Which of the following was of greater importance as a reason for overseas exploration, 1445-1570? (i) Religion (ii) Technological change

Religion was undoubtedly a vital motivating factor for overseas exploration in Spain and Portugal. Within the Reconquista, ending for Portugal with the capture of Farzo in 1249 and for Spain with the conquest of Granada in 1492, both Iberian states forged a messianic sense of religious fervour and consequently endeavoured to take this battle against Muslims overseas. Spain in particular came to view itself as a new holy land with its inhabitants being the “new Israelites”, championing God’s cause. King Ferdinand strongly backed Spanish soldiers abroad and Pope Alexander VI granted crusading status to a Spanish offensive in North Africa in 1494, a number of costal strongholds being taken as a result. The attack on Ceuta as early as 1415 signified Portuguese aggression towards the Moors in North Africa. Indeed, they went on to explore down the West coast to outflank the encroaching authority of the Moors and search for Christian allies. Moreover, the search for a Christian ally drove exploration to new heights. Henry the Navigator, in particular, was determined to locate the legendary Prestor John, hoping to make use of his supposed vast wealth to defeat the Ottoman threat. Evangelism, too, spurred exploration, Alexander VI’s 1493 papal bull instructing the Spanish monarchs to send men to imbue the natives with ‘Christian faith and sound morals’. Indeed, by 1536 there had been 5 million conversions in Mexico alone. Often, religious motivations were second to the desire for wealth and the idea of a religious crusade was used as a guise to obtain patronage for the papacy. It is likely that conversions and the search for a Christian ally were more often a convenient side venture rather than the singular motive for exploration. Nevertheless, the evidence does suggest that religion was still an important motive for overseas exploration.
Technological change, conversely, was a facilitator of exploration. By the beginning of the 15th century advances by land were considered to be slow and hazardous, so the development of adequate ships was necessary for exploration overseas to succeed. The Caravel, developed in 1451, was designed especially for exploration, it’s small size, shallow draught, and light but seaworthy build made it appropriate for navigating narrow routes and the lateen sails lent an ease of handling in all winds. Columbus used two of these ships in his first Atlantic crossing in 1492 . Without such a competent ship it is unlikely that exploration would have been as successful nor efficient, thus it both provided means to explore, and confidence to patrons and explorers to sail. Other ships also provided confidence, such as the Carrack, whose larger and sturdier hull made longer voyages through stormier seas more feasible. Improved navigation provided the confidence and means for explorers to navigate the seas, equipment such as an astrolabe enabling men to measure latitude, while the technique of dead reckoning (of which Columbus was particularly adept) could provide a rough estimation of ones positioning. This, along with the improvement in maps, acted as a reason for exploration to take place in that it facilitated the voyages. However, the importance of technology should not be overstated. Knowledge of geography was limited in the initial stages of exploration and yet men continued to venture into what was literally the ‘unknown’. Improvements in maps, navigational techniques and ship design were a response to exploration rather than a trigger for it, not dictating the course of events so much as conveniently facilitating it. Overall, technological change was certainly a great facilitator but it is fair to argue that without any impetus, these ships and techniques would not be used. Religion, thus, should be considered of greater importance as a reason for overseas exploration.