Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration, spanning from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, was a period marked by European global exploration, driven by the desire for new trade routes, wealth, and territorial expansion. This era led to significant encounters between Europeans and the Americas, resulting in profound cultural exchanges and dramatic changes in global trade dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492 is often considered the starting point of the Age of Exploration, as it opened up the Americas to European exploration and colonization.
2. European powers like Spain, Portugal, France, and England competed fiercely for dominance in trade and territory during this period.
3. The quest for gold and silver was a primary motivator behind many explorations, leading to the exploitation of resources in newly discovered lands.
4. Exploration led to significant advancements in navigation and shipbuilding technologies, including the development of the caravel, which enabled longer sea voyages.
5. The Age of Exploration had lasting impacts on indigenous populations through colonization, leading to cultural exchanges as well as devastating consequences like disease and displacement.

Review Questions

• How did technological advancements influence the Age of Exploration and what were some key innovations during this period?
  • Technological advancements played a crucial role in enabling the Age of Exploration by improving navigation and shipbuilding. Key innovations included the magnetic compass, astrolabe, and the development of faster ships like the caravel. These tools allowed sailors to venture further into uncharted waters with greater accuracy and safety, thus facilitating long-distance voyages that connected Europe with new territories.
• Discuss how the Age of Exploration resulted in economic changes in Europe and across the globe.
  • The Age of Exploration led to significant economic changes by opening up new trade routes and markets for European powers. The influx of wealth from colonies, particularly gold and silver from the Americas, fueled European economies and contributed to the rise of mercantilism. This shift in trade dynamics established Europe as a central hub in global commerce while also creating dependencies on colonial resources from around the world.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Age of Exploration on both Europe and indigenous populations in the Americas.
  • The long-term consequences of the Age of Exploration were profound for both Europe and indigenous populations. For Europe, it resulted in increased wealth, power, and global influence but also led to intense rivalries among European nations. Indigenous populations faced devastating impacts, including displacement from their lands, exposure to new diseases with high mortality rates, and significant cultural changes due to colonization. The legacy of this period continues to influence global relations and cultural identities today.

Related terms

Columbian Exchange:

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

Treaty of Tordesillas:

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

Mercantilism:

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth through trade, which shaped European policies during the Age of Exploration.