1. The Age of Expansion
The illustration looks like a pirate. Is this an accurate depiction of European explorers?
SS6H6: The student will analyze the impact of European exploration and colonization on various world regions.

2. Enduring Understanding
Learning Objective a. Identify the causes of European exploration and colonization; include religion, natural resources, a market for goods, and the contributions of Prince Henry the Navigator
Enduring Understanding
Movement/Migration: movement and migration of people and ideas affect all societies involved
Essential Question:
- What factors, including the contributions of Prince
Henry the Navigator, influenced European nations to
begin overseas exploration?

3. The Reasons for European Expansion.
The Three Gs (GGG):
GOLD – Rumors of gold beyond their wildest dreams made men believe they could get rich quickly.
GOD - Some went believing that they must bring their religious beliefs to the people of foreign lands and that God would reward them for it. Religion was very important, and many explorers left their own country to spread their religion to new lands.
GLORY – Explorers knew that if they could find land they could became rich lords instead of poor sailors. They could become celebrities.
P/the-three-gs-god-gold-and-glory

4. The World Prior to European Expansion.
Afro-Eurasia Trade and Commerce CE
The Silk Roads stretched from East Asia to India, the Middle East, and Africa. Merchants and scholars exchanged gold, jewelry, silks, spices, porcelain, art, literature, slaves, ideas, religion, and culture along these trade routes.

5. The World Prior to European Expansion.
Afro-Eurasion Trade and Commerce
Western Europeans were excluded from these trade routes. With the exception of Italian merchants, Muslim traders blocked western Europeans from participating in the commerce along the silk roads.

6. The World Prior to European Expansion.
The Rise of Islam 750 CE
As the Roman Empire fell, Islam began to grow rapidly. Being rooted in Judaism and Christianity, practicing Christians and Jews were easily converted to Islam. This threatened the power of the Church. Christian leaders saw this as an affront to their religious authority.

7. The World Prior to European Expansion.
The Christian Crusades
Christians responded by launching a series of Crusades to remove all Muslims from Christian Europe and push the influence of Islam back into Africa and the Middle East. They were successful in driving the Moors from Iberia (Spain).

8. The World Prior to European Expansion.
Conclusion:
There were many reasons why Europeans were determined to explore the world starting in the 1400s. Some of the reasons include: To find a sea route to Asia – During the Dark Ages Europeans faced great suffering. The standard of living was very low. Europeans suffered from famines and deadly diseases. Meanwhile, there was great wealth in Asia. The silk roads were bustling with trade and commerce. Blocked by Italian and Muslim merchants, explorers knew that if they found a sea route to Asia they would be rich and famous. To find Gold, Silver, and Precious stones – While on the crusades, Europeans were amazed by the treasures they saw in the Middle East and Asia. They wanted a piece of the pie.
To expand the Christian religion – The influence of Islam was growing rapidly across Europe and other parts of the world. European Christians saw this as a threat and were determined to stop the spread of Islam and expand the influence of Christianity.