Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration refers to a period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century during which European powers sought new trade routes and territories across the globe. This era was marked by extensive maritime exploration, leading to the discovery of new lands, the establishment of overseas colonies, and significant cultural exchanges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration was driven by European desires for new trade routes, wealth, and spreading Christianity.
2. Key figures like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan made significant voyages that expanded European knowledge of the world.
3. European nations established vast colonial empires during this period, particularly in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
4. The discovery of the New World led to profound changes in Europe, including shifts in economic power and social structures.
5. The age also facilitated the Columbian Exchange, which significantly impacted global agriculture and population demographics.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in maritime technology contribute to the Age of Exploration?
  • Advancements in maritime technology, such as the development of the caravel, improved navigational tools like the astrolabe and compass, and more accurate maps, greatly facilitated exploration. These innovations allowed sailors to travel longer distances with greater safety and precision. As a result, European powers could embark on ambitious voyages, leading to significant discoveries that altered their understanding of geography and opened up new opportunities for trade and colonization.
• Discuss the impact of the Treaty of Tordesillas on European exploration and colonial rivalry.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas played a crucial role in shaping European exploration by formally dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. This agreement aimed to reduce conflict over claims to territories but also intensified competition among other European nations. Countries like England, France, and the Netherlands began to seek their own colonies and trade routes, leading to further exploration and rivalry in pursuit of resources and territorial expansion.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Age of Exploration on global trade patterns and cultural exchanges.
  • The Age of Exploration had profound long-term effects on global trade patterns and cultural exchanges. The establishment of overseas colonies laid the groundwork for a global economy characterized by mercantilism. This interconnectedness fostered cultural exchanges, as goods, ideas, and people moved between continents. However, it also led to exploitation and significant changes in indigenous populations due to disease and colonization. Ultimately, this era set the stage for a new world order shaped by European dominance and global interactions that persist today.

Related terms

Caravel: A small, highly maneuverable ship developed in the 15th century that played a key role in the early days of European exploration.

Treaty of Tordesillas:

An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian.

Mercantilism:

An economic theory prevalent in the 16th to 18th centuries that emphasized the role of the state in managing international trade and accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade.