The Age of Discovery Forward Button By Richard

The Age of Discovery Forward Button By Richard Tam

Target Audience • This lesson would be most suitable for high school students in the 9 th 10 th grade.

Objectives • Without any further references, students will identify the causes that led to the Age of Discovery, recognize the significant figures from this era, and reiterate the historical results from this time period to the point where they recognize all key words and concepts.

Benefits of the Lesson • Students will develop a better understanding of what led to the Age of Discovery, which countries and peoples were most involved, and the significance of the entire event.

Introduction • The Age of Discovery was a time where two worlds collided – the Old World and the New World. The contact between these two drastically different worlds led to a variety of changes that impacted the world as we know it.

What Led to the Age of Discovery? There were a variety of key factors that led to the Age of Discovery. Explore these factors by clicking any of the pictures below. Economic Incentives and Necessity Technological Advancements Political Unity and Initiatives

Economic Incentives and Necessities • In 1453, the city of Constantinople fell to Ottoman Turks. • Europe’s access to the Orient was cut off by the fall of this strategic city. • Countries all over Europe suffered economically because this disruption of trade. • Prices for certain goods were higher because there was a great demand for them. As such, there was an economic incentive to find a new route to the Orient. Back to other causes

Technological Advancements • There were several significant technologies that made it possible to explore during that time. • The magnetic compass helped sailors determine their direction. • The astrolabe was a navigation tool that helped find latitude. • Various advances in shipbuilding helped create faster and better ships that could sail into open ocean easier than their predecessors.

Political Unity and Initiatives • Political powers became more centralized and were able to focus on certain tasks more easily. • Various political leaders helped their countries expand exploration initiatives. • Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal encouraged and financed various missions of exploration in order to expand trade. • King Ferdinand Queen Isabella of Spain financed the expedition of Christopher Columbus.

Famous Explorers During the Age of Discovery, various explorers were sent on missions to discovery certain things. Some of the greatest explorers of that time are listed below. Click on the links below to learn more about them. Vasco da Gama Christopher Columbus Ferdinand Magellan

Vasco da Gama • Vasco da Gama was the first European explorer to successfully reach India by a sea route. • Because of his discovery, the country of Portugal managed to reestablish trade with Orient. • Since they were one of the only countries that managed to obtain goods from the Orient, Portugal became quite wealthy. Click to watch Gama’s route

Christopher Columbus • Christopher Columbus was a Genoese explorer that was sponsored by King Ferdinand Queen Isabella of Spain to find a route to the Orient. • Columbus hoped to accomplish this task by sailing west across the Atlantic. Although he eventually reached land, he was not anywhere near the Orient. • Columbus is often credited for discovering the New World. Click to watch Columbus’ route

Ferdinand Magellan • Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer. • He is most famous for being leading a Spanish expedition that circumnavigated the globe, a feat that had never had accomplished before. • Although Magellan did not survive the voyage, his contribution to exploration was quite significant. Click to watch Magellan’s route

The Conquistadors • After the initial contact with the Americas by Christopher Columbus, it was eventually realized that there were entirely new continents across the Atlantic. • Because Spain was the first to discovery the New World, they were the first to act. • Spain sent soldiers and explorers known as conquistadors to discovery the potential of the New World.

How they Conquered The very word conquistador means conqueror, and that’s just what they did. But how did the conquistadors manage to conquer the New World? Below are the various reasons why. Technology Disease

Technology • The conquistadors simply had superior military technology. • Guns were both efficient killing weapons and shocking to the Native Americans. They had never experienced guns before. • Horses were also a useful military resource. Again, the Native Americans had never even seen horses before. • Although many Native American peoples were quite skilled with precious metals such as gold and silver, they did not have steel. The conquistadors had steel that offered them better weapons and armor.

Disease • Disease was by far the most devastating weapon against the Native Americans. • The natives did not have any immunities to European diseases. • Native American populations were decimated by these diseases.

Famous Conquistadors • Although there were many conquistadors, the most famous ones are listed below. Follow the links to learn about their conquests. Hernán Cortés Francisco Pizarro

Hernán Cortés Click to watch Cortés’ route • Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador. • He and his men conquered the Aztec Empire • After conquering, Cortés became governor of what was then called New Spain. Cortés built Mexico City on the ruins of Aztec civilization. To Video

Hernan Cortes Video

Francisco Pizarro Click to watch Pizarro’s route • Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador. • He and his men conquered the Incan Empire. • Pizarro went on to found the city of Lima and was eventually assassinated by the son of one former allies.

Results of the Age of Discovery The Age of Discovery led to many things that changed the world. Discover what these things were by following the links below. Columbian Exchange Colonization Impact on the Natives

Columbian Exchange • The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of goods between the New World and the Old World. • It was named after Christopher Columbus.

Colonization • The Age of Discovery led to the colonization of the New World by multiple European countries. • Even today, many countries are heavily influenced by their colonial past.

Impact on Natives • Although the Native Americans were exposed to new ideas, technologies, and trade goods, they were also exposed to diseases which killed many of them. • Many Native Americans died in combat as well. • Native Americans also tended to lose their land to Europeans. Enslavement was common in some parts of the Americas as well as general mistreatment and racism.

Quiz • Click on the following links for questions over the material. Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7

Question 1 True or False – Economic necessity, technological advances, and political unity were all factors that led to the Age of Discovery. True False

Question 2 • Which of the following explorers was NOT prominent during the Age of Discovery A. Marco Polo B. Christopher Columbus C. Ferdinand Magellan D. Vasco da Gama

Question 3 • How did the conquistadors conquer the New World? Pick the BEST answer below. A. Racial superiority B. Steel C. Guns D. Horses E. Diseases F. All of the Above G. A combination of B, C, D, and E.

Question 4 • True or False – Tomatoes, potatoes, and corn were originally from Europe. Prior to the Age of Discovery and the Columbian Exchange, the Americas did not have these crops. True False

Correct!

Incorrect • Try again!

Question 5 • Imagine being a Native American during the Age of Discovery. How would you feel about the European settlers? What were the negative effects of European settlers? Were there any benefits at all? Write your thoughts in the text box provided below.

Question 6 • How do you think the conquistadors and other Europeans justified the conquering, enslavement, and mistreatment of Native Americans? Write your thoughts in the text box provided below?

Question 7 • Several European powers ended up colonizing the New World. These countries include Spain, Portugal, England, France and even more. What were the reasons for colonizing the New World? Why was having colonies so important and beneficial? Write your thoughts in the text box provided below.

Conclusion • In conclusion, the Age of Discovery was important for many reasons. The discoveries made during this time changed the world. It also partially explains why the Americas today are they way that they are.

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