Let’s Take a Trip! European Exploration – Reasons, Goals, and Important People

We’re going to answer 4 important questions today: Why did exploration start in Europe? What made exploration possible? Who were the explorers? What were their goals?

Why did exploration start in Europe? Around the 1400s, many factors began pushing Europeans to explore and expand outside Europe. Crusades create demand for foreign goods. (How?) Renaissance encouraged adventure/curiosity. (What ideals?) Most importantly – Eur. Rulers wanted a direct sea route to Asia Wanted to avoid middlemen in Mediterranean

Focus Question: Why did exploration start in Europe? Answer in a complete sentence in your notes.

What made exploration possible? Remember, this is the 1400s we’re talking about here. These guys don’t exactly have Google Maps on their smart phones. Anybody been overseas? What if I brought you to my house at Topsail Island and said, “Get me to ____________.” Could you do it? Then how the heck did these guys do it?

What made exploration possible? Caravel – new ship able to make long voyages Look on page 409 in your book. What three important designs made the caravel special?

UNs

What made exploration possible? Astrolabe – uses stars to find latitude (What is latitude? Why is it important for sea travel?) Compass – more accurately tracks direction

What made exploration possible? Cartography – map making Why is it important for explorers to have reliable maps? Sketch a map of the United States on your paper. Then look at the person beside you. If you think theirs is good [or they haven’t done it] raise your hand.

Focus Question: What made exploration possible? Answer in a complete sentence in your notes.

Who were the explorers? Christopher Columbus ( ) – Italian explorer who reached “new world” in 1492 Most explorers during this time sailed for sponsors- rulers of countries who paid for explorers to find trade routes Even though Columbus was Italian, he actually sailed for the king and queen of Spain, thus making Spain famous.

Who were the explorers? Vasco da Gama – Portuguese explorer – first to sail directly from Europe to India [What was a major goal of exploration?] Ferdinand Magellan – Portuguese explorer (sponsored by Spain) whose crew circumnavigated the world. Circum- around. Navigate – to find a way. What does it mean to circumnavigate the world?

Who were the explorers? Amerigo Vespucci – Italian sailing for Portugal. Traveled along eastern coast of South America. In 1507, a German mapmaker named the new continent “AMERICA” in honor of Vespucci.

Focus Question: Who were the explorers? Answer in a complete sentence in your notes.

What were their goals? God, Gold, and Glory

What were their goals? God – spread Christianity How does the Christian idea of making converts factor into this goal? Gold – make money for sponsoring country Duh, everybody wants money. Glory – explorers want to be famous. What do you want to be remembered for?

One explorers motives for exploration: “To serve God and His Majesty; to give light to those in darkness; and to grow rich as all men desire to do.” - Bartolomeu Dias How does this quote reflect God, Gold, or Glory?

Focus Question: What were the goals of European explorers? Answer in a complete sentence in your notes.

RAFT Activity!!