The Fifteenth Century
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The fifteenth century spans the years 1401 to 1500 in the Gregorian calendar. It is remembered as a century of transformation in commerce, technology, and states, particularly in Europe, Asia, and the Indian Ocean.
This period is often described as the bridge between the medieval centuries of Europe and the early modern era. However, that division originated from European historical analysis; other continents had different periodization schemes.
Byzantium and the Ottomans
In 1453, Ottoman forces under Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople, now Istanbul. This marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire. The Ottomans made the city their capital and expanded their control over the Balkans and the Middle East.
Voyages at sea
Portuguese explorers made successive voyages along the western coast of Africa, seeking a sea route to India. Bartolomeu Dias reached Africa's southern tip in 1488. In 1492, Christopher Columbus, supported by the Spanish crown, reached the Caribbean islands, initiating sustained contact between Europe and the Americas. Vasco da Gama began his voyage to India at the turn of the century.
At the start of the century, Chinese ships under the command of Zheng He, sailing for the Ming dynasty, made numerous voyages across the Indian Ocean, along the East African coast, and into the Gulf. These voyages were later discontinued by government order.
Printing and knowledge
In the middle of the century, Johannes Gutenberg, based in Mainz in Germany, developed a printing press using movable metal type. This technology lowered the cost of books and increased the circulation of written works in Europe. At the same time, the Renaissance movement in Italy spread innovations in art, architecture, and the study of classical texts.
Asia, Africa, and the Americas
The Ming dynasty ruled China. The East African coast and interior had trading cities connected to the Indian Ocean, including Mogadishu, Barawa, and Kilwa. In South America, the Inca state expanded along the western coast of the Andes, while the Aztecs ruled central Mexico.