The Causes of European Colonization

Front

What spices were Europeans interested in from Asia?

Back

Ginger, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Sugar, Nutmeg, and black peppercorn.

Front

Why did Europeans want a direct maritime route to Southeast Asia?

Back

To access Asian spices directly and avoid middlemen.

Front

How did Europeans use colonies in their maritime routes?

Back

As stopgaps along the way to Southeast Asia.

Front

What was the European attitude towards the Ottomans after 1453?

Back

Most Europeans, apart from Italian City States, refused business with the Ottomans and wanted to cut them out of trade.

Front

Why were Asian spices expensive in Europe?

Back

Due to the various middlemen involved in the trade route from Asia to Europe.

Front

How did the Catholic Church view maritime voyages?

Back

As opportunities to recoup numbers lost from the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance.

Front

What is mercantilism in the context of European colonies?

Back

The transformation of colonies from trade route stopgaps to sources of revenue through exploiting natural resources, colonists, and slaves.

Front

What is a Caravel?

Back

A ship developed in the 1400s by the Portuguese that balanced speed and carrying capacity.

Front

Where was the compass first invented and how was it modified?

Back

First invented in Han Dynasty China and modified for use on ships in the late 1200s.

Front

What is an astrolabe and who invented it?

Back

An instrument invented by Arab scholars in the 600s to determine latitude and time of day by sighting a star.