Outline for Age of Exploration Test

Exploration and Colonization Study Outline 

Part I: Motives for Exploration 

Know the key phrase: Gold, Glory, and God 

1. GOLD 

o Economic motive: desire for wealth and access to Asian spices, silk, and gold. o Importance of finding new trade routes to avoid middlemen (Muslim & Italian  merchants). 

2. GLORY 

o Personal and national fame. 

o Rivalries between European powers (Spain, Portugal, England, France,  Netherlands). 

3. GOD 

o Spread Christianity (especially Catholicism). 

o Missionary work by explorers and colonizers. 

Part II: Technological Advancements That Made Exploration Possible 

Be able to name and explain the impact of these tools: 

1. Caravel – A fast, maneuverable ship with cargo capacity. 

2. Astrolabe – Allowed sailors to determine latitude using the stars. 

3. Magnetic Compass – Helped sailors determine direction. 

4. Cartography – Advances in mapmaking improved navigation accuracy. 

5. Understanding Wind Patterns – Helped make long-distance sailing more predictable and  efficient. 

Part III: Major Explorers – Know Their Accomplishments 

Be able to identify each of these six explorers, their nationality, and their main achievement. Explorer Nation Achievement 

Bartolomeu Dias Portugal First to round the Cape of Good Hope (southern tip of Africa). Vasco da Gama Portugal First to reach India by sea around Africa. 

Christopher  

_ColumbusSpain Reached the Caribbean; believed it was Asia.

Explorer Nation Achievement 

Ferdinand Magellan Spain His crew completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. 

_{Amerigo Vespucci Italy/Spain}Realized the Americas were not Asia; Americas named after  him. 

_{John Cabot England}Explored Newfoundland; claimed parts of North America for  England. 

Study Tip: Make flashcards for each explorer with nation, route, and result. 

Part IV: Treaty of Tordesillas 

1. Signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal. 

2. Divided the world into two spheres: 

o Portugal could claim lands east of the line. 

o Spain could claim lands west of the line. 

Part V: Effects of Exploration 

Know the impact of European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries: • Portuguese & Spanish colonization 

o Spread of Christianity 

o Establishment of empires in the Americas 

o Introduction of diseases that decimated Indigenous populations 

o Beginning of the Atlantic slave trade 

• Multinational Corporations 

o Ex: Dutch and British East India Companies 

o Goal: Profits from trade and colonization

Part VI: Colonization Patterns by Country 

Know the key motivations and actions of France, England, and the Netherlands (Dutch). Country Notable Colonies Main Goals/Activities France Montreal, Louisiana Fur trade, fishing, Catholic evangelism England Jamestown, 13 Colonies Raw materials, religious freedom 

_NetherlandsNew Netherland (New York),  Suriname 

Part VII: The Philippines 

• Named after King Philip II of Spain. 

Study Strategies 

• Review guided notes  

Trade, chartered the Dutch West India  Company 

• Quiz yourself on explorer flashcards and treaty details. 

• Re-write your notes in your own words to boost understanding. 

Final Checklist Before the Test 

___ I can explain Gold, Glory, God 

___ I can name 3 navigation tools and explain their purpose 

___ I know what each major explorer accomplished 

___ I understand the Treaty of Tordesillas 

___ I can describe colonization patterns for France, England, and the Netherlands ___ I know what the Dutch East India Company was 

___ I’ve practiced matching explorers to their discoveries