The Renaissance - Age of Exploration Flashcards
Explain the statement “Gold, Glory, God” in terms of the Age of Exploration.
This is motto portrays the main motives of the explorers during the Age of Exploration. “God” stands for the desire to spread and expand Christianity where they explored. “Glory” stands for greater power and a larger empire. “Gold” stands for the attainment of gold, silver, and other precious stones for greater wealth.
Who were four Renaissance Explorers?
- Christopher Columbus
- Vasco da Gama
- Jacques Cartier
- Ferdinand Magellan
What would be some for the fears for these early explorers and their crews?
- They may die and not return home
- They might get sick/diseases like scurvy or tuberculosis.
- Their crew might kill them.
- They may run out of food and water and die of starvation.
- Sea monsters may attack them.
- They may get raided/attacked by raiders.
- They may fall off the face of the Earth.
What influence did the Renaissance have on the early explorers?
- Through the spread of ideas during the Renaissance, many navigational devices were introduced/developed. The compass was introduced and brought to Europe from China.
- During the Renaissance, many new ship designs were invented, from the ideas of the Arabs, Chinese, First Nations, etc. This helped the explorers go on their voyages safely.
- They were taught how to navigate and sail properly by scientists.
- When the Earth was proved round, and not flat, explorers became more open and willing to explore.
- The current trading economy during the Renaissance had made explorers want to explore and find resources and to expand their land.
- Since people were gaining wealth from trade, they were able to sponsor explorers. Prince Henry the Navigator, for example, sponsored may voyages/expeditions. This made explorers want to explore and motivated them.
How did the Spice Trade help lead to the Age of Exploration?
The Spice Trade during the Renaissance was very successful and valued all throughout Europe. Many consumers were eager to get/buy the goods. These goods were very expensive though, as hey had to be transported over very long and far distances. Every step of the way, the prices of these goods would increase. Europeans had resented these high prices. Also, the trade routes that these goods would travel were not secure/had security issues. Because of the price and security, Europeans began searching for a sea route to Asia. This had made many explorers begin to explore for a route, which resulted in the Age of Exploration.
Who was Prince Henry?
He was the Prince of Portugal that had a great interest in ships and navigation. Prince Henry became
a patron of Portuguese explorers and sponsored many voyages of exploration. He also established a center at
Sagres where cartographers, mathematicians, astronomers, sailors, and navigators from all over Europe gathered to share their knowledge. Here they improved navigational instruments and created maps based on
the information brought back by Portuguese explorers. They also created mathematical tables that helped sailors to determine their latitude.
What does the European treatment of people they came into contact with reveal about their worldview?
The European’s treatment of First Nations revealed a lot about their worldview. For one, the Europeans had only valued wealth and themselves and their own morals and didn’t respect the First Nations whatsoever. This shows that they looked down on the First Nations, and viewed them as less worthy than themselves. Secondly, the Europeans had wanted the power in everything and didn’t want to be controlled by anyone. This shows that they thought they were better than everyone else, especially the First Nations, and looked down upon them. This had led to these Europeans thinking they had the right to control and demand the First Nations. Thirdly, the Europeans had thought that themselves and their morals were much better and more civilized than what the First Nations were and what they had. This made the Europeans want to teach and convince the First Nation that what the Europeans had was right, and what the First Nations had was wrong. Fourthly, the Europeans were strongly committed to their religions and were constantly trying to convert the First Nations into their religion, as they thought the First Nations’ religion was uncivilized and not worthy. These factors had not only had an impact on the First Nations, but had also affected the Europeans’ worldview, and shaped it into what it is today.
What attitude did Europeans have toward indigenous people they found in the new territories that partly resulted in imperialism?
The Europeans had a very negative attitude toward the Indigenous people they found in the new territories.
- The Europeans had pushed them off the land they had discovered, and left them living on whatever else they had.
- They saw themselves as far more superior than them and didn’t respect them.
- Indigenous people were also enslaved by Spanish landowners and forced to work in terrible conditions. Millions of people were literally worked to death in the silver mines and fields.
What were England and France’s response to this secret Treaty of Tordesillas?
England and France were angry but ignored its terms and sent out explorers across the North Atlantic to find new territories. King Henry VII of England gave the explorer Giovanni Caboto the authority to subdue, occupy and possess all such towns, cities, castles, and isles of them found.
Spain became the richest country in Europe for many years. How did Britain react to this wealth? What technology did the British create to take riches from the Spanish ships?
Britain was very upset and envious of Spain’s wealth. English sailors looked with envy on the Spanish galleons loaded with treasure.
- English shipyards developed small, fast, highly manoeuvrable vessels that were ideal for attacks on the large, slower-moving Spanish galleons.
- Soon English captains were raiding Spanish ships and coastal towns in New Spain for treasure.
- These illegal acts were supported by Queen Elizabeth I who saw them as a way to take a cut of the Spanish
profits. - Spain’s ambassador to England protested these raids.
Discuss the motivations for expansion.
- Exploring to Expand Trade:
People were looking for a sea route to Asia in order to be able to have control over their supply of goods. And they hoped to get rich by bringing in spices and other trade goods to sell on the European market. They looked for a sea route because the goods from Asia were too expensive and the lad routes became unsecure/unsafe. - Exploring to Expand the Gold Supply:
Traders used money to buy goods. Only coins were
used and gold coins were more valuable than silver. The
problem was that European mines were running out of
gold and silver. Europeans needed to find new sources
of these precious metals so that their economy could
continue to grow. This led to them exploring the world/East in order to find this precious gold and silver. - Exploring to Expand Christianity
Religion was a very important part of the Europans worldview during the Age of Exploration. Due to this, the idea of spreading Christianity over the world was very important. Renaissance explorers and the monarchs who sponsored their voyages believed they were following Jesus’s wishes in bringing Christianity to the people in the lands they visited.
What factors might motivate society to venture into unknown regions beyond its border?
- Wealth/Money:
People during the Age of Exploration valued money/wealth so much that they were able to risk their lives to get goods. - Power/Expansion:
The more land one would own meant the more power they had. If a country had taken over and controlled the Americas, it would be so powerful. - Religion:
People that sponsored the expeditions, and the explorers all thought it was important to spread their religion, spreading Jesus’s words.
How can exploration and expansion affect the worldview of society and the societies it comes into contact with? Link your answer to specific worldview elements.
Exploration and expansion had a great effect on a society’s worldview. For one, it affected the explorer’s worldview greatly. When the Europeans had gone over to the Americas they had contact with the First Nation’s society. This greatly affected the explorers’ society worldview because they saw how the First Nations had lived so peacefully and equally, that they began to change their views. They used to think that they were superior to everyone and everything they came into contact with, but now that they had seen how peaceful and happy the First Nations were, their minds were changing. Philosophers from Europe began to think that the First Nations way of life was much better than theirs.
This also affected the First Nations because once they had saw the Europeans and their way of life, they were extremely surprised as to how different the two societies were. They wondered how the Europeans could live in such a cruel society and not be peaceful.
These two aspects made both of their views different than before and made their societal worldview aspect change drastically.
What is imperialism?
a policy of extension in which a country extends its power over their territory and its resources and people/their influence. (the extension of power over a
territory and its resources and people.)
What is expansionism?
the actions of a specific territory (state or country) that have a goal or policy to increase their power and territory/expand their territory and economy y exploring the world.
