History The Age Of Exploration Questions
The decline of the Age of Exploration was primarily influenced by both political and economic factors.
Politically, the establishment of colonial empires and the subsequent competition for territories led to conflicts and wars among European powers. These conflicts, such as the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the Thirty Years' War, diverted resources and attention away from exploration and focused them on territorial disputes. Additionally, the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, which divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, limited the opportunities for other European nations to engage in exploration.
Economically, the high costs associated with exploration, including the financing of expeditions, the maintenance of colonies, and the establishment of trade networks, became increasingly burdensome for European powers. The diminishing returns from exploration, as well as the lack of significant discoveries in the later stages, made it less economically viable. Moreover, the emergence of new trade routes, such as the Silk Road and the Trans-Saharan trade, provided alternative avenues for trade, reducing the dependence on maritime exploration.
Furthermore, the focus shifted from exploration to colonization and exploitation of the newly discovered lands. European powers began to prioritize the establishment of colonies and the extraction of resources, rather than further exploration. This shift in focus led to a decline in the exploration efforts.
Overall, the combination of political conflicts, economic challenges, and a shift in priorities towards colonization contributed to the decline of the Age of Exploration.