Exploring European Exploration of the Americas

The Age of Exploration in the mid to late 15th century saw Europeans, led by the Spanish and Portuguese, venture into the New World. Motivated by adventure, religious zeal, and the pursuit of wealth, explorers like Columbus sought new trade routes and riches. This era, marked by the Columbian Exchange, brought both positive exchanges and negative consequences, such as disease and exploitation, to the Americas.

Which countries were the initial leaders in the Age of Exploration?

• Italy and Germany

• Netherlands and Belgium

• France and Britain

• Spain and Portugal

What era overlapped with the Age of Exploration, influencing the spirit of adventure?

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Middle Ages

• The Renaissance

• The Enlightenment

Who was known as Henry the Navigator?

• Vasco da Gama

• Christopher Columbus

• Prince Henry of Portugal

• Ferdinand Magellan

What was one of the religious motivations for European exploration?

• To map the world

• To discover new spices

• To spread Christianity

• To find new trade routes

Which explorer's journals emphasized the desire to spread Christianity?

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Vasco da Gama

• Christopher Columbus

• John Cabot

What was a major economic motivation for European exploration?

• Finding new allies

• Discovering new lands

• Mapping the stars

• Acquiring wealth through gold and spices

Which explorer mistakenly thought he had found a faster route to the Far East?

• John Cabot

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Hernando de Soto

• Christopher Columbus

What was the Columbian Exchange?

• A trade agreement between Europe and Asia

• A series of battles between European explorers and native populations

• The exchange of goods, crops, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds

• A navigation school founded by Prince Henry

Which crops were introduced to Europe from the New World?

• Coffee and tea

• Maize, potatoes, and tomatoes

• Rice and sugarcane

• Wheat and barley

What negative impact did the Columbian Exchange have on the New World?

• Establishment of new trade routes

• Introduction of new livestock

• Spread of infectious diseases

• Introduction of new crops