Causes of the Age of Exploration

Cross Cultural Interactions during the time period 1200-1450 were critical to launching the Age of Exploration during 1450-1750 because

• Europeans were able to convert local Native American societies to gain access to their vast lumber resources

• Europeans were able to diminish Mongol control of critical Indian Ocean trading lanes

• Europeans were able to incorporate Islamic and Chinese maritime technologies into their own societies

• Europeans were able to create religious unity in Europe by adopting the 95 Theses in every kingdom

Which of the following is NOT an example of European cross cultural interactions with the Islamic or Chinese worlds during the period 1200-1450?

• Pax Mongolica

• Columbus' discovery of the Americas

• The Crusades

• The Reconquista

Before being incorporated by European explorers, the magnetic compass was first invented in

• Spain

• China

• Baghdad

• France

One of the major benefits of the magnetic compass to European explorers was that it provided

• A means by which to use astronomical patterns to tell latitude

• An attachment on the end of the boat which made shallow water navigation easier

• A more effective sail which allowed sailors to catch wind easier

• Sailors way to tell cardinal directions in the open water

Lateen sails were 90 degree sails which made it easier to catch wind while sailing. Europeans adopted this technology from

• British steamships

• Aztec canoes

• Arab Dhow ships on the Indian Ocean

• The Chinese

Astrolabes were very valuable because they gave navigators

• A means to tell cardinal directions

• A means to determine latitude coordinates

• A means to navigate shallow waters

• A more effective sail in catching wind quickly and efficiently

Large Portuguese ships which incorporated lateen and square sails designed to support large expeditions were called

• Caravels

• Galleons

• Fluyts

• Steamships

Which of these helped drive European interest in finding a new sea route to Asia?

• Marco Polo's journals of his travels from China inspired many Europeans to look for new routes to acquire goods

• The Crusades resulted in increased European exposure to luxury items from the east

• The Ottoman Empire after taking Constantinople blocked Europe's access to the Silk Road, resulting in higher prices on luxury items

• All of the above

Humanism helped cause the Age of Exploration in all of the following ways except

• Promoted learning secular subjects like mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and history

• Encouraged the value of humans in shaping their environment

• Renewed religious zeal to overthrown pagan religions in Eurasia

• provided interest in the broader world instead of Catholic dominated Europe

Which Islamic Empire blocked Europe's direct access to the Silk Road, causing many countries to look to the Atlantic as a means to finding new routes to Asia?

• Mughal

• Ottoman

• Qing

• Aztec