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.