Late Fifteenth Century

Definition

The Late Fifteenth Century refers to the period around the 1470s to 1500s, a crucial time marked by significant changes in global exploration, trade, and the establishment of maritime empires. This era saw European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, embark on extensive voyages that expanded their influence and facilitated global trade networks, leading to profound cultural exchanges and economic transformations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Late Fifteenth Century is often considered the start of the Age of Exploration, marked by significant voyages such as those of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama.
2. Spain and Portugal emerged as dominant maritime powers during this period, establishing colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
3. Technological advancements in navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography played a crucial role in enabling long-distance sea travel.
4. The Columbian Exchange drastically altered diets, economies, and populations across continents by introducing new crops and livestock to different regions.
5. The Treaty of Tordesillas was significant as it laid the groundwork for future conflicts over territorial claims in the New World between emerging European powers.

Review Questions

• How did technological advancements in navigation influence European exploration during the Late Fifteenth Century?
  • Technological advancements such as the magnetic compass, astrolabe, and improved ship designs like the caravel significantly influenced European exploration. These innovations allowed sailors to navigate more accurately over long distances, explore uncharted waters, and venture into previously inaccessible regions. As a result, European powers like Spain and Portugal were able to establish maritime routes to Asia, Africa, and the Americas, setting the stage for the establishment of vast maritime empires.
• Discuss the impact of the Columbian Exchange on global economies during the Late Fifteenth Century.
  • The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on global economies during the Late Fifteenth Century by facilitating the transfer of new crops and livestock between continents. The introduction of foods such as potatoes, maize, and tomatoes to Europe led to increased agricultural productivity and population growth. Conversely, European goods such as wheat and cattle were brought to the Americas. This exchange not only transformed diets but also established new economic relationships based on trade that would shape world economies for centuries.
• Evaluate how the Treaty of Tordesillas shaped colonial rivalries between Spain and Portugal during the Late Fifteenth Century.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas was pivotal in shaping colonial rivalries between Spain and Portugal by formally dividing newly discovered lands outside Europe along a meridian. This division aimed to resolve conflicts over territorial claims but ultimately laid the foundation for future disputes as other European nations sought to expand their own empires. The treaty illustrated how early colonial ambitions set up a framework for competition among European powers that would lead to conflicts over resources, trade routes, and territorial dominance throughout the Age of Exploration.

Related terms

Age of Exploration:

A period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers explored and colonized vast areas of the world, driven by trade interests and the pursuit of new territories.

Columbian Exchange:

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492.

Treaty of Tordesillas:

An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian in the Atlantic Ocean.