Age of Exploration

What time period did the Age of Exploration occur?

From the early 1400s to the mid-1600s.

What were the main countries that led exploration?

Spain, Portugal, England, and France

What were explorers trying to find during the Age of Exploration?

A faster sea route to Asia for trade.

What were the “Three G’s” of exploration?

Gold, Glory, and God

What does “Gold” represent in the Three G’s

The desire for wealth and valuable goods like spices, silk, and gold.

What does “Glory” represent in the Three G’s

Personal fame and national pride.

What does “God” represent in the Three G’s?

The wish to spread Christianity.

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?

A Portuguese prince who started the first school of navigation in 1418.

What is a caravel?

A small, fast ship that could sail against the wind and was easy to steer.

What is a carrack?

A large ship with three or four masts that carried supplies for long voyages.

What ship did Columbus use that was a carrack?

The Santa Maria.

What is a compass?

A tool that uses magnets to point north and help sailors find direction.

What is an astrolabe?

A tool sailors used to measure the height of the sun or stars to find their location.

What is a cross-staff?

A tool used to measure the angle between the sun and the horizon to determine position at sea.

What is celestial navigation?

Using the sun, moon, and stars to guide a ship’s direction.

What is cartography?

The science and art of making maps.

How did the printing press help explorers?

It made maps easier to copy and share.

Who invented the compass?

The Chinese.

What does “circumnavigate” mean?

To sail completely around the world.

Who was Ferdinand Magellan?

The first explorer to lead a voyage that circumnavigated the world.

Who was Marco Polo?

An explorer who traveled to Asia and inspired later explorers with his writings.

What does “uncharted” mean?

An area that has not been mapped or explored.

What does “voyage” mean?

A long journey by sea.

What were some positive results of exploration?

Discovery of new lands, trade routes, and increased global connections.

What were some negative results of exploration?

Spread of diseases and harm to indigenous peoples.

What kind of ship improvements helped exploration?

New sails, stronger masts, and faster designs like the caravel.

Why did rulers sponsor explorers?

To gain wealth, power, land, and spread Christianity.

What did the Age of Exploration lead to?

New colonies, trade routes, and global exchange of goods and ideas.

What was the main goal of explorers searching for sea routes to Asia?

To find faster and cheaper ways to trade for spices and silk.

What school did Prince Henry start?

The Portuguese School of Navigation.