Unit 1: Topic 3 - European Exploration in the Americas Flashcards
European Exploration in the Americas
What were the three main reasons for European expansion into Western Hemisphere?
The 3 G’s: Gold, Glory, God
Gold: European wanted new sources of wealth (trade with Asia).
Glory: After Christopher Columbus, other European explorers went on voyages to gain power & status.
God: convert native populations to Christianity
How did Europeans discover the New World?
Crusades connected Europe to Asian goods such as silk, spices, and tea, and as a result, they developed a taste for Asian markets.
The Mediterranean region was dominated by Arabs, so they started looking for a western route to Asia.
Spain sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage to find a western route to Asia, leading to the “discovery” of the New World.
Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?
He was the prince of Portugal who sponsored many voyages of exploration.
He succeeded in opening up a long sea route around South Africa to Asia.
