The Age of Exploration: Discovering New Worlds

The Age of Exploration

Discovering New Worlds

The Age of Exploration

During the Age of Exploration, explorers embarked on voyages to discover new worlds. Motivated by wealth, the spread of Christianity, and advancements in technology like cartography and the astrolabe, explorers sought trade routes to the Spice Islands and other valuable resources. This era witnessed significant events such as Christopher Columbus reaching America in 1492, Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel in 1508, Cortés conquering the Aztec Empire in 1521, and Martin Luther initiating the Protestant Reformation.

Multiple Choice

What motivated explorers during the Age of Exploration?

• Wealth

• Spread of Christianity

• Advancements in technology

• All of the above

All of the above

• Wealth: Explorers sought riches and resources from new lands.
• Spread of Christianity: Explorers aimed to convert indigenous populations to Christianity.
• Advancements in technology: New tools and ships allowed for longer and safer voyages.

The Age of Exploration

• Henry the Navigator: Founded a navigation school and invested in exploration.
• Vasco da Gama: Sailed around Africa to India in 1498, proving ships could reach Asia by sailing around Africa.
• Bartolomeu Dias: Discovered the southern tip of Africa in 1488.
• Columbus: Reached America in 1492.
• Michelangelo: Began painting the Sistine Chapel in 1508.
• Galileo: Stood trial for his ideas in 1633.
• Cortés: Conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521.
• Martin Luther: Began the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
• Vasco da Gama: Sailed to Calicut, India in 1497, trading for valuable spices, silks, and gems.

Multiple Choice

Who sailed to Calicut, India in 1497, trading for valuable spices, silks, and gems?

• Henry the Navigator

• Vasco da Gama

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Columbus

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama sailed to Calicut, India in 1497, opening up a lucrative trade route for valuable spices, silks, and gems. His voyage marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in the Indian Ocean. His successful journey paved the way for future expeditions and established Portugal as a major maritime power.

Trivia:

• Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea.
• His voyage was sponsored by the Portuguese king, Manuel I.
• The journey took almost a year, with many hardships and challenges along the way.

The Age of Exploration

• 1492: Columbus reaches America
• 1497: Vasco da Gama sails to Calicut, India, trading for valuable spices, silks, & gems
• 1498: Vasco da Gama sails around Africa to India
• 1517: Martin Luther begins the Protestant Reformation
• 1521: Cortés conquers the Aztec Empire
• 1508: Michelangelo begins painting the Sistine Chapel
• 1633: Galileo stands trial for his ideas

Multiple Choice

Which event in the passage marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation?

• 1492: Columbus reaches America

• 1497: Vasco da Gama sails to Calicut, India, trading for valuable spices, silks, & gems

• 1498: Vasco da Gama sails around Africa to India

• 1517: Martin Luther begins the Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

Trivia: In 1517, Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. This movement led to the establishment of Protestant denominations and significant religious and social changes in Europe. Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, criticizing the sale of indulgences, is considered the catalyst for this transformative event.

The Age of Exploration

• King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain funded Christopher Columbus
• Landed in the Caribbean Islands (1492)
• Spain's Conquests
• Line of Demarcation - Gave Spain rights to any lands west of the line & Portugal rights to the east of the line
• Treaty of Tordesillas - Treaty creating the Line of Demarcation
• Amerigo Vespucci claimed Columbus had discovered a 'New World.' Thus - America (1507)

Multiple Choice

Who funded Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Caribbean Islands in 1492?

• King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain

• Amerigo Vespucci

• Portugal

• The Line of Demarcation

Christopher Columbus Funding

Trivia: The voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Caribbean Islands in 1492 was funded by King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain. This historic journey marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Columbus's expedition aimed to find a new trade route to Asia, but instead, he discovered the New World.