histoy G-10 E

 The compass, which could be used for the
safety of navel journeys, had been invented.

 The fact that the world is round had been
discovered during the Renaissance.

 Proper understanding had been provided on
the world by Ptolemy’s world map.

 National states sponsored for this journey.

The first two countries which were interested
in the purpose of exploration were Portugal
and Spain. Prince Henry in Portugal (Henry
the Navigator) extended a huge support to the
explorative affairs.

Bertholamiudus who attempted to find a sea
route from Portugal to the East and was caught
in a tempest in the South cape in Africa, named it
the Tempest Cape and sailed back to his country.
Later the king of Portugal renamed it as Cape of
Good Luck.

Vasco de Gama, who sailed in the same route
travelled by Bertholamiudus, reached the Calicut
harbour in India. This was the first sea route to
Asia, discovered by the Europeans.

Christopher Columbus was able to discover
West Indies under the auspices of Ferdinand
and the queen Isabella in Spain. Amerigo
Vespuchi discovered America (The New World).
Ferdinand Magellan discovered Philippines and
Cabe brothers discovered Canada.

The Global Trend in the Renaissance

The Renaissance first started in the city of
Florence in Italy. Afterwards it spread in the
other regions in Italy and then throughout the
Europe. Europeans started travelling to discover
new countries as a result of the explorations in
the Renaissance. As a result of it, Europeans
spread their power in the Asian, African, and

American continents. Therefore, some countries

in the above mentioned continents were colonies

of several European countries for about four and

half centuries beginning from the 16th century.

Therefore, new relations developed with Europe

and other countries in the world commercially,

socially, culturally as well as politically. As a result

of these relations, printing industry spread over

the world. Through this, European thinking and

its literature spread in other countries. Sons and

daughters of the rich in the colonies migrated

to European countries for their education. The

Europeans propagated their religion in colonies

under them. Further, as a result of constructing

churches and other buildings in their colonies,

they received the architecture and arts and crafts

of the Europeans. Due to the relations between

the Europe and other countries the world

inherited scientific knowledge and technology

of Europe. By this, the Renaissance became a

global trend.

9.2 The Influence of the Renaissance on Sri

Lanka

The influence of the Renaissance, which took

place in Europe, reached Sri Lanka with the

arrival of Portuguese, Dutch and English nations.

Since the Kandyan kingdom was independent

during the period in which these nations ruled

in the coastal areas, they could not make a broad

change in the society of this country. However,

after the conquest of the Kandyan kingdom by

the British in 1815, Sri Lanka remained a colony

of the British until 1948. Therefore, a number

of broad transformations took place in this

country not only politically but also socially and

culturally during that time.

Political Changes

By the 19th century Europe had experienced a

broad thinking transformation as a result of the

Renaissance, religious reforms, advancement

in printing, rise of capitalism and industrial