Age of Exploration - Revolutions Flashcards
Who were the primary European countries responsible for the Age of Exploration?
Portugal, Spain, France, and England
What did Prince Henry the Navigator do?
He funded the Portuguese navy, which established trade routes and colonies in North Africa and set the standard for seafaring exploration for the rest of Europe (1415)
What did Columbus do?
Led one of the first European expeditions to actually land in the New World; he landed in the Caribbean (1492)
What was the primary purpose behind the exploration of that time?
To find the Northwest Passage, an easier and cheaper way to trade with Asia and India. Instead, they found the New World (North/South American continents)
Which nation was most successful in exploration and colonization during the early years of the Age of Exploration?
Spain. Spain funded Columbus, had the Conquistadors, like Cortes and Pizarro, and established the Viceroyalities in Western North America and most of South America
What did Magellan do?
Led the first expedition to circumnavigate the world, although he died on before making it back home (1522)
When did England first establish colonies in North America?
1585 (Failed Roanoake colony) and 1607 (Successful Jamestown and failed Popham colonies)
When did the French settle the Quebec province?
1608
What event gave England control of all land east of the Mississippi and was one of the big influences of the American Revolution later in history?
The Seven Years War. England beat France, but the debts that both countries had were instrumental in starting the American and French Revolutions
What was the Scientific Revolution?
A push towards logical, rational thinking among the people of Europe. Included men like Galileo, Bacon, Descarte, and Newton (1507-1700s)
What was the Enlightenment?
A period when the citizens of Europe were beginning to seek individual rights freedoms, and education
What were some the contributing factors that led to the American Revolution?
Most American colonists hadn’t even been to Europe and had no real loyalty to the British way of life; England was attempting to get out of debt by taxing the colonies without representation in Parliament; The British sent occupying forces to deal with colonist resistance, which escalated things.
Where were some of the contributing factors that led to the French Revolution?
France was in debt from the Seven Years War, extreme weather destroyed crops and caused a famine, the royal family was spending tons of money despite being in debt.
Who started the Reign of Terror?
Maximilien Robespierre and his followers. They took advantage of the weak new republic and began beheading anyone who challenged or disagreed with their ideas for France
Who finally solved France’s problems (mostly) and took over?
Napoleon Bonaparte. He eventually declared himself “Emperor” of France.
