WHII.4 – Age of Discovery

Reasons for Exploration

What are some reasons people move?

How much of the world do you think Europeans knew about in the 1500s?

What are some things that made travelling difficult at this time?

Introduction: Brainstorm

Expanding economies of European states◦ Stimulated increased trade with markets in Asia

European nations on the Atlantic wanted to maritime routes for trade

Why were Europeans interested in discovering new lands & markets?

3 G’s: Gold, God & Glory Gold

◦ Demand for gold, spices, natural resources in Europe

God◦ Support for the diffusion of Christianity

Glory◦ Political & economic competition between European

empires (want to be biggest & best)

Factors Leading to European Discovery of Lands in Western Hemisphere

Innovations in navigational arts◦ European & Islamic origins◦ Ex. Compass, map-making

Pioneering role of Prince Henry the Navigator◦ Never explored himself◦ Set up schools for &

sponsored navigation

Factors Leading to European Discovery of Lands in Western Hemisphere

Diffusion = spread of ideas

Migration of colonists to new lands◦Colony – settlement of people outside their

homeland; linked with parent country by trade & government control

Influence of Catholics & Protestants◦ Carried their faith, language & culture to new lands

Conversion of indigenous peoples◦ Indigenous – native population

Diffusion of Christianity