Early Voyages of Discovery Learning Target 7.58 Learning Target 7.73

Learning Target 7.73 I can identify the voyages of discovery, the locations of the routes, and the influence of technology in the developments of a new European worldview, including cartography, compass, caravel, and astrolabe. See also page 7.58.

Learning Target 7.73 Divide BOTH sides of the page as shown. On BOTH sides, label boxes as shown. On the FRONT, explain 3 ways each development influenced exploration and Europeans’ views of the world. Provide details! On the BACK, draw an accurate picture for each piece of technology (pages 323 and 325 may be helpful). Cartography Compass Caravel Astrolabe

Astrolabe Europeans learned about the astrolabe from the Arabs, but it was actually an ancient Greek instrument that was used to find latitude. It was used in navigation to help explorers and sailors figure out where they were by using the positions of the stars or sun. They found the distance north and south of the equator by measuring the distance of the sun and stars above the horizon. It had discs with star maps and coordinate lines that rotated around a pin. The pin was in the position of the North Star. Astrolabes were made of brass or iron.

Astrolabe The astrolabe helped sailors find their locations based on the position of the stars and sun. They could find their latitude by measuring the how far above the horizon the sun or stars were located. The locator pin was in the position of the North Star.

Astrolabe

Compass The most commonly used navigational tool was the magnetic compass. This device was invented in China and came to Europe via the Silk Road traders. Sailors used the compass to help determine the direction in which they were sailing. It is an incredibly simple tool, consisting of a magnetized needle which points to the north. Once the sailors knew where north was they were able to find other directions. The introduction of the compass rose to the design of the compass made this even easier. A north-finding rock capable of magnetizing a compass needle was also used. On a long exploration the sea-captain would always keep a lodestone to remagnetize their compass, which would lose its strength over time.

Compass The compass had a magnetic needle that always pointed north (because of the Earth’s magnetic pull) towards the North Pole. If explorers knew which direction was north, they could figure out all the others. Explorers added a compass rose that made the compass easier to read.

Compass

Caravel European craftworkers developed new oceangoing ships. They modified a ship called a caravel, a small, narrow vessel with two or three masts and triangular sails. It was fast and easier to maneuver in different wind and sea conditions. It could sail in both deep and more shallow waters. The caravels were up to about 65 feet long and could carry roughly 130 tons of cargo. They were developed by the Portuguese, who used them to first explore the west coast of Africa and later, sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Two of Christopher Columbus’ ships were caravels.

Caravel The ship had triangular-shaped sails that helped it sail better. Caravels were faster and lighter than other types of ships so they could go further distances. Caravels could carry more cargo.

Caravel

Cartography Cartography is the process or skill of making maps. European mapmakers improved their skills of making maps during the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, and the Age of Exploration. They rediscovered the works of Ptolemy, a Greek geographer. Ptolemy had drawn maps of the world for his book, Geography. He recorded the latitude and longitude of over 8,000 locations. With the invention of the printing press, accurate maps became readily available to sailors and explorers. European mapmakers also learned about the Indian Ocean by studying the works of the Arab geographer al-Idrisi. Many Europeans concluded that sailing around Africa was the best way to get to Asia.

Cartography Cartography is the process of making maps. Explorers improved existing maps. Explorers studied a map book that had the latitude and longitude of over 8,000 locations. Explorers also studied a map showing the Indian Ocean and decided the best way to Asia was to sail around Africa.

Cartography Map by Ptolemy Map by al-Idrisi