Home 3 Advances in Ship Design 4 Improved Navigation Tools 5 Online Resources 2 Reasons for Exploration 1 Introduction

 Europeans had traded with Asia for years.  They traded for rugs, silk, spices and gems. Next  Home  Back

Overland trade routes were long and dangerous. Travelers were often ambushed by bandits. Africa EuropeAsia Indian Ocean Pacific Ocean AtlanticOcean Next  Home  Back

 1453—The Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople and close the overland trade route to Asia. Next  Home  Back

 Circa 1450—Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal begins a School of Navigation for the teaching of navigation, astronomy, and cartography.  The school also researches new ship designs and new navigation tools.  Navigation—the science of figuring out the location and the course of a ship.  Astronomy—the study of the stars and planets  Cartography—the art and science of making maps  Circa—about  Navigation—the science of figuring out the location and the course of a ship.  Astronomy—the study of the stars and planets  Cartography—the art and science of making maps  Circa—about Next  Home  Back

Next  Home  Back

The Caravel  New ship design  More easily navigated strong headwinds and unfavorable currents.  Quickly made Portugal the leading maritime power. Maritime—relating to ocean trade Next  Home  Back

Compass Improvements made ships’ compasses more accurate. Astrolabe Astrolabe—helped sailors figure out their distance north or south of the equator (Latitude) Home

 BackNext 

Home

 Wanted to convert others to Christianity Catholics verses Protestants  Two Christian viewpoints  Catholic nations wanted to spread Catholic Christianity  Protestant nations wanted to spread Protestant Christianity

 Needed gold, silver and precious stones  To pay for wars with other European kingdoms  To make their countries stronger economically and politically

 The Adventure of Exploring New Places  Fueled by Popular Adventure Stories  Some explorers liked the thrill of conquering new territory.

The Need for Spices  No Refrigeration  Spices needed to preserve and add flavor to food  Very expensive Other Goods from Asia  Silk

Why Explorers Explored the World  The Age of Explorations—Chapter 19  19.pdf 19.pdf The Age of Exploration  Home