EXAM HELP
STUDY GUIDE (Social Studies 8 – Fourth Quarter)
Why Did Exploration and Voyages Occur?
From the 15th to 17th century, European countries began exploring to find new routes, lands, and opportunities. This was driven by the 3 G’s: Gold, God, and Glory.
1. GOLD – Search for Wealth
Europeans wanted:
spices (pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg)
gold and silver
new markets for their products
natural resources like land, wood, and minerals
Why?
Spices were expensive in Europe and controlled by Muslim and Italian traders, so Europeans searched for new routes to Asia.
2. GOD – Spread of Christianity
Their goals:
spread Christianity
convert indigenous people
stop the spread of Islam
Why?
They believed it was their duty to “save” non-Christians.
3. GLORY – Power and Fame
They wanted:
to expand their territories
gain prestige and fame
be recognized as discoverers
Why?
More land meant more power.
4. Technology That Helped Exploration
compass
astrolabe
stronger ships (caravel)
more accurate maps
Importance:
Made travel safer and faster.
5. Fall of Constantinople (1453)
When the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, trade routes to Asia were blocked.
➡ Europe was forced to find sea routes.
6. Desire to Trade with Asia
Asia was known for:
silk
porcelain
spices
gold
Europe wanted direct trade without middlemen.
Summary
Exploration happened because of:
search for wealth (Gold)
spread of Christianity (God)
desire for power and fame (Glory)
technological advancements
closure of old trade routes
desire to trade with Asia
Imperialism and Colonialism
1. Colonialism
Colonialism is when a powerful country establishes colonies to control land and people.
Goals:
gain natural resources
expand territory
spread religion
increase trade
Examples:
Spain in the Philippines
Britain in India
2. Imperialism
Imperialism is broader—it expands power through economy, politics, military, or culture, even without direct control.
Goals:
economic control
stronger influence
new markets
military expansion
Examples:
powerful countries influencing weaker economies
cultural spread (e.g., Americanization)
Simple Explanation
Colonialism = direct control of land and people
Imperialism = expanding power without direct rule
Age of Exploration and Colonialism
Main Idea:
Exploration led to global changes in trade, culture, economy, and population.
Key Concepts:
Colonialism → raw materials + new markets
Exploration → global cultural & population changes
Navigation tech → safer travel
Fall of Aztec & Inca → due to weapons & disease
Motivation → God, Gold, Glory
Treaty of Tordesillas → Spain & Portugal divided lands
Smallpox → unintentionally destroyed native populations
Remember:
Mercantilism → wealth = gold & silver
Spice Islands → Indonesia
Spices were valuable in Europe
Industrial Revolution Inventions
Textile Industry
Flying Shuttle – John Kay (1733)
Spinning Jenny – James Hargreaves (1764)
Water Frame – Richard Arkwright (1769)
Spinning Mule – Samuel Crompton (1779)
Power Loom – Edmund Cartwright (1785)
Cotton Gin – Eli Whitney (1793)
Jacquard Loom – Joseph Jacquard (1804)
Transportation
Steam Locomotive – George Stephenson
Steamboat – Robert Fulton (1807)
Steam Engine – James Watt
Communication & Technology
Telegraph – Samuel Morse (1837)
Telephone – Alexander Graham Bell (1876)
Typewriter – Christopher Sholes (1868)
Health & Science
Smallpox Vaccine – Edward Jenner (1796)
Stethoscope – René Laennec (1816)
Daily Life
Sewing Machine – Elias Howe / Isaac Singer
Refrigerator – Jacob Perkins (1834)
Light Bulb – Thomas Edison (1879)
Age of Exploration Figures
Prince Henry → navigation school
Vasco da Gama → reached India by sea
Marco Polo → inspired Europeans
Pizarro → conquered Inca
John Cabot → explored North America
Amerigo Vespucci → “America” named after him
Columbus → Caribbean (1492)
Cortés → conquered Aztec
Magellan → first world voyage
Dias → Cape of Good Hope
Enlightenment Thinkers
Hobbes → strong ruler, social contract (Leviathan)
Locke → natural rights (Two Treatises)
Montesquieu → separation of powers
Rousseau → general will (Social Contract)
Voltaire → freedom of speech
Diderot → knowledge (Encyclopedia)
Adam Smith → capitalism (Wealth of Nations)
French Revolution
How It Started (1789)
inequality (Three Estates)
economic crisis
weak leadership (Louis XVI)
Estates-General conflict
Storming of the Bastille
Why It Happened
unfair system
desire for change
Enlightenment ideas
Connection to Enlightenment
promoted rights, freedom, equality
inspired r
evolution
led to Declaration of the Rights of Man
Key Facts
ended absolute monarchy
Louis XVI executed
Robespierre → Reign of Terror
Napoleon → rose to power