Medieval Explorations: Boon or Bane?
Humans have taken an interest in the exploration of places for a long time. Earlier, we looked at different places on Earth. And now, we are looking for prospects in the space. Discussing whether exploration was a boon or a bane will, thus, always be relevant to us. The medieval period (from 5th century to 15th century) saw several introductory explorations led by groups such as the Vikings. With hindsight, we can say that these explorations had laid the footsteps for the better-known explorations of the succeeding colonial period. Many cultures have been found to be exploring the world at this point of time: Europeans, Mongols, Chinese and Muslims. This essay specifically discusses the benefits and losses from the European explorations to the other parts of the world.
Why did it all begin?
Initially, explorations took place from spiritual, explorative, and prestigious perspectives (“God, gold and glory” as several historians refer to it). However, these explorations also provided other crucial benefits. Discovery of new land, cultures and ideas took place. New kinds of livestock, resources and luxury items were also found. Trading of these items was highly profitable for the explorers. This gathered more European interest in exploration. Expenditures in the sector were boosted and as a direct consequence, navigation technology advanced, allowing for longer expeditions and faster travel. This made explorations even more fruitful. At the same time, explorations also appropriately served the European motif of spreading christianity, as a means to colonise and increase their empire.
The Consequences
The European countries had to fight several battles, causing wide-spread disruption and loss of life. Numerous territorial and power-driven battles were fought. Due to the spreading of christianity, a series of large-scale religious battles, called the Crusades, also had to be fought. At the same time, exploration had exposed the Europeans to unknown diseases. This eventually led to the Black Death which is said to have killed from 30–60% of the population. The Native Americans were similarly exposed to European diseases, which took innumerable lives. The explorations had also led to discovery and trading of slaves from Africa. More importantly, the foundations for colonialism in the succeeding colonial era had been laid. Regardlessly, there were several unquestionable benefits of these explorations for the involved countries and the world as a whole. Cultural exchanges and hints of large-scale collaboration could be seen. As a direct consequence, rapid technological advancements were made. There was a massive increase in trade for both the exploring and the explored countries. This led to the establishment of the Global Economy, and the creation of several trade markets. Europe emerged as a significant cultural unit and the European scopes in various fields could be contrasted with the global scopes.
Conclusion
We all know that humans, being social creatures, have an innate desire to connect. This means that at some point, collaboration had to take place, and at a large scale. In other words, the formation of empires, and conflict at larger scales. To really make this craved connect, we have to step out of our houses and explore the surrounding, venturing out to the nearby places and meeting new people. Similarly, for the Europeans to connect with the world, exploration was essential, and inevitable, even if the deaths cannot be compensated. Acknowledging that Medieval Exploration had several significant benefits(such as the ones mentioned above), we may consider it to be a boon.
Bibliography: Book: Description of the World by Marco Polo https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Middle-Ages https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/precontact-and-early-colonial-era/old-and-new-worlds-collide/v/origins-of-european-exploration-in-the-americas http://www.myoldmaps.com/early-medieval-monographs/228-exploration.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Benefits-Stemming-from-Space-Exploration-2013-TAGGED.pdf
This was written for a Historical Essay Writing Contest. I won the prize for it in the Junior Category.
