Maritime Revolution notes

Polynesians settled west into the Pacific
Little is known; few records
Descendants live in places as far apart as New Guinea, Hawaii, and Easter Island
Malayo-Indonesians settled east into the Indian Ocean
Descendants live in places as far apart as Madagascar and China
Evidence that colonies were planned, not discovered by accident
Why were these groups better at seafaring?
Technology was simple but effective

Zheng He (1371-1435)

Chinese Muslim explorer under the Ming Dynasty
The early Ming Dynasty wanted to “re-establish China's predominance and prestige abroad”
Zheng He travelled to important ports in the Indian Ocean
Explored the coasts of the Middle East and Africa
Brought lavish gifts to foreign rulers
Created demand for Chinese goods
Stimulated interest in the Chinese empire
Atlantic Exploration
Vikings attacked ships and shores throughout northern Europe
Warmer temperatures made navigation easier
Settled Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland before 1000 CE
Mansa Muhammed of Mali reportedly died trying to cross the Atlantic in the 1300s
Amerindian voyagers settled the Caribbean Sea (Cuba, Jamaica) by 1000 CE

Why Explore? (Spain)

Iberian rulers (Spain and Portugal)
Money. Trade between port cities and foreign lands
Religion. Competition between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
Curiosity.
Ferdinand and Isabella, 1492
January 2: Kicked out the last Moorish (Muslim) king of Granada
March 30: Ordered all Jews out of Iberia unless they become Catholic. Many leave for Ottoman Empire
August 3: All Jews officially expelled. Christopher Columbus begins his voyage
October 12: Columbus lands in West Indies

Why Explore? (Portugal)

Wanted to protect strong fishing economy
History of anti-Muslim warfare
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Muslims
In 15th century, Morocco was politically weak
Henry the Navigator wanted to:
Make Africans Christian
Join up with Christian leaders already in Africa
Start an awesome Crusade against the Ottomans
Henry also started an important navigation school, bringing together centuries of technology and knowledge

European Navigation

Ships: caravel, possibly from the Arab qârib or Roman cara bella
Cartography (maps)
Technology: instruments such as the astrolabe
Exploration made profit through the trade of slaves and gold
Eventually Portugal landed on the eastern tip of Brazil