Age of Discovery

Definition

The Age of Discovery was a period from the 15th to the 17th century when European powers explored and mapped the world, seeking new trade routes and territories. This era is significant for its impact on global trade, culture, and the establishment of colonies. The exploration during this time laid the groundwork for the subsequent European colonization of the Americas, which is vividly illustrated in Hernán Cortés's accounts of his conquest of the Aztec Empire.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Discovery was driven by advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, allowing explorers to venture further than ever before.
2. Hernán Cortés's second letter to Charles V highlights not only his conquests but also his fascination with the wealth and culture of the Aztecs, showcasing the motives behind exploration.
3. The encounters during this period often led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Europe and the newly discovered lands, known as the Columbian Exchange.
4. This era saw the rise of powerful European nations like Spain and Portugal, which became dominant players in global trade and colonization.
5. The consequences of the Age of Discovery included significant demographic changes due to disease, warfare, and colonization, which drastically affected indigenous populations.

Review Questions

• How did technological advancements contribute to the Age of Discovery, and what specific impacts did they have on exploration?
  • Technological advancements such as the magnetic compass, astrolabe, and improved ship designs like the caravel greatly enhanced navigation during the Age of Discovery. These innovations allowed sailors to travel farther and more accurately than ever before, opening up new routes across oceans. As a result, explorers could map previously unknown territories, leading to significant discoveries that changed global trade patterns and initiated contact between Europe and diverse cultures.
• Discuss the motivations behind Hernán Cortés's expeditions during the Age of Discovery and how they reflect broader trends in European exploration.
  • Cortés's expeditions were driven by a mix of personal ambition, desire for wealth, and a commitment to spreading Christianity. His accounts reveal how European explorers were often motivated by the promise of gold and glory while also feeling a religious duty to convert indigenous peoples. This dual motivation exemplifies a larger trend among European nations at the time, where commercial interests often intertwined with imperialistic aspirations during their explorations.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Age of Discovery on global relations and indigenous societies, referencing specific examples from Hernán Cortés's experiences.
  • The Age of Discovery had profound long-term consequences on global relations and indigenous societies. For instance, Hernán Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire led to dramatic shifts in power dynamics in Mesoamerica. The introduction of European diseases decimated indigenous populations, while Spanish colonization altered social structures and economies. This period marked the beginning of extensive European influence over vast territories, establishing patterns of exploitation that would shape international relations for centuries to come.

Related terms

Exploration: The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it, often motivated by the desire to discover new lands or resources.

Colonization: The process of establishing control over a foreign territory and its people, often involving settlement and exploitation of resources.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing international trade and accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of exports over imports.