Exam 15: Maritime Expansion in the Atlantic World, 1400 - 1600

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Bartholomew Dias (also spelled Bartolomeu Dias) was a Portuguese explorer who lived during the 15th century. He is most famous for being the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia.

Dias was born in Portugal around 1450, though the exact date is not known. He came from a noble family and was a gentleman of the royal court. King John II of Portugal appointed him to head an expedition to explore the coast of Africa and find a way to the Indian Ocean, which was part of the Portuguese effort to find a direct trade route to Asia that bypassed the overland routes controlled by other European powers and Middle Eastern empires.

In 1487, Dias set sail from Portugal with three ships. His journey took him farther than any European had gone before along the African coast. In 1488, after navigating through what he called the "Cape of Storms" (later renamed the Cape of Good Hope by King John II, to reflect the optimism of the route providing a sea link to India), Dias proved that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans were connected. This discovery was significant because it meant that ships could potentially sail from Europe to Asia without having to navigate the treacherous waters of the Middle East.

Although Dias had opened up the possibility of a sea route to India, he did not complete the journey himself. On his return to Portugal, he reported his findings to the king and provided valuable information for future expeditions. It was another Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, who would eventually make the first all-water voyage from Europe to India, following the route pioneered by Dias.

Bartholomew Dias continued to serve the Portuguese crown and later participated in da Gama's first voyage to India as a shipmaster. Unfortunately, Dias died in 1500 during a storm off the Cape of Good Hope while on a voyage with a fleet led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, which would eventually lead to the discovery of Brazil by the Europeans.

Dias's achievements were crucial in the Age of Discovery and helped to establish Portugal as a leading maritime power in the 15th and 16th centuries. His successful rounding of the Cape of Good Hope marked a significant milestone in world history, facilitating the spice trade and other commerce between Europe and the East, which had profound economic and cultural impacts on the world.

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Tlaxcala is the smallest state in Mexico, located in the east-central part of the country, immediately to the east of Mexico City. It is bordered by the Mexican states of Puebla to the northwest, east, and south, Hidalgo to the north, and Mexico to the west. The state's capital and largest city is Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl.

Tlaxcala is known for its rich history, which dates back to the pre-Columbian era. It was once the home of the Tlaxcaltecs, a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people who were notable for their resistance against the Aztec Empire. Due to their strategic alliance with the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés, the Tlaxcaltecs played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

The state is characterized by its small size, its agricultural economy, and its relatively low level of industrialization. However, Tlaxcala has a strong cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, colonial architecture, and indigenous traditions that continue to be celebrated today. It is also known for its festivals, traditional cuisine, and crafts.

In terms of identification, if you are referring to a form of identification issued by the state of Tlaxcala, residents may have various forms of ID such as a driver's license, state-issued identification card, or a voter's card (credencial para votar) issued by the National Electoral Institute (Instituto Nacional Electoral, INE). For travel outside of Mexico, Mexican citizens use a passport issued by the Mexican government.