Exploration and Conquest

A complex historical process led to the 15th century era of exploration.

Europeans were driven by diverse motives: they took religious and aristocratic goals seriously, but they were also driven by desire for wealth.

Bernal Diaz de Castillo (ca 1492-1584) famously said:  To serve God and His Majesty, to bring light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich, as all men desire to do.

Next: The Atlantic system vs the Indian Ocean system

Picture: modern replica of Magellan's flagship Nao Victoria (1519). The Victoria was an 85 ton ship. Carracks are generally about 25 feet wide and 75 feet long. The Santa Maria, Columbus' flag ship was also a carrack. It could probably carry a cargo of about 110 tons. A large modern shipping container is 20 feet wide and 40 feet long. A modern Ultra Large (ULCV) can hold about 7,200 of them. The current largest ship can carry more than 21,000 oif them for a gross tonnage of 210,890, about 2,000 times greater than the Santa Maria.