England Vs Spain In The Race To Explore The New World

Europeans were among the most wealthiest people in the late 1400’s into the 1500’s. They lusted for gold, spices, furs and other luxury goods from different parts of the world. These goods primarily came from Asia and Africa.

Before the search for an alternate route to the East, most Europeans concentrated on Mediterranean trade which was monopolized by the Italians.

European countries would have to go through them to acquire eastern goods. Late in the thirteenth century a fleet of Genoese ships found a route through the Straight of Gibraltar to get from Southern Europe to Northern Europe. They went this way instead of using the old land route which was much slower. At this time exploration of new routes to the east were not even an issue. Mediterranean trade was so profitable that there was no need to search for an alternate route.

When Columbus tried to get the Portuguese, who were thriving on African exploration, to sponsor an expedition to the west he was turned down. So he moved on to Spain where he explained to them his plan. He even tried to persuade the Royal Courts of England and France. Finally, in 1492, Spain granted to fund Columbus’ exploration.

This time they sent Martin Frobisher to sail the waters of Northern Canada. He was sponsored by an English company called the Cathay Company which wanted to trade with China. The Spanish were the motivators of Frobishers’ journey. He too was mostly interested in finding gold. Instead he found tons of ore which he brought back to England. The ore was worth nothing. This was another disappointment for England.

the 15th century the bubonic plague hit Europe killing about a 1/3 of the population. So many people died that most people had no clue to how long they would live. Most

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