The age of exploration

Question 1

What are the overall preconditions/causes of the discovery of America?

Answer 1

1. Technological advancements
2. Prosperous merchant class

They basically wanted more money and spices

Question 2

Why did Portugal have a head start in the race to find a waterway to Asia?

Answer 2

Excellent Harbors, fisherman and sailors

Question 3

What were some of the landmarks of the Portuguese sea exploration of the western coast of Africa?

Answer 3

1. Gulf of guinea (trade in gold and slaves)
2. Mouth of the congo river (1483 Diogo Cão)
3. Round the tip of africa into indian ocean (Bartholomeu Dias 1487)

Question 4

Columbus voyages

Answer 4

1492 San Salvador (First arrival to America)
1498 Landed on Trinidad and the mouths of the Orinoco
1502 Crossed the caribbean to the coast of central america