Age of Discovery

Definition

The Age of Discovery refers to the period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers explored and established contact with new territories across the globe. This era was driven by a quest for new trade routes, the spread of Christianity, and a desire for territorial expansion, significantly impacting global trade networks and cultural exchanges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Discovery was marked by significant maritime advancements, including improvements in navigation tools like the compass and astrolabe.
2. European powers such as Spain and Portugal were the leading explorers during this time, with figures like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan making landmark voyages.
3. The search for new trade routes to Asia for spices and silks motivated much of the exploration, leading to European dominance in global trade.
4. The era also saw the establishment of colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, leading to significant cultural exchanges and often devastating impacts on indigenous populations.
5. The Age of Discovery paved the way for the global exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, which became known as the Columbian Exchange.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in navigation technology influence the explorations during the Age of Discovery?
  • Advancements in navigation technology played a critical role in facilitating explorations during the Age of Discovery. Tools such as the compass and astrolabe allowed sailors to determine their position at sea more accurately, leading to safer and more ambitious voyages. These innovations enabled explorers like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan to embark on long-distance journeys that connected Europe with Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• Evaluate the impact of European colonization on indigenous populations during the Age of Discovery.
  • European colonization during the Age of Discovery had profound impacts on indigenous populations. The establishment of colonies often resulted in violent conquests, displacement, and significant demographic changes due to disease brought by Europeans. Many indigenous cultures were disrupted or destroyed as Europeans imposed their own social structures, economies, and religious beliefs, leading to lasting effects on those communities.
• Assess how mercantilism shaped European policies during the Age of Discovery and its consequences for global trade.
  • Mercantilism significantly influenced European policies during the Age of Discovery by promoting state control over economic activity to increase national wealth through trade. This economic theory led countries like Spain and Portugal to establish colonies rich in resources that could be exploited for profit. The consequences included increased competition among European powers for territory and resources, which reshaped global trade networks and initiated an era of imperialism that would have lasting implications for international relations.

Related terms

Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, beginning in 1492, opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Treaty of Tordesillas: An agreement between Spain and Portugal, brokered by the Pope in 1494, that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian.

Mercantilism: An economic theory prevalent during the Age of Discovery that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through trade, colonization, and maintaining a favorable balance of trade.