Age+of+Exploration

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=1400A.D. - 1600 A.D.= By: Cole and Dolan  "By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination."- Christopher Columbus The Age of Exploration was cause by many things. The first reason being the ecomony. Countries wanted to expand trade for precious metals and the spice trade. Another reason was religion. Many countries wanted to spread their religion views, mostly Christianity. Another cause of this was for adventure. People were inspired by Marco Polo's "The Travels", so it inspired them to travel. Finally, one of the largest causes was the advaces in technology of exploration. The study of Cartography, the Astrolabe, the Compass, the advances of ships, and the creation of cannons and firearms. The main cause of the Age of Exploration can be summed up by saying they wanted: Gold, Glory, and God.

There were many English and French Explorers. English Explorers such as John Cabot, John Smith, and Henry Hudson founded many natural lands. Cabot found Delaware, Hudson found the Hudson River, and John found Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement. Francis Drake was the first to sail around the world in 1577. While the Enligh founded those things, the French founded the St. Lawerance River, Quebec, the first Fench settlement in the Americas, and Louisiana.

The Spanish and the Portuguese were the leaders in exploration. Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India in 1498. It created large profits from spices. Pedro Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500 when his ship was blown of course. Admiral Albuquerque set up Goa port on the west coast of India. It functioned as a stopping area for ships. The Spanish also contrubed. Christopher Columbus thought that he could reach Asia by sailing west. Wueen Isabella and King Ferdinand sponsored the voyage. Colubus set sail Auf. 3, 1492 and landed on Oct. 12, 1492 on San Salvador. This introduced the Columbian Exchange, or an exchange of products, plants, snimals, and diseases from the New and Old World.



**__Top 5 Most Important People of the Age of Exploration:__**
1.**Christopher Columbus-** Christopher Columbus was born in Fenora Italy in 1451. He thought that he could find a quick route to Asia by sailing west. He was sponsored by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. He reach "Asia" the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492 when he landed on San Salvador.
 * 2.Amerigo Vespucci-** Vespucci charted the coastline of Central and South America. America got its name from him and it was first used on 1507. Martin Waldseemuile was the one responible for naming America after Amerigo.
 * 3.Hernan Cortes-** Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico in 1521. Cortes was a conquistadore, or Spanish Conqueror,and his famous motto was "Conquer or die!" He was known for his ruthless slaughter of the Aztecs.
 * 4.Ferdinand Magellan-** Magellan was the first person to sail around the world in 1519-1521. He renamed the South Sea as the Pacific Ocean which meant peaceful. He was killed claiming the Philippine Islands for King Philip II of Spain.
 * 5.Henry Hudson-** Hudson was a famous English explorer who went to seek the Northwest Passage. He did not find one, but he did discover the Hudson River. Hudson claimed a lot of land for the Dutch.



**__Five Important Age of Explorations Terms:__**

 * **Columbian Exchange-** A trading of products, plants, animals, and diseases between the New and Old World. The New World gave potatoes, corn, turkeys, gold and silver while the Old World gave wheat, horses, guns, and small pox.
 * **Mercantilism-** A set of principles that dominated economic thought in the seventeenth century. According to mercantilists, the prosperity of a nation depended on a large supply of bullion.
 * **Balance of Trade-** The difference in value between what a nation imports and what it exports over time. When the balance is faborable, the goods exported are of greater value than those imported.
 * **Conquistadors-** Spanish conquerors of the Americas who brought guns to bring them success. One of the most important conquistadors was Hernan Cortes. He conqueered the Aztecs.
 * **Middle Passage-** The middle portion of the triangular trade route. The Middle Passage was used to transport slaves from Afirca to the Americas. This was not a good passage because many died on their journey.

Christopher Columbus This site shows where Columbus went one his first journey. It also explains that he did four journeys in all, not just the one that people know about. Henry Hudson This site explains Hudson's exploring career. It also explains that Hudson found the Hudson Bay as well as a strait. It tells of his journey for the Northwest Passage. Treaty of Tordesillas The Treaty of Tordesillas is showed in great detail on this site. It explains the issue, how it was resolved, and who got what land. Hernan Cortes This is a great site that explains Hernan's whole life from his early life, to his departure to the New World. It explains his great conquest of Mexico. Mercantilism This shows an in-depth view of Mercantilism. It explains that it is a economy policy that includes high taxes and banning the export of gold and silver.

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__**Age of Exploration Timeline.**__ **1441-** Portuguese start slave trade. **1492-** Columbus landed on San Salvador. **1494-** The Treaty of Tordesillas divided territory "New World" between Spain and Portugal. **1499-** Amerigo charted coastline of Central and South America. **1500-** Pedro Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal. **1507-** America was America by Martin Waldseemuile after Amerigo. **1510-** Admiral Albuquerque set up a stupping station to Spice Islands. **1521-** Hernan Cortes conquers the Aztec Empire in Mexico. **1521-** Ferdinand Magellan was the first to sail around the world. **1607-** First permanent English Settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.

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