Explorers Quiz Flashcards
Why were explorers afraid to sail west?
Some thought the world might end; other thought the ocean was never-ending or called “Ocean Sea”
Why did Portugal become a leader in exploring?
There was not port in Mediterranean Sea, so they wanted to find new route to China/India; Also wanted direct route to gold from Africa
Explain Portugal’s Prince Henry.
Set up “Center for Exploration” or sarges; became known as “Henry the Navigator”; never went on voyages but planned them; would take info brought back from voyages and make new maps
What did Portugal do on the coast of Africa? And what was it called?
Established trading posts and trade for gold and ivory; called “The Gold Coast”
Who launched missions to find a route to China/India?
King John II; also kept exploring further south along Africa’s coast
What was Bartholomew Dias sent to do?
Explore Southernmost tip of Africa and Indian Ocean
What happened during Bartholomew Dias’ voyage?
Ran into huge storm and lost sight of land; once back on course realized he sailed around Africa
What did Bartholomew Dias call the tip of Africa?
“Cape of Good Hope”
Explain Vasco De Gama’s voyage?
Didn’t stay within sight of land; some points closer to brazil than Africa’ was at sea for 96 days; went around Cape of Good Hope
What happened after Vasco De Gama went around Cape of Good Hope?
He met sailors who knew Indian Ocean well; Reached Calicut India May 1498
Where was Vasco De Gama from?
Portugal
What land did Portugal claim while trying to follow Gama’s route to India?
Brazil
What happened after Portugal began regular routes to India?
They returned with spices, porcelain, and silks; made Lisbon the center of trade in Europe
What areas did the Vikings explore?
Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Northern US
What did Leif Eriksson explore?
Southwest of Greenland
Where was Christopher Columbus born?
Genoa, Italy
Where was the first place he sailed for and where did he go?
Portugal; traveled from Arctic circle to Africa’s Gold coast
Why did Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand from Spain agree to finance a voyage to Asia?
Spain became jealous of trading success of Portugal; Columbus promised to spread Christianity; If was a success, Spain would become very wealthy
What was Columbus’ biggest ship?
Santa Maria
Why did Columbus’ sailors start to worry after a month at sea?
Thought they would never reach their destination; tried to convince Columbus to go back
What was the first place Columbus spotted?
Spots of a small island that was a part of the Bahamas; San Salvador
What title did Columbus get?
“Admiral of the Ocean Sea”
What all did Columbus explore?
Caribbean, Central American coast, South America
How more times did Columbus return?
3
What did Amerigo Vespucci realize in 1502?
That what they were exploring was not Asia but in fact a “New World”; European map makers named the new world America after him
What did Vasco Nunez do?
Crossed Panama and became 1st European to see Pacific Ocean from the Americas
Where did Ferdinand Magellan die and why?
Died in the Philippines at the hands of Natives, crew didn’t save him
What was significant about Ferdinand Magellan’s crew?
1st crew to sail around the world
What was the Columbian Exchange?
Mixing of plants, animals, and culture between New and Old worlds
