1. Colonizing Africa:
Background
Social Studies for 10th E.G.B.
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. 1400s & 1500s
 Cinnamon, pepper and other
spices were a vita part of the
world economy in the 1400s.
 These resources were grown in
Asia, and the trade routes ere
controlled by Arabs, who
weren’t the best of friends with
the Europeans.
 This need ignited and old
tradition of exploration + trade
in the European nations.

3. Motivations for Exploration
 Europeans and Asian had
traded since ancient times.
 Spices were in high
demand.
 Trade was controlled by
Arabs and Italians.

4. Curiosity
 The Renaissance fueled the imagination of people,
including explorers.

5. Portugal
 Portugal were the pioneers in
the exploration of Africa.
 They were led by Prince Henry
“The Navigator”, who
encouraged and sponsored
many adventures.
 He believed Africans could be
converted to Christianity.
 Portugal had expanded into
Muslim North Africa

6. Portugal
 They also believed that they would be
able to control the riches Muslim
traders controlled.
 With their experience and technology,
they were also in a position to launch
themselves on a search of a direct
“African” sea-route towards Asia.
 Thus they trained their crews for long
voyages and redesigned ships.

7. Portugal
 In 1488 Bartholomeu Dias rounded the southern tip of
Africa, now a days called: the Cape of Good Hope

8. Ask Yourself
 Understand:
 What were the factors that encouraged European
exploration?
 Why was Henry known as the Navigator if he never
traveled the seas?
 Name:
 Who were the first who set out to map the African coast?
 Analyze:
 Why was a route to Asia so desperately needed?

9. Quick Activity
 Answer the following:
 What is the most prized resource today?
 Who controls it?
 What prevents people from obtaining it?

10. Bibliography
 Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall,
Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson
Education INC.
 Images taken from Google.com