Exploration and Conquest in the Age of Reconnaissance

writer-avatar
Exclusively available on PapersOwl
Updated: Dec 05, 2024
Listen
Download
Cite this
Date added
2021/06/17
Pages:  3
Order Original Essay

How it works

J. H. Parry's seminal work, "The Age of Reconnaissance," delves into the significant themes of exploration and conquest, particularly in chapters eight to nineteen. The exploration of the West African coast served as a preliminary rehearsal for the grand opening of the India trade, which occurred roughly forty years after the death of Prince Henry. At the time, gold was not only a sought-after commodity but also a currency of immense value. The discovery of a coastline that supplied gold from the same sources was both a geographic and economic triumph of great importance.

Need a custom essay on the same topic?
Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay!
Order now

Following the death of Prince Henry in 1460, there was a noticeable decline in the fervor for exploration. Explorers had reached perilous waters, with certain stretches of the coast proving particularly challenging due to persistent cloud cover and unclear skies, making navigation extremely difficult. Although the Crown continued to encourage exploration, it became increasingly reluctant to finance such endeavors due to their low likelihood of success. The political landscape was further complicated by a dispute between the king's daughter and his half-sister, resulting in the Castilian Succession War. This conflict, which lasted nearly four years, concluded with the Treaty of Alcaçovas in 1479. This treaty, mainly favorable to Portugal, included clauses that addressed overseas trade and settlement, marking the beginning of European treaties regulating colonial territories. The treaty rekindled interest in discovery and enthusiasm for overseas trade.

Among the enthusiastic explorers of the time was Bartolomeu Dias, a successor to Diogo Cao, one of the most notable navigators of the Age of Discovery. Dias, equally capable and more famous, embarked on an expedition in 1487, leaving Lisbon with a ship and two caravels. His goal was to reach a cape where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Despite the dangerous journey, Dias demonstrated his skill and bravery as a navigator. Although he did not reach India, his discovery of a potential sea trade route to Asia by circumnavigating Africa was significant. Originally naming his discovery the Cape of Storms, it was later renamed the Cape of Good Hope by King John II to encourage travel and trade in the region. Despite the success, there was a delay in further expeditions due to succession disputes and political issues, causing a ten-year gap before Dias's next voyage.

Impact of Columbus and Vespucci

Another renowned explorer, Christopher Columbus, also sought a route to Asia, proposing to reach it by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean rather than navigating around Africa. Columbus, a self-taught seaman and persuasive geographical theorist, embarked on this ambitious voyage despite the unknown winds, currents, and the unexpected continent that lay in his path. Upon his return, the Spanish viewed the voyage as a success, leading to further expeditions with papal support, notably from Pope Alexander VI. The papal bulls granted Castile newly discovered lands, creating tensions with Portugal. John II managed to negotiate a favorable boundary adjustment in the Inter Caetera to protect Portuguese interests.

Columbus's second voyage aimed to colonize the Indies but was fraught with challenges. His return to Spain was marred by the discovery that the lands he encountered were further from Asia than he believed. Exploration continued, with John Cabot's voyage to modern-day Canada under Henry VII's patronage. Although Cabot's expedition did not yield the expected treasures, it laid the groundwork for future exploration and claims.

Public fascination with the New World was sustained by publications, including letters from Amerigo Vespucci. Although some letters were later identified as forgeries, Vespucci's genuine voyages contributed significantly to cartography and navigation. His exploration of the Atlantic coast of South America unveiled the continent's vast size. Vespucci's recognition as Pilot-major underscored his contributions, and the recognition of America as a distinct continent reshaped European understanding of the world.

European Domination and the Legal Framework

The Portuguese dominated eastern trade routes for a century, establishing strategic bases and securing a foothold in eastern commerce. The Dutch later challenged this dominance by bypassing traditional routes and establishing fortified bases, such as Batavia, securing a monopoly on trade. The European colonial empires faced administrative and theoretical challenges. The Spanish Crown, leading in law and government, based its rights on papal bulls, though these were contested by jurists like Francisco de Vitoria and Bartolome de Las Casas. The latter advocated for a more humane and just governance of colonial territories.

The Valladolid debate highlighted the ethical considerations surrounding colonization, with figures like Gines De Sepulveda arguing for a more humane approach to governance. His modern outlook on politics and humanity resonated with contemporary debates on the rights and treatment of colonized peoples.

The deadline is too short to read someone else's essay
Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper
WRITE MY ESSAY
Papersowl
4.7/5
Sitejabber
4.7/5
Reviews.io
4.9/5

Cite this page

Exploration and Conquest in The Age of Reconnaissance. (2021, Jun 17). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/exploration-and-conquest/