Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration was a period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century characterized by European nations exploring and colonizing vast territories across the globe. This era marked significant advancements in navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography, leading to the establishment of trade routes and the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas between Europe and other parts of the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration began in the late 15th century with the voyages of explorers like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan.
2. European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, sought new trade routes to Asia for spices and luxury goods, which fueled competition and conflict.
3. Advancements in navigation technology, such as the astrolabe and magnetic compass, played a crucial role in enabling long sea voyages during this era.
4. The discovery of the Americas led to the establishment of European colonies that exploited indigenous populations and resources for profit.
5. This period laid the groundwork for global trade networks that would profoundly impact economies and cultures worldwide for centuries to come.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in navigation technology influence European exploration during the Age of Exploration?
  • Advancements in navigation technology were pivotal for European exploration in the Age of Exploration. Tools like the astrolabe allowed sailors to determine their latitude at sea, while the magnetic compass provided a reliable means of direction. These innovations enabled explorers to undertake longer and more ambitious voyages, facilitating discoveries of new lands and trade routes that had profound impacts on global commerce and interaction.
• Discuss the impact of the Columbian Exchange on both Europe and the Americas as a result of explorations during this period.
  • The Columbian Exchange had a transformative impact on both Europe and the Americas following explorations in the Age of Exploration. In Europe, it introduced new crops like potatoes and maize, which enhanced diets and led to population growth. Conversely, the Americas experienced significant demographic changes due to disease brought by Europeans, leading to sharp declines in indigenous populations. The exchange also fostered cultural interactions that reshaped societies on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Evaluate how mercantilism shaped European imperial policies during the Age of Exploration and its long-term effects on global trade.
  • Mercantilism significantly influenced European imperial policies during the Age of Exploration by promoting the establishment of colonies for resource extraction and trade control. This economic theory encouraged nations to seek new territories to enhance wealth through favorable trade balances. In the long term, these policies contributed to a global economy where colonial powers dominated trade networks, leading to increased competition among nations and laying foundational practices for modern capitalism.

Related terms

Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through trade, establishing colonies, and maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

Voyages of Discovery: Expeditions undertaken by explorers during the Age of Exploration to find new trade routes, lands, and resources, leading to the mapping of previously unknown territories.