Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/413

Italy and the Renaissance 299 The coast of North America was explored principally by English navigators, who for over a century pressed northward, still in the vain hope of finding a northwest passage to the Spice Islands. 503. The Spanish Conquests in America. Cortes began the Spanish conquests in the western world by undertaking the sub- jugation of the Aztec empire in Mexico in 1519. A few years later Pizarro established the Spanish power in Peru. Spain now superseded Portugal as a maritime power, and her importance in the sixteenth century is to be attributed largely to the wealth which came to her from her possessions in the New World. By the end of the century the Spanish Main that is, the northern coast of South America was much frequented by ad- venturous seamen, who combined in about equal parts the occu- pations of merchant, slaver, and pirate. Many of these hailed from English ports, and it is to them that England owes the beginning of her commercial greatness. The exploration of the globe and the conquest, by European nations, of peoples beyond the sea led finally to the vast coloniza- tion of modern times, which has caused many wars but has served at the same time'to spread European ideas throughout the world. QUESTIONS I. Describe the development of Italian towns during the Hundred Years' War. How was Italy divided in the fourteenth century? Give a picture of Venice at the height of her power. Describe the Italian despots. Describe Florence under the rule of the Medici. Give an ac- count of the rebuilding of Rome. Describe St. Peter's and the Vatican Palace. II. Give a brief account of Renaissance art in Italy. III. What geographical discoveries were made before 1500? What effects did explorations of this period have on commerce? What impor- tant part did the spice trade play in the exploration of the globe? What led Columbus to try to reach the Indies by sailing westward?