Notes

How did the compass and caravels improve European voyages?

They shortened voyages, made navigation easier, and reduced the danger of getting lost at sea.

What motivated countries to explore during the Age of Exploration?

To spread religion, conquer land, expand trade, and show power.

What was the significance of Columbus discovering the Americas?

It began the Columbian Exchange, where goods, ideas, cultures, and diseases were traded between the Old and New Worlds.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement dividing exploration zones—Spain got mostly west, Portugal got mostly east.

Why was Spain able to conquer the Americas despite smaller numbers?

They had advanced weapons and technology compared to indigenous peoples.

How was Catholicism spread in the Americas?

Missionaries converted indigenous populations, influencing local cultures.

What new labor systems emerged in the Americas?

Encomienda, mita, plantation labor, and African slavery.

How were Amerindian societies impacted by European exploration?

They suffered population decline from disease, land loss, and cultural changes, but some traditions survived.

How did European exploration affect global trade?

It expanded global trade networks, connecting the Old and New Worlds.