Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration refers to a period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers sought new trade routes and territories through overseas exploration. This era marked significant advancements in navigation, technology, and cartography, leading to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of global trade networks that profoundly influenced the course of history and laid the groundwork for modern globalization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration was sparked by technological innovations like the compass, astrolabe, and improved ship designs such as caravels.
2. Key figures during this period include Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan, who all played significant roles in exploring new territories.
3. European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, established extensive maritime empires that led to the colonization of vast regions in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
4. The motivations for exploration included the search for new trade routes, the desire for wealth, spreading Christianity, and national prestige.
5. The impact of this era led to cultural exchanges as well as exploitation and colonization, significantly altering indigenous populations and their societies.

Review Questions

• How did technological advancements contribute to the Age of Exploration and its outcomes?
  • Technological advancements such as the development of more accurate navigation tools like the astrolabe and improvements in ship design allowed explorers to navigate uncharted waters more effectively. These innovations enabled European powers to embark on longer voyages, leading to discoveries of new lands and sea routes. The consequences of these advancements were profound, resulting in expanded trade networks, cultural exchanges, and often the exploitation of indigenous peoples.
• Discuss how mercantilism shaped European policies during the Age of Exploration.
  • Mercantilism significantly influenced European policies during the Age of Exploration by driving nations to accumulate wealth through trade. Governments encouraged exploration to secure valuable resources from newly discovered lands, which were viewed as essential for national prosperity. This economic theory led to fierce competition among European powers for colonies and trade dominance, shaping international relations and economic policies that still have implications today.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Age of Exploration on globalization and world economies.
  • The Age of Exploration set in motion a series of events that had lasting effects on globalization and world economies. The establishment of global trade routes created a framework for interconnectedness between continents, facilitating not only the exchange of goods but also cultures and ideas. This period laid the foundation for modern economic systems based on global trade, colonization practices that exploited resources and populations, and the integration of diverse societies into a world economy that continues to evolve.

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.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasizes the role of government in managing trade and accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade.

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 powers along a meridian line.