1. How Did a spirit of exploration become part of the western worldview?
Social Studies 8
Chapter 3
Focus Question #3
How Did a spirit of exploration become part of the western worldview?

2. Spirit of exploration Greek and Roman Empires (earliest) Middle Ages
Land trade routes were expanded
More exotic goods from far off places made their way back to Europe
Middle Ages
Expanded trading areas in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Traded with Islamic and Asian civilizations for luxury goods wanted by Europe's increasing wealthy middle class
Renaissance (latest)
City states in Italy gained power and wealth: Government and traders worked hard to increase their control of the Mediterranean
Feudal system declined and Monarchs gained power; they wanted wealth that came from trade. This competition created new trade routes

3. Age of Exploration
The competition for new trade routes increased geographic knowledge of the areas, as well as new sailing technologies.
This led to the Age of Exploration, which is also called the Age of Discovery
Began during the Renaissance with a European desire to expand their influence to other areas of the world.
This became a major part of European worldview…EXPANSIONISM!!!!
Expansionism

4. Factors affecting expansionism…
The Silk Road was not providing enough goods for the demand from Europe.
Merchants would put their money together to buys ships that would trade for goods. Any money that they made (profit) would be split amongst them.
Making a profit became an important part of the European worldview.

5. Factors affecting Expansionism…
In order to trade with the East, merchants from Europe had to deal with middlemen
These middlemen were Italian or Muslim traders who had control over the trade
As focus on making a profit increased, European traders wanted to deal with the East directly, and skip the middlemen all together.
Wealthy merchants and monarchs from Europe funded voyages of exploration to find new routes to the East.

6. Factors affecting Expansionism…
The straits that connected the Mediterranean to the Black Sea were conqureed by the Turks, which made them impassable.
As a result, finding new and direct routes to India and China became very important for Western European Countries

7. New Ideas and Knowledge: Geography
Some people still believed the Earth was round and flat (plate)…like Aristotle said
Some believed Ptolemy…it was sphere. These sailors sailed west in order to reach the shores of Asia.
Problem…Ptolemy miscalculated the circumference of the Earth and therefore underestimated the time it would take to sail the globe.

8. New Ideas and Knowledge: Geography
Islamic scientists, then European scientist (Copernicus) confirmed the Earth was a sphere.
This gave sailors confidence to sail the globe without fear of falling off the edge of the Earth.
Vikings had already discovered the Western World, however, it was not documented or known by European explorers yet.

9. New ideas and knowledge: Interest in knowing more about the world
A new interest in geography and a willingness to challenge old geographic beliefs developed because of humanism
Travel writers created interest in trade and exploration by promoting the idea of exploration and observation of the world.
Italian traders first, followed by others, increased the interest in navigation by making themselves, their merchants, and their city-states wealthy

10. New ideas and knowledge: Interest in knowing more about the world
Technological advancements in cartography, navigation and shipbuilding kept traders competitive and allowed their ships to travel further.
Designers put Arab and European ship designs together to design the Caravel and the Carrack

11. New ideas and knowledge: Interest in knowing more about the world
Sailors began using the compass on board ships, which had only been used on land previously
Sailors also began using the astrolabe on board at night. They would use the stars for navigation. This led to journeys farther from the sight of land, leading to new discoveries and explorations of new lands

12. New ideas and knowledge: Interest in knowing more about the world
The printing press was also important because it spread maps and navigational tables.
This made it possible to share sailing information, knowledge and charts across Europe.

13. How did a spirit of exploration become part of the Western Worldview?
Review what you know!
How well could you answer focus question #3?
How did a spirit of exploration become part of the Western Worldview?