How did new ideas of the Renaissance influence the Age of Exploration?
The Renaissance focus away from God and on to human potential and achievements will help inspire curiosity of the outside world. Seeking fame and fortune.
What new technologies enabled the Europeans to explore beyond the Medditerranean and Baltic Seas? Where did these come from and what did these new instruments allow sailor to do?
Technologies like the compass (North) come from China, triangular sails on the caravel (travel in open sea) come from the Muslim and Chinese worlds of the Indian Ocean trade. The astrolabe from Arabia (establishes latitude lines).
What were the motivating factors for European exploration? What was the ultimate goal?
Gold, God and Glory. Looking for alternate routes to India and China to increase trade. The Catholic Church needed to regain converts during the Reformation. The desire to become famous and a part of history is a new value during the Renaissance.
Which country was the first to embark into the Atlantic, who was responsible for facilitating (leading) this move and where were the first areas explored?
Prince Henry "the Navigator" of Portugal invested (patron) in Navigational schools. West Africa and the Southern tip explored by Dias by 1488. Da Gama reaches India in 1497.
What is the significance of Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartholomew Dias, and Vasco da Gamma?
Prince Henry "the Navigator" of Portugal invested (patron) in Navigational schools. West Africa and the Southern tip explored by Dias by 1488. Da Gama reaches India in 1497.
What is the real significance of Christopher Columbus's voyage?
Columbus did not discover America but he did alert Europe to a New World which led to the colonization of the Americas by the Europeans.
What treaty signed by Pope Alexander VI prevented war between Spain and Portugal? Who benefited most and why
Pope Alexander VI created the Treaty of Tordesillas to prevent war between Spain and Portugal. At the time of this treaty the world was unaware of how much land lay to the west of the Line of Demarcation. Spain benefits most as Portugal is only to claim p
What European countries were able to challenge Portugal's dominance in the Indian Ocean?
The Netherlands were the first to challenge Portugal in the Spice Islands, then France and ultimately England.
Who are the two most prolific conquistadors in the New World and who did they conquer?
Cortez conquered the Aztecs and Pizarro conquered the Incas for Spain
Describe the Encomienda System.
Encomienda is a forced labor system placed on Native Americans. This system was brutal and natives were dying in great numbers from overwork and disease (smallpox). Natives were also forced to convert to Christianity.
Why did Spain move to enslave Africans and who was influential in that decision?
The treatment of the Native Americans under the Encomienda provoked Jesuit missionaries to speak out against the practice. In a hypocritical move, Jesuit missionary Bartolome de Las Casas suggests Spain switch to African slave labor. Africans are immune t
What were the main economic goals for Spain and what kind of governmental/social system was created?
The main economic goals for Spain was to extract as much gold and silver as possible. The Catholic Church also sought to expand Christianity in the Americas. Spain set up a traditional social/political model as in Europe. The social hierarchy was to be es
Why did France, England and the Netherlands explore N. America? When settled, what were their motivations and how did they relate to Native Americans?
Rumors of a potential Northwest Passage inspired the Netherlands and the French to travel to North America. Both will engage in trade relations with Native Americans establishing colonies along Canada and the Mississippi River. England sought permanent se
What is the significance of the French and Indian War?
The French and Native Americans attempted to remove English dominance from North America. England defeats France becoming the dominant force and solidifying permanent settlements.
Describe the Triangular Trade.
Manufactured goods from Europe such as guns and rum to Africa for slaves. Slaves travel the horrific Middle Passage to work on plantations in the Americas. Raw materials from the Americas to Europe to be manufactured into finished goods, repeat.
Describe the Middle Passage.
Africans are "tight packed" on to slave ships for a six week journey to the Americas. Horrific conditions and disease lead to 20% of slaves perishing on the route.
List differences between the African Slave Trade and the Atlantic Slave Trade.
African: longer time with fewer slaves traded, mostly POWs, criminals and females,
Domestic servitude and is often temporary.
Atlantic: shorter and more intense and far more brutal and dehumanizing. Mostly men for plantation labor, permanent, lasting raci
What is the Columbian Exchange? (not a trade route) What are the long term consequences?
Global transfer of plants, food, animals, technology, people, culture, disease bringing the Eastern and Western hemispheres together for the first time. Long term consequences include more stable food supply, better diet and population explosion.
How did exploration change the world economy? What new economic system emerges? What happened to feudalism?
Exploration creates new opportunities for trade. This trade will transform European feudalism to capitalism. Wealth will be determined by gold and silver that can be reinvested into future profits. Mercantilism will be a new way for kings to acquire wealt
What role do joint-stock companies play in colonization?
Joint-stock companies reduce the risk of creating colonies. Investors pool money and share in the risk and reward of colonizing. Kings give permission to joint-stock companies and thereby collect a percentage of those profits.