Aim: Why did Europeans begin exploring different parts of the world?

Do Now: Go to the back of the room and find Portugal on the map. Then sit back down.

Overview of European History (~400-1400s)

190AD-476AD: End of Roman Empire, Beginning of Middle Ages

1200’s: Europe emerges from the Middle Ages. (Restored Order)

1200s-1400’s: Europe centralized its governments once again.

1330’s: The Black Death (1/3 of Europe dead, order destroyed)

1400’s: Age of Exploration (Explore World, New Markets, Mercantilism)

1500’s- Renaissance (“rebirth” of European art and culture, Greek/Roman knowledge)

1600’s: Age of Absolutism (Trained monarchs with total power)

1700’s: Industrialization (Urbanization, Machines replace workers, Communism/Capitalism)

1800’s: Imperialism (Strong conquered weak, new markets, new tech., White Man’s Burden)

Reasons for European Exploration

1) Needed new markets/trade routes to sell their goods.

2) Needed RAW MATERIALS to feed their growing industries.

3) Needed more land.

4) Spread Christianity.

Why did Portugal begin exploring?• Took part in the “Reconquista” Forced Muslims out of

Spain.

• 1419: Prince Henry the Navigator1)Wanted the Portuguese to Sail the Atlantic.2)Spread Christianity to new places.3)Reduce Muslim Domination of Trade.4)Sailed to the African Kingdoms for Gold and Salt.

• The Astrolabe

• The Compass

• The Caravel

What Inventions made the Age of Exploration easier?

Notable Portuguese Explorers…1487: Bartolomeu Dias- Sailed around S. Africa.

1498: Vasco da Gama- Opened a sea route to India.

Key Questions

• Why did Europeans begin exploring?

• Who were the first Europeans to begin searching foreign lands?

• Why did these Europeans want to explore?

• What inventions helped Europeans explore the world?

• Why were these inventions important?