explorers

Age of Exploration

  • Definition: Era when European explorers sought new trade routes and lands (1400s-1600s).

Learning Goals

  • Explain the Age of Exploration.

  • Define the term explorer.

Key Terms

  • Explorer: Individual traveling to discover new places/information.

  • Artifact: Object made and used by humans in the past.

  • Voyage: Long trip or journey.

Background of the Age of Exploration

  • Explorers from Europe aimed to reach Asia.

  • Motivations included land acquisition and trade.

European Exploration Overview

  • Time Frame: 1400s-1600s.

  • Countries Involved: France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

  • Explorers were hired by their governments with resources for voyages.

Reasons for Exploration

  • Power: More land equated to more control.

  • Resources: Desire for gold, silver, jewels, spices.

  • Trade: Quicker routes facilitated trade with other nations, increasing wealth.

  • Spices Importance: Essential for food preservation before refrigeration.

  • Three G’s to Remember:

    • Gold (wealth)

    • Glory (power)

    • God (spread religion)

Dangers of Exploring

  • Navigation Challenges: Limited to compass.

  • Weather Hazards: Storms, bad winds, icebergs.

  • Health Risks: No doctors or medicine available.

  • Food Shortages: Spoilage and starvation were common.

  • Piracy: Pirates attacked ships directly.

Notable Explorers

Christopher Columbus

  • Background: Born in Italy, sailed for Spain.

  • Voyages: Used three ships (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria). Claimed land and sought riches.

  • Encounters: Met Native Americans, misunderstood as 'Indians.'

Jacques Cartier

  • Background: French navigator (1534-1541).

  • Achievements: Explored St. Lawrence River, established Quebec, significant on fur trade.

John Cabot

  • Background: Italian explorer who claimed land for England.

  • Major Contributions: First to explore Newfoundland, looking for Asia.

Henry Hudson

  • Timeline: Explorer from 1607-1611.

  • Noteworthy: Discovered Hudson Bay, faced mutiny.

Giovanni Verrazano

  • Objective: Sought Northwest Passage; explored North Carolina, New York Bay.

  • Outcome: Multiple voyages, never found passage.

Samuel de Champlain

  • Influence: Known for accurate maps and establishing Québec City in 1608.

  • Explorations: Mapped much of Canada and the Northeast U.S.