Age Of Exploration Causes

Causes of the European Age of Exploration Prior to the Age of Exploration, many innovations were made in maritime technologies that made this era possible. Significantly, compasses were created by the Chinese at around 1000 C.E. in order to improve upon navigational techniques. The caravel ship was developed by the Portuguese as they began their conquest of exploration. In the 13th century, the Mongols lost control of land in central Asia that included that of the Silk Road. Without oversight by a government entity, the Silk Road began to decline, leading for the emphasis on trade to shift to maritime sea routes. The Silk Road was the main way that Europeans were able to purchase the luxury items that they desired, but as time progressed, the demand for gold, spices, and slaves only increased. The Western states were primarily Christian and they wanted to spread Christianity through the expansion of their empires. The most significant factor for the Age of Exploration was the constant demand for gold, spices, and slaves. Spices have always been important for the preservation of food, but as civilization became more …show more content…
The invention of the printing press allowed for knowledge to be diffused throughout Europe. This encouraged the scientific advances that made it possible for the Age of Exploration to thrive. Navigation became a key focus of mercantilist countries such as Portugal and Spain and this sponsorship caused for inventions like the caravel ship to be developed by the Portuguese as they began their conquest of exploration. Previous innovations like the compass were used to aid in these naval expeditions as well. With Portugal becoming invested in navigation and sailing under Prince Henry the Navigator in 15th century C.E., the search for a new sea route to India was getting even more competitive, with other European nations racing for exploration and