Age of Exploration_jigsaw documents-1
Page 1: Title Page
Title: A Resource to Accompany History Alive! The United States Through Industrialism
Subtitle: The Age of Exploration
Prepared by: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Note: The material aims to enhance learning about the Age of Exploration.
Page 2: Introduction to the Age of Exploration
Period: Circa 1418 - 1620
Context: European explorers undertook adventurous voyages that significantly influenced world history.
Motivation: A primary purpose was to discover sea routes to East Asia, referred to as the Indies by Europeans.
Christopher Columbus: Sailed west in search of the Indies but discovered the Americas, mistakenly believing it was Asia.
Impact: The realization of discovering the "New World" spurred European nations to claim lands in the Americas.
Example of Hardships:
Ferdinand Magellan: In 1520, faced extreme hardships, including a three-month voyage across the Pacific with dwindling supplies leading to starvation.
Page 3: Flourishing Exploration - Reasons and Advances
Why Flourished in the 1400s: Two main factors influenced exploration: motives and advances in knowledge and technology.
Motives for Exploration:
Search for new trade routes, particularly for spices from Asia, with the aim to circumvent the costly Muslim and Italian trade control.
Other interests included gaining fame, glory, and adventure along with the desire to spread Christianity through conversion.
Technological Advances:
Cartography: Improved map-making techniques, led by Ptolemy's work from the second century, aided exploration with more accurate representations of the world.
Ship Design: European shipbuilders created caravels—small, fast ships designed for coastal navigation, utilizing lateen sails.
Page 4: Navigation and Weaponry Advances
Navigational Tools:
Enhanced compass and astrolabe advancements helped in determining direction and location while sailing.
Improved cannons provided significant advantages when engaging with native populations along the coastline.
Page 5: Key Explorers and Their Contributions
Questions:
List of inquiries exploring key figures in exploration, their routes, and the countries they served (e.g., Da Gama for Portugal, Columbus for Spain).
European Claims:
Exploration led to territorial claims across continents by various European powers; Spain and Portugal were dominant early explorers.
Page 6: The Role of Portugal in the Age of Exploration
Key Figure:
Prince Henry the Navigator: Instrumental in sending explorers and establishing a navigation school in Portugal.
Significant Explorations:
Bartolomeu Dias: First to round the southern tip of Africa.
Vasco da Gama: Established a direct sea route to India by sailing around Africa in 1497.
Pedro Cabral: Claimed Brazil for Portugal and established trade routes in India.
Page 7: Impact of Portuguese Exploration
Economic and Trade Impact:
Portuguese control over trade routes to Asia lowered the prices of spices in Europe.
Colonialism in Brazil:
Portugal's colonization efforts led to significant suffering among indigenous populations due to forced labor and disease.
Increased African slave trade to fulfill labor shortages.
Page 8: Spain's Sponsorship of Exploration
Monarchs:
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: Sponsored Columbus's expedition to claim new lands for Spain and spread Christianity.
Christopher Columbus' Voyages:
Landed in the Caribbean in October 1492, leading to the Spanish claiming territories in the New World.
Ferdinand Magellan:
First to circumnavigate the globe, showcasing the extent of the world's waters and boosting European curiosity.
Page 9: Effects of Early Spanish Exploration
Consequences for Native Populations:
Spanish exploitation led to severe declines in native populations, forced labor, and cultural destruction.
Gold and resources extracted benefited Spain significantly, enhancing their economic power in Europe.
Page 10: Spanish Conquest in the Americas
Conquistadors:
Hernan Cortes: Conquered the Aztec Empire by exploiting local rivalries and advanced weaponry.
Francisco Pizarro: Brought down the Inca Empire through similar tactics, capturing their leader and leading to the empire's collapse.
Page 11: Continual Impact of Spanish Conquest
Cultural and Economic Changes:
Introduction of European agricultural practices and animals altered the ecology of the Americas drastically.
Severe reduction in indigenous populations due to disease and warfare.
Page 12: European Competition and Exploration in North America
Emerging Powers: England, France, and the Netherlands began exploring for colonies and trade.
Key Explorers:
John Cabot: Claimed parts of Canada for England.
Giovanni da Verrazano: Explored the U.S. east coast for France.
Henry Hudson: Sought a northwest passage, exploring regions named after him.
Page 13: Exploration-Fueled Conflict
Impact of Exploration on Relations:
English exploration led to tensions and conflict with Spain, particularly during the Spanish Armada's failed invasion of England in 1588.
Shift in Power Dynamics: Spain's decline allowed other European nations to pursue their own colonial ambitions.
Page 14: Economic Changes from Exploration
European Commerce:
Surge in trade led to the establishment of new trade routes and capitalist ventures fueled by explorer exploits.
Emergence of a market economy reshaped valuation and trading practices across Europe.
Page 15: The Commercial Revolution
Capitalism and Mercantilism:
Capitalism emerged driven by exploration profits and the expansion of the market economy to benefit nations through trade and resource acquisition.
Page 16: Conclusion and Summary
Impact Overview:
The Age of Exploration led to significant changes in European economies, indigenous populations, and global knowledge.
Ongoing consequences from trade, colonization, wealth distribution, and worldwide interactions.
Page 17: Review Questions
Understanding Motivations: Detailed examination of key motives for exploration including trade, knowledge, and religious conversion.
Page 18: Questions to Evaluate Exploration Contributions
Critical review of key explorers and their contributions in shaping exploration dynamics within Europe and the New World.
Page 19: Impacts of Exploration on Different Continents
Analyzing the contrasting effects of exploration leading to wealth in Europe but devastation in the Americas.
Page 20: Definitions and Economic Policies
Terms: Definitions of capitalism, market economy, cottage industry, and mercantilism associated with the Age of Exploration impacts on Europe.