travelers in the country, but for some reason the king chose him. In 1497, four ships sailed south, rounded and sailed to Mozambique. There I had to stop for a month - half of the team by that time was sick with scurvy. After a break, Vasco da Gama reached Calcutta. In India, he established trade relations for three months, and a year later returned to Portugal, where he became a national hero. The opening of the sea route, which made it possible to get to Calcutta by east coast Africa, has become his main achievement.
Nikolay Miklukho-Maclay
Famous Russian travelers also made many important discoveries. For example, the same Nikolai Mikhlukho-Maclay, who was born in 1864 in the Novgorod province. He could not graduate from St. Petersburg University, as he was expelled for participating in student demonstrations. To continue his education, Nikolai went to Germany, where he met Haeckel, a naturalist who invited Miklouho-Maclay to his scientific expedition. Thus, the world of wandering was opened for him. His whole life was devoted to travel and scientific work. Nicholas lived in Sicily, in Australia, studied New Guinea, embodying the project of the Russian Geographical Society, visited Indonesia, the Philippines, the Malacca Peninsula and Oceania. In 1886, the naturalist returned to Russia and proposed to the emperor to establish a Russian colony overseas. But the project with New Guinea did not receive royal support, and Miklouho-Maclay fell seriously ill and soon died without completing his work on a book about travels.
Fernand Magellan
Many famous sailors and travelers lived in the era of the Great Magellans is no exception. In 1480 he was born in Portugal, in the city of Sabroza. Going to serve at the court (at that time he was only 12 years old), he learned about the confrontation between his native country and Spain, about travel to the East Indies and trade routes. So he first became interested in the sea. In 1505, Fernand got on the ship. For seven years after that, he plowed the sea, participated in expeditions to India and Africa. In 1513 Magellan went to Morocco, where he was wounded in battle. But this did not temper the craving for travel - he planned an expedition for the spices. The king rejected his request, and Magellan went to Spain, where he received all the support he needed. Thus began his journey around the world. Fernand thought that the route to India from the west might be shorter. He crossed Atlantic Ocean, reached South America and discovered the strait, which would later be named after him. became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. On it, he reached the Philippines and almost reached the goal - the Moluccas, but died in a battle with local tribes, wounded by a poisonous arrow. However, his journey opened up a new ocean to Europe and the understanding that the planet is much larger than scientists had previously thought.
Roald Amundsen
The Norwegian was born at the very end of an era in which many famous travelers became famous. Amundsen was the last of the sailors who tried to find not open land... From childhood, he was distinguished by perseverance and faith in his own strength, which allowed him to conquer the South Geographic Pole. The beginning of the journey is associated with 1893, when the boy left the university and got a job as a sailor. In 1896, he became a navigator, and the following year set off on his first expedition to Antarctica. The ship got lost in the ice, the crew was sick with scurvy, but Amundsen did not give up. He took command, healed the people, remembering his medical education, and brought the ship back to Europe. Becoming a captain, in 1903 he set out in search of the Northwest Passage off Canada. Famous travelers before him had never done anything like this - in two years the team covered the path from the east of the American mainland to its west. Amundsen became known all over the world. The next expedition was a two-month hike to the South Plus, and the last venture was the search for Nobile, during which he disappeared without a trace.
David Livingston
Many famous travelers are associated with sailing. he became an explorer of land, namely the African continent. The famous Scotsman was born in March 1813. At the age of 20, he decided to become a missionary, met Robert Moffett and wished to go to African villages. In 1841, he came to Kuruman, where he taught local residents how Agriculture, served as a doctor and taught literacy. There he also learned the Bechuan language, which helped him travel across Africa. Livingstone studied in detail the life and customs of local residents, wrote several books about them and went on an expedition in search of the sources of the Nile, in which he fell ill and died of a fever.
Amerigo Vespucci
The most famous travelers in the world were most often from Spain or Portugal. Amerigo Vespucci was born in Italy and became one of the famous Florentines. He received a good education and trained to be a financier. From 1490 he worked in Seville, in the Medici trade mission. His life was connected with sea travel for example, he sponsored Columbus's second expedition. Christopher inspired him with the idea of trying himself as a traveler, and already in 1499 Vespucci went to Suriname. The purpose of the voyage was to study coastline... There he opened a settlement called Venezuela - Little Venice. In 1500 he returned home with 200 slaves. In 1501 and 1503. Amerigo repeated his travels, acting not only as a navigator, but also as a cartographer. He discovered the bay of Rio de Janeiro, which he himself named. Since 1505, he served the king of Castile and did not participate in campaigns, only outfitted other people's expeditions.
Francis Drake
Many famous travelers and their discoveries have benefited mankind. But there are also those among them who left an unkind memory in themselves, since their names were associated with rather cruel events. The English Protestant, who sailed on a ship from the age of twelve, was no exception. He captured local residents in the Caribbean, selling them into slavery to the Spaniards, attacked ships and fought with Catholics. Perhaps no one could match Drake in the number of captured foreign ships. His campaigns were sponsored by the Queen of England. In 1577 he went to South America to destroy the Spanish settlements. During the trip, he found Tierra del Fuego and the strait, which was later named in his honor. Having rounded Argentina, Drake plundered the port of Valparaiso and two Spanish ships. When he reached California, he met the natives, who presented the English gifts of tobacco and bird feathers. Drake crossed Indian Ocean and returned to Plymouth, becoming the first British person to travel around the world. He was admitted to the House of Commons and awarded the title of Sir. In 1595 he died in the last campaign in the Caribbean.
Afanasy Nikitin
Few famous travelers of Russia have achieved the same heights as this native of Tver. Afanasy Nikitin became the first European to visit India. He made a trip to the Portuguese colonialists and wrote "Voyage across the Three Seas" - the most valuable literary and historical monument. The success of the expedition was ensured by the career of a merchant: Afanasy knew several languages and knew how to negotiate with people. On his journey, he visited Baku, lived in Persia for about two years and reached India by ship. Having visited several cities of an exotic country, he went to Parvat, where he stayed for a year and a half. After the province of Raichur, he headed to Russia, laying a route through the Arabian and Somali peninsulas. However, Afanasy Nikitin never made it home, because he fell ill and died near Smolensk, but his notes were preserved and ensured world fame for the merchant.
The era of the great geographical discoveries is the most important stage in the history of mankind. This is the time when the outlines of continents, seas and oceans are becoming more accurate, technical devices are being improved, and the leading countries of that time are sending sailors in search of new rich lands. In this lesson, you will learn about the sea expeditions of Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus and Fernand Magellan, as well as their discovery of new lands.
Background
Among the reasons for the Great Geographical Discoveries are:
Economic
After the era Crusades the Europeans have developed strong trade ties with the East. In the East, Europeans bought spices, fabrics, jewelry. In the XV century. overland caravan routes along which the Europeans traded with Eastern countries were captured by the Turks. The task of finding a sea route to India has appeared.
Technological
The compass and astrolabe (a device for measuring latitude and longitude) have been improved.
New types of ships appeared - caravel, carack and galleon. They were distinguished by their spaciousness and powerful sailing equipment.
Were invented nautical charts- portolans.
Now the Europeans could make not only traditional coastal voyages (i.e. mainly along the coast), but also go far out into the open sea.
Events
1445 g.- the expedition, organized by Henry the Navigator, reached Cape Verde (western point of Africa). Madeira Island was discovered, Canary Islands, part of the Azores.
1453 g.- Constantinople is captured by the Turks.
1471 g.- the Portuguese reached the equator for the first time.
1488 g.- the expedition of Bartolomeu Dias reached the most south point Africa - Cape Good Hope.
1492 g.- Christopher Columbus discovered the islands of San Salvador, Haiti, Cuba in the Caribbean.
1497-1499- Vasco da Gama reached the Indian port of Calicut, circumnavigating Africa. For the first time, a way was opened to the East across the Indian Ocean.
1519 g.- Fernand Magellan goes on an expedition in which he opens the Pacific Ocean. And in 1521 it reaches the Mariana and Philippine Islands.
Participants
Rice. 2. Astrolabe ()
Rice. 3. Caravel ()
Successes have been achieved in cartography... European cartographers began to compile maps with more accurate outlines of the shores of Europe, Asia and North America. The Portuguese invented navigational charts. On them, in addition to the outlines of the coast, were depicted settlements obstacles on the way; and the location of ports. These navigation maps were called portolans.
The pioneers were Spanish and Portuguese... The idea of conquering Africa was born in Portugal. However, the knightly cavalry was helpless in the sands. Portuguese prince Heinrich the Navigator(Fig. 4) decided to try the sea route along the western coast of Africa. The expeditions organized by him discovered the island of Madeira, part of the Azores, the Canary Islands. In 1445 the Portuguese reached the western point of Africa - Green cape ... Somewhat later, the coast of the Gulf of Guinea was discovered. It was discovered there a large number of gold, ivory. Hence the name - Gold Coast, Ivory Coast. At the same time, African slaves were discovered, which were traded by local leaders. Portugal became the first European country, which began to sell live goods.
Rice. 4. Heinrich the Navigator ()
After the death of Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese reached the equator in 1471. In 1488 the expedition Bartolomeu Dias reached the southern end of Africa - Cape of Good Hope... Having circled Africa, this expedition entered the Indian Ocean. However, due to the riot of sailors, Bartolomeu Dias was forced to return. His path continued Vasco da Gama (fig. 5) which in 1497-1499 biennium... circled Africa and after an 8-month voyage arrived at the Indian port of Calicut (Fig. 6).
Rice. 5. Vasco da Gama ()
Rice. 6. Opening of the sea route to India, Vasco da Gama route ()
Simultaneously with Portugal, the search for a new sea route to India began Spain, which at that time was ruled by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. Christopher Columbus(fig. 7) suggested new plan- reach India, moving westward across the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher Columbus shared the opinion that the earth is spherical. August 3, 1492 Columbus on three caravels "Santa Maria", "Niña" and "Pinta" set off from Spain in search of India (Fig. 8). On October 12, 1492, a shot rang out on the Pinta caravel. This was the signal: the sailors reached the island they named San Salvador, which in translation means "holy savior." After exploring the island, they went south and discovered two more islands: Haiti (then Hispaniola) and the island of Cuba.
Rice. 7. Christopher Columbus ()
Rice. 8. Christopher Columbus route ()
Columbus' first expedition lasted 225 days and discovered Caribbean sea... During the next three expeditions, Columbus discovered the coast Central America and the north coast of South America. However, the Spanish crown was not satisfied with the amount of gold that entered the country. Soon they turned away from Columbus. He died in poverty in 1506, confident that he had opened a new sea route to India. Mainland, discovered by Columbus, originally called West Indies(Western India). Only later was the mainland given a name America.
The rivalry between Spain and Portugal led to the first ever partition of the world. V 1494 year was concluded Tordesillas Treaty, according to which a conditional meridian was drawn along the Atlantic Ocean somewhat west of the Azores. All newly discovered lands and seas to the west of it were to belong to Spain, and to the east - to Portugal. but Fernand Magellan's first trip around the world corrected this document.
Back in 1513, the Spaniard Vasco de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean. He named him then South Sea... In the fall of 1519, Fernand Magellan (Fig. 9) set off on his journey on five caravels with a crew of 253 sailors (Fig. 10). His goal was to find a way across the Atlantic Ocean to the Moluccas (Spice Islands). After a year of travel, Magellan's team entered a narrow strait, which was later named Strait of Magellan... After passing through it, Magellan's team managed to reach the previously unknown ocean. This ocean got the name Quiet.
Rice. 9. Fernand Magellan ()
Rice. 10. The first round the world trip of Fernand Magellan ()
In March 1521, Magellan's team reached Mariana Islands, and then landed in the Philippines, where Magellan himself died in a skirmish with local residents... His team managed to reach the Moluccas. Three years later, only one ship with 17 sailors returned home. Magellan's first trip around the world proved that the Earth has a spherical shape.
The exploration of the New World by Europeans took the form conquests - conquests... Together with the conquest, the resettlement of colonists from Europe to the New World begins.
Great geographical discoveries have changed the picture of the world. First, it has been proven that the Earth is in the shape of a ball. Also, a new continent was discovered - America, as well as a new ocean - the Pacific. The outlines of many continents, seas and oceans were refined. The great geographical discoveries were the first step towards creating a world market. They displaced trade routes. So, trading cities Venice and Genoa lost their key importance in European trade... Their place was taken by ocean ports: Lisbon, London, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Seville. Due to the influx of precious metals into Europe from the New World, a price revolution took place. The prices of precious metals fell, while the prices of food and raw materials for production rose.
The great geographical discoveries marked the beginning of the colonial redistribution of the world and the domination of Europeans in Asia, Africa and America. The exploitation of slave labor and trade with the colonies allowed the European trading circles to enrich themselves, which became one of the prerequisites for the formation of capitalism. Also, the colonization of America led to the destruction of the oldest American cultures. The great geographical discoveries were one of the reasons for the food revolution in Europe. Previously unknown crops were brought in: corn, tomatoes, cocoa beans, potatoes and tobacco.
Bibliography
- Boytsov, M.A. Magellan's Way: Early Modern Times. Reading book on history. - M., 2006.
- Vedyushkin V.A., Burin S.N. Textbook on the history of modern times, grade 7. - M., 2013.
- Verlinden C., Mathis G. “Conquerors of America. Columbus, Cortez ". Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 1997.
- Lange P.V. Like the sun ... The life of Fernand Magellan and the first circumnavigation... - M .: Progress, 1988. ; Artist
- What discovery is Fernand Magellan famous for, and which continent was discovered by Christopher Columbus?
- Do you know any more famous sailors and the territories they open?
