1. Intro: Age of Exploration
Mr. Gouge’s Social Studies Class

2. Barriers to European Exploration
Some believed the world was flat
Religious customs conflicted with some scientific methods
The Crusades further divided many cultures
The average person was afraid of the unknown open seas
Lack of technology and experience sailing distances
Dangers of the Silk Road
Rise of the Ottoman Empire
Dangers of travel through sub-Saharan Africa

3. New Technology Emerges
Caravels: A small but sturdy and fast sailing ship used by the Portuguese to travel great distances and hold large amounts of supplies
Compass: A magnetized instrument that shows true north direction regardless of your location on Earth
Astrolabe: An instrument used to tell the altitude of objects based on celestial bodies (IE: using the moon and stars to gauge how far/high objects are)
Cartography: The science of making accurate maps
Sextant: An instrument that measures angles and distance based on the horizon and celestial bodies

4. Catalysts for European Exploration
Europe is running out of many natural resources
Discovery of accurate Viking maps
Success of Portugal’s Prince Henry Explorations
Technology is advancing
Desire for money
Trade with Asia via new routes

5. Unexpected Outcomes of Exploration
Many nations were competing for the same new lands
Continued wars in Europe limited resources for exploration
Differences in language/culture barred any collaboration
New diseases that Europeans had never built immunities against
Exploration led to new peoples that Europe intended to control and convert