The Age of Exploration: Motives and Means

What were Europeans' motives for exploration in the mid-1400s?

• To gain direct access to spice-growing areas

• To capture the Holy Land from Muslims

• To find new fruits and vegetables

• To establish trade routes with Arab traders

Why did people want spices in Europe during this time?

• They were used as currency

• They made food taste better

• They were rare and difficult to obtain

• They were used for medicinal purposes

What developments enabled Europeans to travel farther?

• The discovery of new spices

• The shutdown of the Silk Road

• The invention of caravel ships

• The exploration of North and South America

What impact did the Crusades have on European exploration?

• They increased European curiosity about the world

• They led to the discovery of new spices

• They improved European shipbuilding techniques

• They established trade routes with the Middle East

Besides the magnetic compass, how did sailors navigate when they were out of sight of land?

• By using the magnetic compass

• By following the flight patterns of birds

• By measuring the height of the waves

• By observing the movement of the sun and stars

What navigational tools did ship pilots use to determine latitude?

• Astrolabe and sextant

• Magnetic compass and telescope

• Sand hourglass and log

• Clouds and floating objects

How did sailors measure the speed of their ships?

• By counting the knots on a rope

• By using a sand hourglass

• By observing the position of the sun

• By checking the ship's logbook

Besides observing the sky, what did European sailors rely on to determine direction?

• The movement of the sun

• The position of the moon

• The flight patterns of birds

• The magnetic compass

What did European sailors use to measure the passage of time?

• Astrolabe

• Sextant

• Sand hourglass

• Logbook

What information did sailors use to track a ship's position on the sea?

• Clouds and birds

• Sand hourglass and log

• Astrolabe and sextant

• Magnetic compass and telescope