Preview p.74 Suppose you were planning a long-distance sea voyage during the second half of the 15th century to little-known destinations along unknown routes: What problems with the environment would you expect to deal with? What problems of human-to-human relations would you expect to deal with on board and at your destinations? What preparations could you make to minimize the problems you expect? What personal characteristics would be most helpful in dealing with the problems?

Conquest of the Oceans p.75 Which two voyages are the most similar? Why? Which two voyages are the most different? Why? Compare the Portuguese voyages of 1415 to 1460 on the one hand with those of Columbus and da Gama between 1492 and 1502 on the other. What conditions and circumstances changed between these two periods? Consider differences in motives, leadership, financing, resources, and benefits? What reasons can explain the differences?

Conquest of the Oceans p.75 Did the thirty-year Chinese long-distance maritime expeditions of the 1400s leave a lasting influence in the Indian Ocean region? Explain. What kinds of influence did the thirty-year Iberian long-distance maritime expeditions starting in 1492 have on the Indian Ocean region, Africa, and the Americas? What are the two most important influences?

Process p.74 Using the information gathered in this lesson, defend AND oppose the following statement: “The best answer to the question of why long-distance sea voyages were undertaken in the 1400 to 1550 period is: for God, gold, and glory.”