This article explores why 1492 is often called the year the world was born, examining the critical events of that year, their causes and consequences, and how they set the stage for the modern globalized era.
The Context of the Late 15th Century
Europe on the Eve of Change
The late 15th century was a time of great upheaval and transition in Europe. The Middle Ages were drawing to a close, giving way to the Renaissance, a revival of classical learning, art, and science.
Political powers were consolidating. The medieval patchwork of small kingdoms, duchies, and city-states increasingly coalesced into centralized nation-states, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula with the union of Castile and Aragon under Ferdinand and Isabella.
Religious tensions were mounting, culminating in efforts to enforce religious uniformity, such as the Spanish Inquisition.
Technological and Navigational Advances
Advances in navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography made long-distance sea voyages more feasible. The invention of the magnetic compass, improvements in astrolabes, and the development of the caravel—a highly maneuverable ship—empowered explorers to venture into the unknown. shutdown123