Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration refers to the period from the 15th to the 17th century when European powers expanded their territories and influence through overseas exploration and colonization. This era was marked by significant advancements in navigation, shipbuilding, and the desire for trade, which transformed global interactions and economies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. European nations like Spain and Portugal were the pioneers of exploration, driven by the search for new trade routes and wealth.
2. The Age of Exploration led to the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492, opening a new world for European powers.
3. Technological innovations such as the magnetic compass and astrolabe greatly improved navigation during this period.
4. The establishment of maritime empires changed global trade patterns, connecting Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
5. Resistance from indigenous populations often occurred as Europeans sought to colonize and exploit new territories, leading to conflicts and significant cultural impacts.

Review Questions

• How did technological advancements contribute to the success of European explorers during the Age of Exploration?
  • Technological advancements such as the development of the caravel, which was fast and could sail against the wind, along with tools like the astrolabe for navigation, significantly aided European explorers. These innovations allowed them to travel further into unknown waters and make more accurate maps. As a result, explorers like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan were able to establish new sea routes that were crucial for trade and expansion.
• Evaluate the impact of the Age of Exploration on indigenous populations in newly discovered lands.
  • The Age of Exploration had profound effects on indigenous populations. The arrival of Europeans often led to violent confrontations, displacement, and exploitation. Diseases brought by Europeans devastated native populations who had no immunity. Additionally, European colonization disrupted traditional ways of life, leading to significant cultural changes and sometimes resulting in the loss of sovereignty for many indigenous groups.
• Analyze how the Age of Exploration set the stage for economic imperialism in the following centuries.
  • The Age of Exploration laid the groundwork for economic imperialism by establishing trade networks that connected Europe with Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The desire for resources fueled colonial expansion as European powers sought to control lucrative commodities like sugar, tobacco, and spices. This shift towards exploiting foreign lands and resources created a new global economy centered around European powers, setting a precedent for later forms of imperialism that would dominate in the 19th century.

Related terms

Colonialism:

The practice of acquiring and maintaining control over foreign territories, often through settlement and exploitation of resources.

Mercantilism:

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and establishing a favorable balance of trade, often leading to colonial expansion.

Caravel:

A small, highly maneuverable ship developed in the 15th century that allowed for long-distance sea travel, playing a crucial role in exploration.