Unit: The New Imperialism Topic: Early Explorations ► Mrs. Johnson

1. Around Africa to Asia A.In 1415, Prince Henry, the son of the Portuguese king, gathered experts in science, mapmaking, and shipbuilding. B.He would later be known as Henry the Navigator.

C. This led to a fleet of ships that explored the coast of West Africa.

D. In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

3. On to India A.Around 1498, Vasco da Gama followed Dias’ route and traveled across the Indian Ocean to India.

B.Although he lost half his ships, Da Gama returned home with Asian spices. C.The Portuguese had now established a successful all-water trade route to Asia.

3. Christopher Columbus A. The success of the Portuguese inspired Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to gain a share of the spice trade. B. Isabella also wanted to spread Christianity.

C. In 1492, Christopher Columbus convinced the Spanish monarchs to fund his plan to reach Asia by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.

If Smurfs ruled the world…

D.Columbus and his crew aboard the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, sailed west for India, striking land after two months.

E.They had discovered the Americas, a continent they had not known existed.

4. Divide It Up! A. Spain and Portugal both claimed the land Columbus had discovered. B. In 1493, Pope Alexander VI established the Line of Demarcation, which divided the non-European world into two zones for Spain and Portugal. C. One year later, with the Treaty of Tordesillas, the two agreed to move the line.