0-5: Age of Exploration

Period between 1400 and 1700 when Europeans explored Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

CFU: Think-Write-share: Analyze the timeline below. What impact do you think the European Renaissance had on the Age of Exploration? • The Renaissance impacted European

exploration by ____________

500 1000 1500 2000 Age of Exploration

Scientific Revolution

European Renaissance

Emergence of powerful new nation-states with aggressive kings and queens. Spain, Portugal, France, and

England are perfect examples.

Invention of the printing press

Expansion of trade and business activity Muslims took control of trade in

West Asia forcing Europeans to find another route to the east.

Renaissance quest for

knowledge

Think/Write/Share - Critical Thinking Why do you think the invention of

the printing press was important during the Age of Exploration? The printing press was important

during the Age of Exploration because _________________

AB Exchange Agree/Disagree _______ Critical Response

Can you clarify / add +1 statement

One thing I would like to add

EQ: What were the driving forces behind European Exploration in the 15th century? ?

► Europeans were forced to find new trade routes because of the Muslim takeover of eastern Mediterranean and western Asian trade routes. (areas around the old Silk Road)

► Aside from this, three things motivated Europeans to begin exploring. We call them the Three G’s: Gold Glory God

► Although this is a little simplistic, it is a

great way to remember the main causes and motivations of European exploration.

Think/Write/Share Why do you think the 3 G’s

motivated Europeans to explore? Explain in complete

sentences.

Pass your notebook to your partner: Write a clarification

question that forces your partner to elaborate more and justify their viewpoint.

EQ: What were the driving forces behind European Exploration in the 15th century? ?

Gold was a hot item that explorers were looking for at the time. Europe needed gold (and silver) to

fuel the rising banking system that took root during the Renaissance.

However, Europeans were not only after gold. They were after overall wealth. Because of this, ‘Gold’ in the 3 G’s

actually represents overall wealth.

Think-Write-Share: • Some historians have stated

that the pursuit of gold by Europeans during the Age of Exploration was in fact a very negative event in world history. Do you agree? Disagree? Explain!

• I agree/disagree with this

viewpoint because _______

EQ: What were the driving forces behind European Exploration in the 15th century? ?

Europeans also desired other goods that could help make them wealthy. Such items include: Jewels Spices Timber Sugar Tobacco Ivory

Competition started between

European countries almost immediately. They tried to accumulate as much wealth as possible. Wealth = Power

EQ: What were the causes of European Exploration?

On your whiteboards (answer in complete sentences)

What do you think the dangers

are of different countries in Europe competing for trade routes and resources around the world? Leave space at the bottom of your

board for your partner

Pass your whiteboard to your partner:

Write a clarification question that forces your partner to elaborate more and justify their perspective

0-5 Glory

This idea came out of the Renaissance ideal of Humanism, and the focus on individual achievement

With the rise of the printing press, the possibility of gaining fame for one’s actions was more possible

Also, individual kings wanted glory and fame for their kingdoms.

Competition spread rapidly among people and European powers.

Think-Write-Share: • How might people seek

individual glory today?

• What do you think were the dangers of seeking glory during the Age of Exploration? • The possible dangers

of seeking glory might

be _____

EQ: What were the causes of European Exploration?

Europeans had always seen spreading Christianity as a good thing. They created colonies for economic

reasons, and converted native peoples (often forcedly).

Jesuits (Catholics) were some of the most active Christian converters.

There was a belief that the spreading

of Christianity was a competition. The country that converted the most

people to the religion, would be in the favor of God.

EQ: What were the driving forces behind European Exploration in the 15th century? ?

Think/Write/Share - Critical Thinking

What impact do you think the efforts of 15th century Europeans to convert natives to Christianity has had on the Western Hemisphere today?

AB Exchange

Agree/Disagree _______ Critical Response

Can you clarify / add +1 statement

One thing I would like to add