Benefits And Consequences Of European Exploration Around The World

There were many benefits and also many consequences of European exploration around the world. European exploration spread culture around many parts of the world, even into new continents that were not previously known about. While the Europeans traded with other countries and people, became rich, and spread their culture, they also made others suffer for their own good. They took over other peoples, sometimes forcing them to convert to Christianity while spreading their own territory. The original motives for exploration were wealth, power, religion, and a want to test human ability. Explorers wanted to find things like spices and gold in new places to make them rich and wanted to claim more territory for their country. They also wanted to spread christianity
Better navigational techniques were developed including the astrolabe and the magnetic compass. Quickly after the age of exploration began the Portugese had built plantations and trading posts in West African, discovered a new sea route to India, and made Africa their home. Prince Henry organized a school for navigation and taught navigators how to develop and use new sailing innovations. Then in 1492, Columbus became the first European to reach the Americas, and later brought other Europeans to establish colonies in the Americas. This is what led to slavery in the Americas. Columbus initially landed in the Bahamas and met natives. In the Americas many cash crops were grown including cotton, tobacco, and sugar. These cash crops and the need for slaves led to the triangular trade route. Europe would sail to Africa with goods and trade for slaves, then sail to America with the slaves. This was called the "middle passage" and was the most brutal part of the passage. One out of every 5 slaves died on this part of the voyage. They died from the heat in the cabin, the smell of human defecation, or from being pushed so closely