AP World 4.1- Technological Innovations

cartography

the science of making maps, improved navigation as well as knowledge f wind patterns, these maps became some of the most valuable commodities

omani-european rivalry

european traders were challenged by middle eastern merchants- trade rivalry.
-ottoman empire controlled the region
-a reason why Christopher Columbus searched for a new route to India

european innovation

combined ancient sailing knowledge with new ideas from the islamic and asian world

prince henry the navigator

portuguese kings son, leading figure of the early years of the maritime revolution
-never sailed far enough out to sea to lose sight of land
-financed expeditions along African coast
-portugal was the first to explore african coastal communities

sir isaac newton's discovery of gravitation

increased knowledge of tides, sailors able to predict depth of water, enable detection of rocks

astronomical charts

faced improvements, maps of stars and galaxies, led to more people than ever being able to navigate the world

astrolabe

-improved by muslim scholars
-determined how far north or south of the equator you were
-eventually replaced by the european quadrant.

magnetic compass

became the primary direction-finding device in navigation

lateen sail

triangular sail, was developed by Arab sailors, could catch the wind from different directions

new ships that improved trade

Carrack - 150 ft long, developed by Portugal
Caravel - 75 ft long, developed by Portugal and Spain
Main ships used in transoceanic sailing
Fluyt - 80 ft long, developed by the Dutch

long-term results

-rapid expansion of exploration and global trade
-introduction of gunpowder aided europeans in conquests
-the world as we know it is going to change forever
-the age of exploration marks the beginning of the europeanization of the entire world

what initiated this increase in innovations?

-as populations in Europe grew, people needed opportunities to find jobs and food
-religious minorities searched for more tolerant lands
-europe never totally isolated from East and South Asia; important trade