AGE OF EXPLORATION

Mr. McCaskill

What took people so long to explore?

SEA MONSTERS!!

The power of the ocean

The Oceans were and have always

been a mystery to human beings.

Because of this, many civilizations
lived isolated from the rest of the
world.
For example, civilizations in the
Americas were advanced yet had
not been seen by Europeans
because of the ocean.

Age of Discovery
New experiments of the

Renaissance and Enlightenment led

to new technologys to help
explore the world
Better Ships
Magnetic Compass
Better understanding of

weather/water
Better mapmaking
A new sense of adventure

Age of Discovery
Individuals set out to explore new

trade routes
Make themselves rich

Europe began doing expeditions for

money.
Other factors as well, but mainly

because of this!
Monarchs (Kings and Queens) wanted to

get in on the action as well

Began sponsoring expeditions

Key Explorers
Henry the Navigator (Portugal) (1394-

1460)
Not really a navigator. More so just an explorer
Became interested in trade with Africa
Sent ships down the coast to explore
Colonized the Azores
First built caravels
Smaller, lighter ships that could travel on the ocean

Key Explorers
Vasco da Gama (Portugal) (1460-1524)
Sailed around the continent of Africa
First to sail directly from Europe to India
Established lucrative trade routes that made

himself and Portugal very rich

Seen as just as significant as Neil Armstrong at
his time
Helped colonize parts of Africa and India

Key Explorers
Ferdinand Magellan (Spain kind of)
Tried to find a Western Route to the Spice

Islands
First European to see the Philippines
Died in a battle in the Philippines
His crew was first to circumnavigate the
earth
Navigate all the way around the world

Discovered how big the world was

Key Explorers
All of these guys (with the exception of

Magellan) gave way to Christopher

Columbus (Spain) (1451-1506).
Columbus was important when it came to
exploration yet his legacy will forever be
debated!
He was not a bad navigator.
Columbus overestimated the size of Asia and

underestimated the size of the oceans.

However, he was one of the first of his time
to explore these waters.

He thought he was here

He actually was here

VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF_unlvjccA

The Impact of Columbus

Columbus called the Indians that because

he thought he was in West Indonesia.

He planned on bringing the king of Spain
spices and riches.
He failed at bringing back both

Spain later became the most powerful

country in Europe because of Columbus

expeditions.
Because of this, we can speak of a truly
WORLD HISTORY!!