Jeromy Rech

Culture and Civilization Unit 3

Question 5

The first thing to explore the rise of Western Europe is to look at why Europeans began to
explore new trade routes in the 1400s. Firstly, they had a ready merchant class looking to expand
trading opportunities, coupled with monarchs looking to enhance their new nations pride and
prestige. Another helpful component was a religion (Christianity) with a missionary and military
tradition. Western Europe also had an upper class/nobility desiring luxuries and spices from Asia,
but problems with overland trade routes, as they are no longer protected by Mongols, allowing
for the Muslim Turks to attack traders. They could not trade through the Mediterranean Sea
because Italian had a monopoly on the Mediterranean trade routes, and there was a major need
for gold to balance trade deficits with Asia (China). They only traded/sold tin, wool, and salt, but
need gold/silver to make up deficits. Finally, they had development of new technologies like
cannons, gunpowder, sailing ship, and magnetic compass in their favor. The next thing to look at
is which nations were participating in this new colonial process. Portugal was trying to set up a
trade route to Asia via south cape of Africa. Monarch Prince Henry the Navigator started this and
Vasco de Gama is first to do so gets to India. They set up a colony in Brazil because one trip
was thrown off course. Spain had a fairytale story or Ferdinand and Isabella accepting
Columbus idea by path to Asia across Atlantic. Columbus was turned down in each country he
tried to get funding, but finally got a break. He lands in the Caribbean, and Spain set up colonies
in Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America to South America. France came down St. Lawrence
River, through Great Lakes, and down Mississippi River Valley. England was the last one to New
World and was forced to settle with land along Atlantic coast, which is the location of 13
colonies. Finally, the Dutch had only 1 spot in North America, which is the port/harbor of New
York. They were more interested in the Cape of Good Hope and Philippians. Finally, a trading
company is a semi-private company formed by pooling capital ($$$) and investing it in colonies,
like a corporation would buy and sell stock. The Dutch East India Company is the best trading
company. It was around for 200 years, and had over 10% returns, making it highly lucrative, and
served as model company with great entrepreneurial talents and skills.