1. Intro to the Age of Exploration

2. Warm-up 5/9 Why do we explore?
What do you think explorers were looking for during the Age of Exploration?

3. Answer these questions as you watch the video Discovery Ed: Age of Exploration Video
Why did the Age of Exploration begin?
Describe the journey of Columbus.
How did America get its name?
What are the negative effects of the Age of Exploration?

4. Pros and Cons List
On your paper, make a list of the positive and negative affects of the Age of Exploration

5. The Age of Exploration Begins
Question #5
The Age of Exploration Begins
The major purpose of the Age of Exploration was to find new trade routes to Asia
Muslims controlled land routes across the Middle East and did not allow Europeans to trade
Question #6

6. Question #7
Trade Routes
Because Europeans were unable to trade along the Silk Road, they decided they would have to travel by sea to reach Asia
They had two options:
1) Sail around Africa
2) Find a new route around the world
Question #8
On your map, sketch these two options!

7. Question #8
Sail around Africa
Sailing around the tip of Africa was very dangerous because of the rough seas

8. Vasco de Gama A Portuguese explorer
Question #9
Vasco de Gama
A Portuguese explorer
He was the first European to reach India by sea in 1498
Sailed around Africa

9. Question #8
Sail around the World
Europeans did not know that the Americas were in the way
At the time, most people believed the earth was flat

10. Ferdinand Magellan A Portuguese explorer
Question #10
Ferdinand Magellan
A Portuguese explorer
His expedition became the first to travel all the way around the world in 1522 (he died in 1521)

11. Innovations in Navigation (Sailing)
During the Age of Exploration, improved technology allowed ships to become bigger and faster
Added rudders to help steer the ship
Sails were improved to catch the wind from any direction and were more efficient

12. Innovations in Navigation (Sailing) Age of Exploration Ship
Caravel- A medium-sized ship developed in the 1500s in Portugal. Sailors liked that it was easy to maneuver

13. Direction
The compass was invented in China in the 800s, but later became popular in Europe
A magnetic needle always pointed north, allowing sailors to know each direction
This was very important in fog or at night

14. Latitude (how far North or South)
The astrolabe measured the position of the sun or a star and helped determine a sailor’s location
Astro: star
Developed by the Muslims living in Spain around 1000 CE

15. Longitude (how far East or West)
Ptolemy, a Greek philosopher, understood that you could monitor the stars positions and find your position
The quadrant was invented by Muslims in 1200
This instrument was not always accurate, but gave sailors a good estimate

16. Printing Press Developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the 1440s
Information on new sailing technologies spread quickly
More maps were printed

17. Video: Navigational Tools
As you watch, make a list of the navigational tools used by explorers during the Age of Exploration!