The Renaissance period from the 14th century to the 17th century had risen from the ashes of the Black Death in 1348. The Black Death killed almost 50% of the population of Europe in a span of 3 years. Furthermore, the early days of the Renaissance period suffered economic loss since most of Europe’s wealthy citizens went abroad to avoid the plague which left merchants and trades people without customers to sell their items to. However, since many lords of lands were also left without peasants to plant and harvest crops, they offered other peasants to work for them for wages. Since this was the first time that peasants were paid for their labor, many of them had their lives improved and eventually became traders and merchants living as freemen in towns.
Exploration & trade in Europe could be traced back hundreds of years before the Renaissance period. Many Europeans already had their fill of traveling abroad and doing business with other merchants. However, it was during Renaissance times that explorers & traders took to the seas to supply Europeans with many Asian spices such as peppercorns, nutmeg, mace and cinnamon among many others. Traveling by water was the preferred means of trading in order to avoid thieves and robbers that filled the roads.
Exploration of the New World and Asian countries brought trade and economic aid to Renaissance Europe. Most of those who explored the seas not only went for trading but also out of dire curiosity to see other places. It was during these travels that Columbus discovered the Americas even though his real intention was to find an all-water route to the East Indies. The New World or American continents not only offered spices for trade but also gold and silver. It was also during this time that the Aztecs were discovered together with an abundance of gold and most of Mexico and Latin America were conquered.
When Europeans discovered gold and silver in the New World, they did not waste time to start mining in Mexico and South America. Aside from these precious metals other products such as corn, tomatoes, tobacco and chocolate were also discovered. The 15th century and 16th century brought about the Age of Exploration when spices were of major economic importance even after the discovery of gold and silver. Spices were even more valued and expensive than gold. It was also around 16th century that Holland became the center of free trade while subsequent centuries saw the dominance of Portugal and the Netherlands in 17th century over trading.
The Age of Exploration was prompted by several factors including Science curiosity, Renaissance spirit of free inquiry, crusading spirit of spreading Christianity around the world, and to acquire wealth, fame and power among many others. The most important exploration and trading discoveries happened during the Renaissance times when many countries and islands were explored for their riches and culture. However, the Age of Exploration was also a time of greed that led to bloodshed and even the disappearance of many groups of ancient people.
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