1. Chapter 15: Scientific Revolution and the Age of Exploration
Lesson 3 The Age of Exploration

2. MAIN IDEAS
Seeking an ocean route to Asia, Portugal sent out explorers on sea voyages.
Searching for a new route to Asia, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic and reached the Americas.
After Columbus’ first voyage, a number of explorers made the trip to the Americas.

3. Portugal Leads the Way Henry the Navigator
EQ: How did Portugal find an ocean route to Asia?
Since Middle Ages, Europeans craved luxury goods from Asia
Merchants from England, France, Spain, Portugal wanted Asian sea route
Portuguese, with help from government, were first to succeed
Henry the Navigator
Prince Henry opened school for navigators, mapmakers, shipbuilders; also sponsored (gave $ for) explorations, so became known as “the Navigator”

4. Technology and Exploration
Portugal Leads the Way
EQ: How did Portugal find an ocean route to Asia?
Technology and Exploration
Henry the Navigatorʼs school made advances in technology
Caravel—ship designed for long voyages; square and triangular sails
Portuguese sailors used Greek astrolabe to find shipsʼ latitude; an astrolabe—measures the angle of stars above the horizon

5. Portugal Leads the Way Reaching India
EQ: How did Portugal find an ocean route to Asia?
Reaching India
By 1460, Portugal had trading posts along African west coast, India, Spice Islands; developed profitable trade in gold, ivory, slaves
In 1488, explorer Bartolomeu Dias rounded Africaʼs south tip
Vasco da Gama extended Diasʼ route; sailed east to India in 1498
In time, Portugal dominated European trade with Asia

6. Columbus’ First Voyage
Columbus Reaches America
EQ: Why did Columbus sail west across the Atlantic, and what did he find?
Columbus’ First Voyage
Columbus believed he could reach Asia faster by sailing west. Some thought this strange; Portugal, Spain rejected it at first
Columbus convinced Spainʼs monarchs to sponsor his plan
August 1492, Columbus departed Spain with three caravels, 90 men. After 10 weeks, restless crew finally saw land

7. The Treaty of Tordesillas
Columbus Reaches America
EQ: Why did Columbus sail west across the Atlantic, and what did he find?
Columbus’ Mistake
Columbus thought land was India; greeted by “Indians.” He actually landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea (Guanahani/Iguana, renamed San Salvador)
No trade goods found; Columbus set up settlement, returned to Spain
The Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain and Portugal wanted to protect their discoveries
Signed Treaty of Tordesillas—drew imaginary line around the world; Spain could claim lands to the west and Portugal, lands to the east

8. Columbus Reaches America
EQ: Why did Columbus sail west across the Atlantic, and what did he find?
Additional Voyages
Spainʼs Ferdinand, Isabella sent Columbus on three more voyages - Columbus found many islands, but no proof of route to Asia
Spanish monarchs lost patience with Columbus
In 1506, Columbus died bitter, lonely, insisting heʼd reached India; he discovered a continent (North America) unknown to Europeans

9. Exploration After Columbus
EQ: Which other European countries explored and claimed parts of the Americas?
Circling the Globe
After Columbusʼ voyages, many European explorers sailed to America
Spain sponsored Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan in He attempted to circumnavigate the globe—travel completely around the world.
Magellan sailed around South America into Pacific Ocean. He landed in Philippine Islands; was killed in a local war. The depleted crew finished the trip; were first to sail around globe.

10. Exploration After Columbus
EQ: Which other European countries explored and claimed parts of the Americas?
Spanish Conquerors
In 1500s, many Spanish explorers went to America to spread Catholicism, seek gold, and expand the Spanish Empire
Hernán Cortés conquered rich Aztec (Mexican) empire. Within ten years, Spain won control of entire region, enslaving many who lived in todayʼs Mexico, Central America
Francisco Pizarro led attack on Incan (Peruvian/Chilean) empire; killed emperor. By 1535, controlled most Incan lands; Incan slaves worked mines

11. Further Explorations in the North
Exploration After Columbus
EQ: Which other European countries explored and claimed parts of the Americas?
Further Explorations in the North
Hernando de Soto explored todayʼs southern United States
England, France sponsored attempts to find Northwest Passage to Asia
John Cabot searched for passage in 1490s. Though unsuccessful, Cabot claimed coastal lands in North America
Verrazzanoʼs search for Northwest Passage ended at New York Harbor
Franceʼs Cartier explored St. Lawrence River inland through Canada

12. Mapmaking and a New Worldview
Exploration After Columbus
EQ: Which other European countries explored and claimed parts of the Americas?
Mapmaking and a New Worldview
Each new voyage, discovery changed European view of Earth
Maps in 1500s began showing two new continents; the Americas
Americas named after mapmaker Amerigo Vespucci, who was first to explore and map coasts of new continents

13. Lesson Summary & so what
The Portuguese established trade routes by sea to Africa and Asia.
Searching for a new route to Asia, Columbus sailed west and reached the Americas.
Several nations explored North and South America and established claims there.
Why It Matters Now . . .
European exploration and settlement of the Americas had a major impact on the cultures found in the United States today.