Age of Discovery

Definition

The Age of Discovery refers to the period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers explored and mapped the world, leading to the establishment of maritime empires. This era was characterized by advancements in navigation, cartography, and the expansion of trade routes, fundamentally altering global interactions and cultural exchanges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Discovery is often marked by the voyages of explorers like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan, who opened new trade routes and connected distant lands.
2. Advancements in technology during this time, including better maps and navigational tools like the astrolabe, made long-distance sea travel possible.
3. European powers such as Spain, Portugal, England, and France competed for overseas territories, leading to the establishment of colonies around the world.
4. The Age of Discovery resulted in significant cultural exchanges between Europe and indigenous populations, leading to both positive interactions and devastating consequences like colonization and disease.
5. This era set the stage for globalization by establishing trade networks that connected Europe with Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in navigation during the Age of Discovery impact European exploration?
  • Advancements in navigation technology, such as the development of the caravel and improved cartography, significantly enhanced European exploration during the Age of Discovery. These innovations allowed explorers to travel farther and more safely across uncharted oceans. As a result, European nations were able to establish new trade routes and claim territories, leading to an era of intense competition for resources and land among maritime powers.
• Discuss how mercantilism influenced European powers' actions during the Age of Discovery.
  • Mercantilism played a crucial role in shaping European powers' actions during the Age of Discovery. This economic theory emphasized maximizing exports while minimizing imports to increase national wealth. As a result, countries sought to acquire colonies rich in resources to exploit for their economic gain. The pursuit of valuable commodities like gold, silver, spices, and sugar drove explorations that expanded empires and reshaped global trade patterns.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of cultural diffusion that occurred during the Age of Discovery on both Europe and indigenous societies.
  • The cultural diffusion that occurred during the Age of Discovery had profound long-term effects on both Europe and indigenous societies. For Europe, this period led to an influx of new goods, ideas, and knowledge from different parts of the world, enriching European culture and economy. Conversely, indigenous societies often faced devastating consequences such as disease epidemics brought by Europeans, loss of land, and cultural assimilation due to colonization efforts. This complex interaction laid the groundwork for modern global relations and continues to impact cultural identities today.

Related terms

Caravel: A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century that enabled longer voyages and more effective exploration.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasized the role of government in managing trade and commerce to increase national wealth, prevalent during the Age of Discovery.

Cultural Diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, which was accelerated during the Age of Discovery through exploration and colonization.