Ap world 4.1

what caused european exploration?

– Desire for wealth (gold, spices), spread of Christianity, and glory.

– Ottoman control over land trade routes pushed Europeans to seek sea routes.

What technology made exploration possible?

– Astrolabe: used stars to find latitude.

– Magnetic compass: improved direction finding.

– Lateen sail: allowed ships to sail against wind.

– Caravel: small, fast ship (Portuguese).

– Carrack & Fluyt: large ships for long voyages and cargo.

What were key navigational innovations?

– Sternpost rudder (China → Europe).

– Cartography (mapmaking) advances.

– Knowledge of wind patterns (trade winds, monsoon winds).

Which empires led exploration?

– Portugal: Prince Henry the Navigator; coast of Africa.

– Spain: funded Columbus (1492).

– England, France, Netherlands followed later (1500s–1600s).

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?

Portuguese prince who sponsored voyages along Africa’s coast and opened navigation schools.

What role did the Portuguese play in the Indian Ocean?

– Built trading-post empire (Goa, Malacca, Hormuz).

– Controlled spice trade with forts.

Who was Vasco da Gama?

Sailed around Cape of Good Hope (1497), reached India, opened sea route for Portugal.

Who was Christopher Columbus?

– Sponsored by Spain, reached the Americas (1492), thought he was in Asia.

– Started Columbian Exchange.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

– Global transfer of plants, animals, diseases, people between Old and New Worlds.

– Europe → Americas: horses, pigs, cattle, smallpox.

– Americas → Europe: corn, potatoes, tomatoes, cacao.

– Africa → Americas: enslaved people.

What were the effects of new maritime empires?

– Rise of mercantilism (wealth = power).

– Start of global trade networks.

– Decline of old land-based empires (Mughals, Ottomans).