Age of Exploration
By Shannon, Christopher, and Richmond
What is the age of exploration?
The age of exploration was prompted by scientific curiosity, the Renaissance, and the the thought of spreading Christianity among others. It began in the 15th century and lasted until the 17th century.The biggest reason for exploring was for the spice and silk trade.
The first country to send explorers was Portugal. They were looking for a sea route to Asia. These voyages began by traveling west.
Challenges Explorers Faced
Reasons for Exploration
Agricultural Exchange
Exchange of Traditions
Exchange of Items and Diseases
Trading Between Europe and Americas
Famous European Explorers
- Christopher Columbus
- Ferdinand Magellan
- Vasco de Gama
- Sir Francis Drake
- Sir Walter Raleigh
- Hernando Cortes
- John Cabot
- Samuel de Champlain
In 1492, Christopher Columbus, one of the first explorers of the New World, set sail from Spain. He planned to prove that you could travel West to get to India faster. He thought he had landed in India, while he had actually landed in America, and gave the name “Indians” to the Native Americans. Columbus had found the New World and didn’t realize it. He came back to Europe and spread to the rest of the world about his findings, and thereafter began the bulk of exploration and colonization in the New World.