Unit 4: Topic 1 - Technological Innovations from 1450 to 1750

Question 1

Astrolabe

Answer 1

Created by the Greeks and mastered by the Islamic world, it measured the incline position of celestial bodies to determine location.

Question 2

Understanding Wind Patterns

Answer 2

European mariners began to understand the circular gyre of trade winds which decreased the length of particular voyages (ex. Portuguese ships would sail west to reach India to avoid sailing into the winds)

Question 3

Caravel

Answer 3

15th Century Portuguese ships used to explore the west coast of Africa. The lateen sail allowed it to sail into the wind. The most famous example is Columbus’ Nina and the Pinta.

Question 4

Carrack

Answer 4

15th Century ocean-going caravels with 3-4 masts. Used to trade along the African coast, Asia, and America. Most famous example is Columbus’ Santa Maria.

Question 5

Fluyt

Answer 5

16th Century Dutch cargo ship that could carry 2x the cargo for 1/2 the price with 1/2 the crew, in 1670, Fluyts carried 1/2 of all European Sea Trade

Question 6

Lateen Sail

Answer 6

A triangular sail that originated in the Mediterranean as early as the 2nd century CE, during Roman times, eventually adopted by Arab seafarers in the 13th century CE and played a prominent part in the shifts in maritime technology.

Question 7

Magnetic Compass

Answer 7

The magnetic compass is the most familiar compass type. It functions as a pointer to “magnetic north” the local magnetic meridian, because the magnetized needle at its heart aligns itself with the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field.

Question 8

Manila Galleons

Answer 8

Spanish trading ships that sailed the Pacific Ocean for 250 years, bringing to the Americas cargoes of luxury goods such as spices and porcelain in exchange for New World silver. The Manila–Acapulco galleon trade finally began when Spanish navigators Alonso de Arellano and Andrés de Urdaneta discovered the eastward return route in 1565. Sailing as part of the expedition commanded by Miguel López de Legazpi to conquer the Philippines in 1564, He commanded a vessel that could complete the eastward voyage in 129 days; this marked the opening of the Manila galleon trade.

Question 9

Cartography

Answer 9

The science or the art of making maps