1. European explorers arrive
What were they looking for?

2. Genghis Khan & The mongols
Who was Genghis Khan? Europeans could no longer go to Asia for trades once the Ottoman Empire & the Ming Dynasty began to rise.

3. Overland trade routes
The silk road was the most widely used trade route across Asia.
It was extremely dangerous to travel, and the merchants began charging more for their goods because it was difficult to obtain the goods.
The Europeans LOVED Asian goods, so some wanted to be able to find a safe route to make lots of money.

4. Travel by sea
Vikings travelled in drakkars, men had to row for momentum. It was steered by a side oar.
Chinese travelled in junk. The sails were divided by bamboo slats.

5. European ships
Caravels were small ships that were used for exploration. They could travel up to 100 miles a day.
Carracks were large ships armed with cannons for sea warfare. They could transport lots of goods.

6. Seamonsters Ichthyocentaur: part human, part horse, part fish.
Map from Scandinavia 1573
From the British Library & the University of Chicago Press

7. Sea pig
Lived in the North Sea
1539

8. Polypus Means many-footed Lobster/centipede/octopus 1539
Was descried as an octopus

9. Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus: sponsored by King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella to find Asia. He landed in the Caribbean instead. The Spanish exploited the Aztec and Incan empires.
“They ... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded everything they owned... . They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features.... They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane... . They would make fine servants.... With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” – Christopher Columbus

10. John cabot (giovanni caboto)
First European to land in North America
1497
Newfoundland was abundant in cod
He met with the Mi’kmaq and the Beothuk peoples

11. imperialism
From the monarchs: “conquer, occupy, and possess” lands & claim them for England

12. References
Ottoman sipahis in battle, holding the crescent banner (by Jozef Brandt) -
Genghis Khan video -
Silk Road map -
Viking Drakkar -
Chinese Junk -
Caravel Ship -
Magellan’s Carrack -
Sea Monsters -
Christopher Columbus - discover-america
John Cabot -
Imperialism Cartoon -