Essay #3

Essay #3 The voyages of discovery and of the new world were promoted by many factors economically, technologically, politically, and religiously. In the years from about 1450 to 1525 there were many reasons as to why explorations were aided by the main four factors that were previously stated. Advancements in astronomy and navigation were big technological factors. Countries were gaining little income, causing them to go and search for ways to become prosperous was an economic factor. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella that unified Castile and Aragon was a major political factor. The desire for Christianizing people of the new world was a huge religious factor. All of these factors were a cause of, and motivated, European exploration. To begin with, advancements in technology such as astronomy and navigation greatly affected European exploration. In terms of voyages of exploration, the Portuguese were the first to do anything involving exploration. Routes by sea back in this time were usually things that were considered dangerous, the fear of the unknown also made voyages slow and very hesitant. Despite voyages being dangerous, the Portuguese still did them in their quest to find a way to India. The Portuguese got very good at navigating the seas, in terms of longitude, they were able to tell where they were in the world. They used the stars to navigate ships across unknown waters when sailing. Thus, giving the world advancements in astronomy as well as navigation. Their ways of navigation quickly spread to other countries and other sailors, making it possible for anyone to go farther distances into the unknown world. To continue, countries’ looking for new ways to become prosperous was an economic factor that provided an urge for European explorations. The original way for countries to make money was taxation of the people. The nobility was never taxed; the only people who were taxed were the peasants, and the peasants not having money to