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3Advances in Ship Design

4Improved Navigation Tools

5Online

Resources

2Reasons

forExploration

1Introduction

The Age of Exploration

Introduction Europeans

had traded with Asia for years.

They traded for rugs, silk, spices and gems.

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Overland Trade Routes

Overland trade routes were long and dangerous. Travelers were often ambushed by bandits.

Africa

Europe Asia

Indian Ocean

Pacific Ocean

AtlanticOcean

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Trade Routes to Asia Closed 1453—The

Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople and close the overland trade route to Asia.

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Prince Henry the Navigator Circa 1450—Prince

Henry the Navigator of Portugal begins a School of Navigation for the teaching of navigation, astronomy, and cartography.

The school also researches new ship designs and new navigation tools.

Navigation—the science of figuring out the location and the course of a ship.

Astronomy—the study of the stars and planets

Cartography—the art and science of making maps

Circa—about

Navigation—the science of figuring out the location and the course of a ship.

Astronomy—the study of the stars and planets

Cartography—the art and science of making maps

Circa—about Next

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Map of Portugal During the Age of Discovery

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Advances in Ship Design

The Caravel New ship design More easily

navigated strong headwinds and unfavorable currents.

Quickly made Portugal the leading maritime power.

Maritime—relating to ocean tradeNext

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Tools of the TradeAdvances in Navigation Technology

CompassImprovements made ships’ compasses more accurate.

Astrolabe—helped sailors figure out their distance north or south of the equator (Latitude)

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Early Trade Routes Home

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Reasons for Exploration

God

Glory Gold

Goods

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GOD—Spread of Christianity

Wanted to convert others to Christianity

Catholics verses Protestants Two Christian viewpoints Catholic nations wanted

to spread Catholic Christianity

Protestant nations wanted to spread Protestant Christianity

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GOLD—Precious Gems/Metals Needed gold, silver

and precious stones To pay for wars with

other European kingdoms

To make their countries stronger economically and politically

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GLORY—The Thrill of Discovery and Conquest

The Adventure of Exploring New Places

Fueled by Popular Adventure Stories

Some explorers liked the thrill of conquering new territory.

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GOODS—Needed to trade for goods not found in Europe

The Need for Spices

No Refrigeration Spices needed to

preserve and add flavor to food

Very expensive

Other Goods from Asia

Silk Back

Resources Why Explorers Explored the World http://library.thinkquest.org/J002678F/why.htm

The Age of Explorations—Chapter 19 http://www.ltisdschools.org/cms/lib/TX21000349/Centricity/Domain/287/Cha

pter19.pdf

The Age of Exploration http://info.teachtci.com/resources/ha/AgeofExploration.pdf

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