Age of Exploration The Age of Exploration took

Age of Exploration

• The Age of Exploration took place around during the 1400 s to the 1600 s. • The Age of Exploration was a time period in which explorers began to explore the world, discover new lands, and map their findings.

Vocabulary explore: To travel over new territory for adventure or discovery. explorer: A person who investigates new regions. exploration: The act of exploring.

Before the Age of Exploration… • Before the Age of Exploration people did not travel far from their homes because traveling was too difficult. • Around the 1300 s and 1400 s new inventions started making long distance traveling possible. • Europeans began making contact with people from Africa and Asia.

New Inventions • New inventions improved navigation and made water voyages possible. • Compass: An instrument with a magnetic needle that always points to the north. • Astrolabe: Tool that measures the height of the sun or a star above the horizon. Sailors used it to tell how far north or south from home they were.

Vocabulary navigation: The science of planning and controlling the direction of the ship.

The Caravel Ships were also improved during this time. The Caravel was designed to be smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver. A new pump system allowed the ship to travel in shallow water. This allowed explorers to sail up coastlines and rivers. Older ships contained square sails. The Caravel had triangular sails which made the ship easier to change direction. All of these inventions allowed explorers to travel farther than ever before.

What does spices, silk, and gold have to do with exploration? During this time, Europeans were beginning to trade with Asia. The Europeans were trading gold for silk from Asia. The silk was used for their clothes. Silk was the latest fashion. Rich Europeans were paying a lot of money for silk.

Europeans were also trading gold for spices. During this time period, there was no refrigeration for food. Therefore, food spoiled easily. Spices were needed to cover the bad taste of spoiled food. Most of the spices were being imported from Asia. Trade merchants were making a lot of money from spices and silk.

The Silk Road • Before the Age of Exploration, obtaining silk and spices from Asia was a very difficult process. Trade merchants had to travel along the Silk Road. • The Silk Road was a series of trade routes that connected China and Europe. • Merchants traveled the Silk Road in caravans. The route was very dangerous and took a long time to travel. • In 1453, the Ottoman Empire took control of the Silk Road and blocked the route from Europeans. Obtaining silk and spices was virtually impossible and the Muslim traders charged a lot of money for the items so they could make a huge profit.

Vocabulary empire: A group of countries under a single authority or emperor

European countries wanted money! European countries decided that they wanted to find a water route to Asia. The water route would be longer, but faster. They then would not have to buy the items from the Muslim traders. If they found a water route, they could sell the items themselves and make a lot of money. By getting the silk and spices faster, they could bring in more shipments and make a bunch of money. They dreamed of getting rich. They dreamed of wealth!

Video

Let’s think for a minute! What are some items that we use in our life today that come from Asia?

Would you look for ways to get these items?