Reasons+for+European+Exploration

__ ** Explorers Explore the World ** __ **__ We need spices __**

***Back in the day there was no refrigeration. People put their meat in salt to preserve and dry it, to prevent the meat from spoiling.** When the European Explorers went to find sea routes to get to the spices of Asia, they thought that they were going to bring spices back to Europe and grow them. Things didn’t go as they planned. Unfortunately the spices did not grow anywhere in Europe. Spices where only found in China, Japan, and India (together these countries are called “The Indies”). Explorers couldn’t get the spices from Asia to Europe. European Explorers had to go through long dangerous mountains and deserts, with bandits waiting to rob the spice caravans. Then they thought of bringing the spices by ship. That journey would also be dangerous because of pirates and storms. Because of the troubles the explorers had, with bringing spices from Asia to Europe, spices were extremely costly.

**__ Something goes wrong __**

Later on in 1453, the land route from Asia to Europe was blocked by the Turkish Empire. The rulers of Europe tried to conquer the Turks in battle, but they turned back every time. Several European rulers thought that if Europe could get such valuable spices they would become very rich. They came up with his idea to find a route around the Turkish Empire to get the spices.

**__ Riches- Gold, Silver, and Precious stones __**

The rulers of Europe fought many wars, against themselves and the Turkish Empire. These wars were very expensive. To pay for the wars they needed gold, silver, and precious stones. European rulers thought that you could find riches in Asia. They were certain to find it and bring it back.



**__ We Want to Learn – Finding new routes __**

Late in the 1400’s many Europeans didn’t know much about the world. Their map only included Europe, Asia, and the top of Africa. The Europeans thought there was only one ocean called the Ocean Sea. Many of the Europeans thought that the world was flat; however, the educated Europeans were taught that the world was round. All the Europeans had the same problem, they had no idea how big the world was and whether or not the world was flat or round.

__** We Want More! **__

Many European Rulers, such as the King of Spain and the King of Portugal, wanted to claim as much of the new world that they possibly could so that they would be richer and would have a larger empire than the other kings. They wanted to take the natural resources and use the people who were from there as slaves. They figured that if they had more than the competition they would be considered more powerful .

**__ Spreading the Good News! __**

Later on during the 1400’s the only religion in Europe was Christianity. The European rulers were very religious because if they did not follow the rules of the church they would be excommunicated from it and begin losing money and people from their empire. These kings prevented this by spreading Christianity in the new world that they discovered.



__** Bibliography **__

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** By: Sophia Hamilton and Erin Fleming **