Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, refers to the period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers began extensive overseas exploration. This era was marked by significant maritime advancements and the quest for new trade routes, leading to the discovery of new lands and cultures, which fundamentally changed the world's economic and social dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration was significantly driven by advancements in navigation technology, such as the compass and astrolabe, which allowed sailors to travel further and more accurately than ever before.
2. Notable explorers from this era include Christopher Columbus, who made his famous voyage in 1492, Vasco da Gama, who found a sea route to India, and Ferdinand Magellan, who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
3. The period led to the establishment of vast empires by European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, who exploited the resources of colonized lands and spread their cultures worldwide.
4. The encounters between Europeans and indigenous peoples often resulted in devastating consequences for native populations, including disease, conquest, and cultural assimilation.
5. The Age of Exploration played a critical role in creating a global economy by linking previously isolated continents through trade networks, impacting commerce, agriculture, and culture across the world.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in navigation technology contribute to the successes of explorers during the Age of Exploration?
  • Advancements in navigation technology were crucial for the success of explorers during the Age of Exploration. Tools such as the compass and astrolabe allowed sailors to determine their position at sea and navigate more accurately. These innovations enabled explorers to venture further into uncharted waters with greater confidence, leading to significant discoveries and the establishment of new trade routes that reshaped global commerce.
• Evaluate the impact of European colonization on indigenous populations during the Age of Exploration.
  • European colonization had profound impacts on indigenous populations during the Age of Exploration. Many native communities faced devastating consequences due to introduced diseases, which decimated populations lacking immunity. Additionally, military conquests led to loss of land, cultural erasure, and forced assimilation into European ways of life. The establishment of colonial systems disrupted traditional societies and often resulted in violent conflicts over resources and power.
• Assess how the Treaty of Tordesillas influenced European colonial ambitions and shaped global interactions during the Age of Exploration.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas significantly influenced European colonial ambitions by dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal along a meridian line in the Atlantic Ocean. This agreement allowed both nations to claim territories without conflict over ownership, effectively shaping their colonial empires. The treaty established early frameworks for international relations regarding exploration and colonization, leading to increased competition among European powers. Consequently, it laid the groundwork for future global interactions as other nations sought to expand their influence and challenge Spanish and Portuguese dominance.

Related terms

Colonization: The process by which a country establishes control over a foreign territory, often involving the settlement of its people and exploitation of resources.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth through trade, especially through a favorable balance of exports over imports.

Treaty of Tordesillas: A 1494 agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two nations, shaping their colonial empires.