Exploring the Reasons behind th Century's Age of Exploration

The XV century is known as the Age of Discovery, with Portugal and Spain leading the way. Other European countries, such as France and England, did not begin their explorations until the late 16th century. The explorations of the 1400s and 1500s changed the world as it is known today. Until then, it was believed that the world was flat, with a single landmass and an endless ocean. Today we know that this is not true, but what caused the desire for adventure in uncharted waters and distant lands? There were many reasons: adventure, power, wealth, trade, land, religion.

Each European nation had its own unique reasons.

The Portuguese were among the first to start the exploration era. Their primary reason was to establish a new ocean trade route to Asia. The traditional land trade route for Asia had been cut-off due to the rise of the Turkish Empire. This made the procurement of Asian spices very expensive and almost impossible.

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The lack of refrigeration in the 1400s made the Europeans very dependent on these spices of salt and pepper and many others for food preservation. Since Europe did not have an abundance of these spices this became a high priority for Portugal. Portugal having the western most port in Europe made it an ideal location for trade coming around the southern tip of Africa. As usual money was a huge driving factor for their explorations. This would help the Portuguese to corner the market of Asian trading; the wealth achieved from this would help preserve its independence from Spain.

The Portuguese also had a strong sense of religion and a drive to share their beliefs with the unknown world. By going into uncharted lands they would be able to spread the word of Christianity.

The Spanish were concerned with a new trade route Asia as well, but it was much for focus on the land they would claim and the income that it would generate. Spain was continually in very expensive wars that needed to be funded. They decided to go an entirely different route than that of the Portuguese. They decided to fund Christopher Columbus' voyage across the Atlantic Ocean toward the West Indies. Though he never reached the West Indies he discovered something far greater the Americas and Caribbean. This changed Spain reasons exploration completely. No longer were they focused on Asia but the wealth of the new world. "Spain's new discoveries unleashed a horde of conquistadors on the Caribbean", they colonized land and acquired gold for themselves and their country. The colonization of the new world create many problems with their sister country of Portugal and the Native Americans.

This would eventually led to the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 between Spain and Portugal. This treaty "divided the entire world along a line located 270 leagues west of the Azores", basically giving the entire new world to Spain excluding modern today Brazil to Portugal. The Spanish also had a deep desire to spread their catholic beliefs throughout the entire world. The new world gave them this opportunity to share Christianity with thousands of unsaved souls. The colonization of the Americas and the riches they attained from them would be vital to Spain's survival and growth in the modern era.

The XV century explorations shaped the world and it's people's beliefs into the way it's known today. From the physical proof that the world is not flat and discovery of a new world to the great economical rise of Spain and Portugal and the spread of Christianity, the world was forever changed. The 1400s were only the start of the Age of Exploration. Through the 1500s the European nations to include Portugal, Spain, France, and England explored charted, colonized, and conquered the much the world known to man. Humans are amazing creatures can accomplish anything.