Early Explorers

Reasons for Exploring

• Faster/ safer trade routes• Spread of Christianity• Adventure• “Fountain of Youth”• Conquest/power• Wealth (Gold and Silver)• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper)– Spices were used to preserve food.

What was difficult for explorers?

• Simple compasses and maps• Enemies• Disease/death/starvation• Fear of falling off the earth• Lack of food, water etc.

What is a cartographer?

• A person that makes maps

What was the “Silk Road?”

• A path that people took to trade from Europe to China

• It was very dangerous (scavengers)• It took a very long time• The people traveling had to take care of the

animals pulling the wagons

Sailing around the Southern tip of Africa for trade…

• It was much safer• It didn’t take as long as the Silk Road• Ships could carry more goods for trade• Explorers that had to do with discovering the

sailing route:– Vasco De Gama

Ferdinand Magellan

Amerigo Vespucci

Christopher Columbus

John Cabot

Hernando Cortes

Francisco Pizzaro