Chapter 2. The Age Of Exploration

Question 0

Textbooks once referred to this time period as the “ age of discovery “. Why do you think many have stopped calling it this?

Answer 0

Because the Europeans were discovering something that natives have already discovered.

Question 1

What was the age of exploration?

Answer 1

From about 1400 to 1600, Europeans sailed across the vast oceans to explore Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This period is called the age of exploration.

Question 2

How did Improved Technology affect the Age of Exploration?

Answer 2

Improved technology:

• before this ships were not capable of long distance journeys
• early 1400s, Portuguese ships makers created the caravel
• To improved navigation tools: the marina’s compass and the astrolabe
• Learned to make better, more accurate maps

Question 3

How did Trade affect the Age of Exploration?

Answer 3

Trade:

• europeans grown tired of paying high prices to Italian merchants for Asian goods
• these merchants, pay high prices to Muslim traders of the Ottoman empire,which controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia
• europeans wanted to control Richard trade with Asia so they would have to find a new route to Asia, one that didn’t use the Mediterranean Sea and Landrich controlled by the Ottomans
• Portugal and Spain set out to find a sea route starting from their Atlantic coasts
• The Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453 and blocked European access to the area severely limiting trade
• also blocked access to North Africa and the red Sea: two very important trade routes to the Far East
• europeans wanted to “cut out the middleman “and begin profiting from this trade themselves

Question 4

How did Powerful monarchs rivalry affect the Age of Exploration?

Answer 4

• As monarchs became more powerful, gained more control of their own kingdoms, and felt more secure, they were able to look beyond their own lands
• also had the funds and the resources to support exploration
• European powers were frequently at war with each other and posed real threats to each other. Any possible advantage could not be ignored
• Exploration was not just an opportunity to increase their own personal reputation, but possibly the wealth, lands, and strength of their kingdoms as well