Another important factor that stimulated the navigation at this time, was the need for Europe to co

"All things are lawful, but not everything is me [...]". (Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Christians. Corinthians 6:12) I can do all, all I want, but I must? Yes, but I can not. I can even if circumvent the rule; but I must? According to the philosopher fif pl Mario Sergio Cortella, ethics is the set of values and principles that [all] use to define the three great questions of life, which are: I want, I must, I can. There are things I want, but I can not. There are things I can, but I do not. There are things I must, but do not want. Cortella complements "When we have peace of mind? We have peace espítito when what we want is what we can and that's what we must." (Cortella, 2009). Image Tuscany, Italy.
"The weapons and marked barons, that the western Lusitanian beach, For seas never sailed before, yet passed beyond Taprobana In dangers and hard wars, More than promised human strength, and between remote people fif pl built New Kingdom, which both sublimated; [...] "
During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Europeans, primarily Portuguese and Spanish, were released in the Pacific, Indian fif pl and Atlantic with two main goals: to find a new sea route to India and find new lands. This period became known as the Age of Exploration and the Maritime Discoveries.
In the fifteenth century, European countries that wanted fif pl to buy spices (pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and other spices), had to resort to merchants of Venice or Genoa, which had a monopoly on these products. With access to eastern markets - India was the main thing - the Italian bourgeois charged exorbitant prices for eastern spices. The channel of communication and transport of goods coming from the east was the Mediterranean Sea, dominated by the Italians. Find a new route to India was a difficult fif pl task, however much desired. Portugal and Spain wanted very much to have direct access to Eastern sources, so that they can also profit from this interesting trade.
Another important factor that stimulated the navigation at this time, was the need for Europe to conquer new lands. They wanted it to be able to obtain raw materials, precious metals and products not found in Europe. Even the Catholic Church was interested in this project, therefore, would mean new believers.
The kings were interested, both who financed much of the maritime enterprises, because with increased trade, could also increase tax collection to their kingdoms. fif pl More money would mean more power for the absolutist kings of the time (learn more absolutism and mercantilism).
Portugal was the pioneer in the navigation of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries due to a number of conditions found in this Iberian country. The great experience in navigation, especially the cod fishery, fif pl Portugal helped a lot. The caravels, main means of maritime and commercial transportation of the period, were developed with superior quality to that of other nations. Portugal had a significant amount coming from the bourgeoisie capital investments and also the nobility, interested in profits this business could generate. In this country there was also concern about the nautical studies, since the Portuguese arrived to create even a study center: The School of Sagres.
In addition, Europe at the time was going through a period of technical innovations. Through Arab influence, were released and improved fif pl diverse knowledge; Arabic numerals, compass, gunpowder, paper.
It was a prince, Henry the Navigator, dubbed the Navigator, who started the great voyages of Portugal. He was the son of John I, the founder of Avis who reigned until 1580. After an expedition to North Africa, where they obtained important information on the coast of the continent, Prince Henry decided to make her home in a school for sailors: this is the origin of the famous School of Sagres, where the Portuguese learned the art of navigation and understand the Portu-lanos, letters by which guided the pilots that time.
He knew Henry could be reached to India traveling the African coast, where the Atlantic Ocean was called Dark Sea or Sea of Darkness: is that sailors believed to live in its waters, monsters sinking ships and devoured its crew. Henry ordered to be done expeditions to discover the West African coast. Also in his time the Portuguese arrived in the islands of Madeira and the Azores. When he died in 1460, had already reached Sierra Leone, on the coast of Africa. However, it was essential to achieve the cable that runs south of the African continent in order to pass to the other side and travel the ocean leading to India (Indian Ocean), who found that cable was Bartolomeu Dias that the call