Competition for the New World

As economies in Europe expanded, trade increased with Asia. With the fall of Constantinople in 1453, European nations had to find new maritime routes to reach Asian markets. Seeking a new route by sailing west from Europe, the explorers instead landed in the Americas.

In addition to finding a new route to Asia, there were other factors that led the Europeans to explore and conquer the uncharted lands in the Western Hemisphere. For one, there was a demand for gold, spices, and natural resources in Europe. European countries sought to spread Christianity. Also, many European empires competed for political and economic gain. Exploration during the Age of Exploration was all about Gold, Glory, and God!

Prince Henry’s school for navigators played an important role in developing new tools and techniques to drive global explorations. At that time, Portugal and Spain were the two leading countries in terms of exploring the world. Explorers from these countries were responsible for many of the most important discoveries. Vasco da Gama sailed around the tip of Africa, also known as the Cape of Good Hope. Christopher Columbus discovered the West Indies and the Americas. Hernando Cortez was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec population in Mexico, while Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas in Peru. Ferdinand Magellan faced many challenges on his voyages and ultimately died, but his ship and crew were the first to circumnavigate the globe and win glory for Spain.

France and England joined the race for colonies a little later due to religious conflicts. England sent Sir Francis Drake to explore the New World and plunder Spanish ships. He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. Meanwhile, France sent Jacques Cartier to start a new settlement in Quebec, located in modern-day Canada.