Checkpoint: Age of Exploration

What was the “Age of Exploration”?

• A time when Europe was invaded by Mongols
• A time when European nations explored unknown parts of the world
• A period when the Renaissance ended
• A time when all world maps were destroyed

What did Maria mean when she said “the world literally got smaller during this time”?

• The continents actually shrank in size
• People traveled only within their countries
• New global connections made distant places feel closer
• Maps began showing only Europe

Who were some key players during this time? What did they do?

• Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great - they sailed to Asia
• Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan – they explored new sea routes and lands
• Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo – they made maps
• George Washington and Abraham Lincoln – they discovered new lands

What negative is mentioned about this time period?

• It rained too much on voyages
• Explorers got lost and never returned
• Colonization and conflict with indigenous peoples
• No gold was ever found

What does the “Age of Exploration” have to do with the Renaissance?

• It happened before the Renaissance
• It was caused by war in the Renaissance
• Renaissance curiosity and innovation inspired exploration
• It ended the Renaissance completely

Why did explorers want to explore during this time? (What did they hope to gain?)

• Fame and free land
• Freedom from taxes
• Wealth, trade routes, and knowledge
• New clothing styles

Why did Chinese explorer Zheng He conduct his sea voyages?

• To conquer new territories
• To establish permanent colonies
• To show China's power and expand trade
• To find new agricultural lands

What was a key cultural motivation for exploration during this period?

• Spreading religious beliefs
• Gaining cultural dominance
• Learning new languages
• Collecting art

Which word best describes how the conquistadors treated the people they conquered?

• family
• cruelly
• generously
• indifferently

Why did the king of Spain want so much gold and land?

• He wanted to make conquistadors rich and powerful
• He wanted to dominate other European empires
• He wanted to impress female suitors
• He wanted to build expensive new palaces