The Age of Exploration
and Discovery
What factors led to the Age of Exploration and Discovery?
Timeline of Events in Europe
• Renaissance in Europe- revival of learning, studying both the Ancient world
and the world they lived in. (1300-1600)
• Magnetic Compass, Astrolabe and Caravel were invented allowing for further
travel into the Ocean (1400’s)
• Printing press invented- spread of information led to growth in Art and
Science and Exploration ( 1450’s)
What motivated Exploration?
• Curiosity- desire to learn about and understand other cultures
• Religion- spread Christianity, fear of the rise of Islam
• Economic- spices and luxuries in the far east, quest for silver and gold that was
becoming more scarce in Europe
• Political- build and empire and conquer other lands
• Some will say it is more simple… the three G’s
• God, Glory, Gold
• What was it like? http://www.history.com/interactives/age-of-exploration
Who were the first European explorers?
Where did they go?
• Portugal
• Goal- Trade-find a way around Africa to
India
• 1419 Prince Henry the Navigator began
funding exploration
• Began trading on the West African coast
• Bartholomeu Dias- rounded the Cape of
Good Hope (1488)
• Vasco de Gama- reached Indian Ocean (
1499)
• Brazil- established slave trade
Map of the World in 1490
Map of the World in 1590
Who were the first European explorers?
Where did they go?
• Spain
• Goal- conquest and colonization
• Columbus- 1474 idea to reach India by sailing west
• Contract from Ferdinand and Isabella to become “Admiral of the Ocean Sea”
• Control of all lands found and 10% of riches
• Did Columbus discover America?
• http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus
Columbus Controversy
• Read article Columbus Controversy
• Answer the following:
1. What actions of Columbus may have been considered controversial?
2. What actions of Columbus are considered heroic or beneficial?
3. In your opinion, should we celebrate Columbus day in the United States? Why or
why not, cite something specific to support your opinion. (ticket out the door)
Who were the first European explorers?
Where did they go?
• Spain (continued)
• Vasco Nunez de Balboa- crossed the isthmus of Panama, reached the Pacific Ocean,
claiming all lands that it touched for Spain (1519)
• Ferdinand Magellan- crossed the straights of Cape Horn around South America, he was
killed but his ship and crew circumnavigated the globe, returning to Spain ( 1522)
• Hernando Cortez- conquistador of the Aztecs in South America
• Spain’s policy was to convert natives to Christianity, plunder for gold and silver and send it
back to Europe
• With in 30 years, the Aztec population went from 25 million to 2 million
Voyage of
Hernando Cortez
Who were the first European explorers?
Where did they go?
The English, French
and Dutch entered the
race later and focused
on colonizing North
America.
Columbian Exchange
• SAS Curriculum Pathways
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• Username: mttabor
• No password
QL 186
Go through the directions, except respond on your notes paper by:
Completing the chart that demonstrates the exchange of good and note whether it
was positive or negative/beneficial or harmful to either side.
Answer the question that follows
Columbian Exchange
Exploration of North America
• Dig a little deeper into who came to North America and Why
• Read the article and complete the chart
Why
Who
Country/Individual
Where/significance
Final Assessment of Discovery and
Exploration
• Would you consider the long term effects of the Columbian Exchange an
overall positive outcome on the world, or negative?
• Consider the facts from the videos, articles and sites that you viewed.
• Support your argument with at least 3 pieces of evidence.