The Role of Europe During the Age of Exploration: Discovering New Worlds
The Age of Exploration or the Age of Discovery was possibly one of the most consequential periods in world history. Spanning from around the early 15th century through until the 17th century, it was a period when European countries embarked on epic quests over unexplored oceans, searching for new trade routes, wealth, and knowledge. What began as an aspiration has been to tap Asia for its spices, silk, and precious commodities quickly became a vast network of discovery, conquest, and colonization that changed the world. Europe was at the forefront of this era of revolution, and the continent was the force behind global maritime exploration. Europe's political agendas, navigational advances, and desire for economic riches not only placed explorers on the waterways but also poised Europe to become the leading power in global affairs for centuries to come. Why Europe Looked Beyond Its Borders: Before the Age of Exploration, Europe was fairly isolated in comparison ...