Age Of Discovery Dbq

During the 15th to the 17th century, Europeans engaged in intensive exploration and colonization of the world. Some of the many motives for exploration were that the Europeans wanted prestige, power, wealth, and to convert individuals to Christianity. Some historians often refer to this as the Age of Discovery, in which the Portuguese and Spaniards play a major role during this time.
After an outbreak in Europe on the 14th century known as the Black Death, caused about 25 million people to die over a five-year period. This made Europe go through a major change. Although in the beginning it indeed negatively affected them, but also it resulted wealth later on across the European population. Allowing them for new opportunities for many of the workers who were only serfs before. Due to the great loss of the population more bullion was available for the rest of the small population that was left. This meant more wealth across all classes. This led to the creation of such now called middle class. It
In addition, they wanted to explore, expand their knowledge and spread their religion to the world. For instance, the Portuguese were trying to get to Asia by sailing South around the southern tip of Africa. In the other hand after studying maps, Columbus strongly believed that the earth was smaller than it is. He also believed that it had just one ocean. Therefore, he thought that he could reach Asia faster by sailing west across the Atlantic ocean.
Due to the result of European colonization, The Columbus Exchange took place. The Columbus Exchange was one of the most important events in history. It was the interchanging between the New and old Worlds (Europeans and Native Americans). The exchanges were such as plants, animals, and disease. For example, traders returned to Europe with corn, potatoes, and tomatoes, which became very important crops in Europe by the 18th