The Age of Exploration - Key Terms Flashcards
Quadrant, astrolabe
Instruments that determined a ships latitude based on the position of the sun and the stars.
Compass
Instrument that determined a ships direction by identifying North.
Log and line
Instrument used to measure a ships speed (unit = knots) based on the number of knots on a rope released at regular intervals.
Caravel
Strong ships that was sturdy enough to last long voyages in strong winds.
Conquistadores
Spanish for “conquerers”. Soldiers who conquered the native people of South America.
Colonisation
When one country takes over another territory, then settles some people there to control the it.
Slavery triangle
A trading triangle. Slaves from Africa were transported to the Americas, American goods to Europe and the and the process would repeat.
Colombian exchange
Introduction of European goods and animals to South America and American goods and animals to Europe.
Cartographers
People who drew maps
Portolan charts
Mapped harbours and coastlines
Logbook
Used to record speed
Tacking
Turning into the wind to move.
Clinker building
Fitted edge to edge then overlapped to reinforce the ships hull.
Rudders
Made it easier to steer a caravel
Naos
Larger versions of a caravel, commonly used for voyages across the Atlantic,
Lateen sails
Triangular sails added to the ships to help steer through wind
Spices
Came from Asia - one of the main reasons for the exploration era