The Age of Exploration: Spain, Portugal, and Global Expansion

The 15th and 16th centuries fundamentally reshaped global geography, trade, and politics. This period of intense maritime exploration set the stage for the modern world, driven by European monarchs, merchants, and adventurers seeking gold, spices, and new territories. By completing this course, you will gain a foundational understanding of the economic, political, and technological factors that drove Portugal and Spain to lead the charge into the unknown. What you'll learn: * Understand the economic and political motivations behind the search for new trade routes and resources. * Analyze the critical technological innovations, such as the caravel design and contemporary navigation instruments. * Trace the landmark routes of key explorers, including Dias, Columbus, and the first circumnavigation of the globe. * Examine the complex global consequences and emerging colonial patterns resulting from these voyages. * Practice interpreting core historical concepts to analyze narratives from the Age of Exploration. We begin by establishing the political and economic landscape of late medieval Europe before diving into the specific maritime innovations and charting the major expeditions. We conclude with an analysis of the profound global impact of these discoveries. This course is designed for absolute beginners interested in history or global trade. No prior knowledge of maritime history or European politics is required. Start reading today to uncover how the world became connected.