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 seeking new trade routes and territories across the globe. This era marked significant advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, leading to increased contact between Europe and the Americas, Asia, and Africa, and ultimately transforming global trade and culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration began with major voyages by figures like Christopher Columbus in 1492 and Vasco da Gama in 1498, which opened up new trade routes.
2. European countries, particularly Spain and Portugal, established vast empires in the Americas and parts of Asia and Africa during this time.
3. The period was fueled by technological innovations such as the magnetic compass and astrolabe, which improved navigation at sea.
4. Explorers often claimed lands for their monarchs, leading to the establishment of colonies that exploited local resources and populations.
5. The consequences of the Age of Exploration included cultural exchanges as well as conflicts over land and resources, shaping global relations for centuries.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in navigation technology contribute to the Age of Exploration?
  • Advancements in navigation technology were crucial to the Age of Exploration. Innovations such as the magnetic compass and astrolabe allowed explorers to determine their direction and latitude more accurately. These tools made long ocean voyages feasible for European explorers, enabling them to travel farther than ever before and discover new lands. As a result, European nations were able to expand their trade networks significantly.
• Discuss the role of mercantilism during the Age of Exploration and how it influenced colonial expansion.
  • Mercantilism played a significant role during the Age of Exploration by promoting the idea that a nation's strength depended on its wealth. This economic theory encouraged European powers to establish colonies in newly discovered lands to extract resources and create markets for their goods. The desire for gold and silver led to fierce competition among nations, ultimately driving colonization efforts in the Americas, Asia, and Africa as they sought to enhance their wealth and power.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Age of Exploration on global trade patterns and cultural exchanges.
  • The Age of Exploration had profound long-term impacts on global trade patterns and cultural exchanges. It established new trade routes that facilitated the exchange of goods like sugar, tobacco, and spices between continents. The Columbian Exchange transformed diets worldwide by introducing new crops. However, these exchanges also brought about significant negative consequences such as colonization, exploitation of indigenous peoples, and the spread of diseases that decimated populations. Ultimately, this era laid the groundwork for modern globalization.

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 importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, to increase a nation's power, often linked to colonial expansion.

Cartography: The art and science of map-making, which saw significant advancements during this period, aiding explorers in their quests for new territories.