2. New Ideas in Europe Chapter 3 Lesson 2

3. The Renaissance Important changes took place during the 1300 and 1400s (renaissance – rebirth). During the Renaissance, technology in Europe changed. Technology is the use of scientific knowledge and tools to do things better and faster. The printing press is an example.

4. Sea Exploration Technology made navigation easier and more accurate. Navigation is the science of planning and controlling the direction of a ship. Europeans learned about a navigation tool, from North Africans, called an astrolabe. An astrolabe measures the height of the sun or a star above the horizon.

5. Sea Exploration Another technological tool learned from North Africans was the compass which helped sailors steer their ships without the sun or stars. Sailors could use this to tell how far north or south of home they were. Europeans learned about gunpowder from the Chinese which could be used in cannons and guns.

6. A Sea Route to Asia The Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to find a new sea route to Asia. Portugal’s location and coastline made it a good starting point for sailors. Merchants believed they could make a bigger profit if they traveled by sea. Profit is the money a business has left over after all of its expenses have been paid.

7. Prince Henry of Portugal Known as the ‘Navigator’ even though he never set sail on a ship. Started a school for navigation to teach sailors about new technology for sailing. Prince Henry encouraged exploration. Carvel ships were small and light and good for exploring.

8. Slavery Portuguese sailors set up a trading post off the coast of West Africa. These traders forced Africans into slavery and sold them in Europe. Slavery is a cruel system in which people are bought and sold and made to work without pay.

9. Portuguese Sailors In 1487, Bartolomeu Dias explored the west coast of Africa. After a bad storm, he realized that he had sailed around the southern tip of Africa. The Portuguese named the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope.

10. Portuguese Sailors Vasco da Gama was the first Portuguese explorer to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and keep going to reach India. Other sailors soon followed this new trade route.

11. Lesson Review During the Renaissance, Europeans used new navigation tools. This technology helped them find faster ways to trade goods with Asia. Portuguese sailors sailed around Africa to reach Asia. WHY DOES IT MATTER? The search for a sea route to Asia led to important discoveries in navigation and geography.