Age of Exploration
By: Edward and Shane
What Is The Age of Exploration?
The Age of Exploration or known as The Age of Discovery was a time period from the early 15th century to the 17th century. Europeans were the first to start explorations. They explored Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. The first exploration was by Prince Henry the Navigator.
What caused the age of exploration to happen?
Many European countries wanted more gold and silver but the main reason was the desire to gain new trade routes to Asia to transfer spices. Spices were big trade products back then.
Turning Points in History - Age of Exploration
Why Europe?
Before the age of exploration, spices could only be traded into Europe by the silk road. The Silk Road often closed due to wars so Kings and Queens commissioned explorers to find new ways to get spices to their kingdom.
Major Explorers during this time
Christopher Columbus(1451-1506)famous for going to the new world.
Sir Francis Drake( 1540- 1596) first English voyage around the world and claimed the San Francisco bay for Queen Elizabeth
Vasco de Gama (1460-1524) voyage to India making Portuguese first to visit and the exploration of west coast Africa.
Ferdinand Magellan(1480–1521) determined voyage to find a route through the Americas to the east which ultimately led to discovery of the passage known today as the Strait of Magellan.
Sir Francis Drake( 1540- 1596) first English voyage around the world and claimed the San Francisco bay for Queen Elizabeth
Vasco de Gama (1460-1524) voyage to India making Portuguese first to visit and the exploration of west coast Africa.
Ferdinand Magellan(1480–1521) determined voyage to find a route through the Americas to the east which ultimately led to discovery of the passage known today as the Strait of Magellan.
Age of Exploration Columbus
What this lead to?
This lead to the European Countries to become trade rich. A book wrote by Adam Smith made them realize that it wasn't gold or silver that made you rich, but they were useful as an exchange. The wealth of a nation was by its ability to produce goods. This lead to the spread of the European culture around the world, also the foundation of Canada and America.
Essential Question
How would the world be different if the European Age of Exploration had never happened?