Causes of the Age of Exploration: Guided Reading

Discover the driving forces behind the Age of Exploration!

Cause #1 : Read for the Main Idea!European kingdoms had traditionally traded with Asian cultures by way of the Silk Road. The Europeans traded on the Silk Road through the Ottoman Empire, and mostly over land. European kingdoms were looking to avoid Ottoman profiteers, and sail around them. The goal was to link themselves directly link to Silk Road trade centers in China, India, Japan. According to this passage, how did the Ottoman Empire play a role in motivating European exploration of new lands routes? Cause #1 : Drawing the Main IdeaEuropean kingdoms had traditionally traded with Asian cultures by way of the Silk Road. The Europeans traded on the Silk Road through the Ottoman Empire, and mostly over land. European kingdoms were looking to avoid Ottoman profiteers, and sail around them. The goal was to link themselves directly link to Silk Road trade centers in China, India, Japan. Use the Passage above, and your previous answer, to draw the "Cause," of the Age of Exploration that you described. Cause #2 - Reading for Main IdeaA second reason for the beginning of the Age of Exploration was the rise of absolute monarchies (kings in Europe. The powerful monarchs of Europe used their vast wealth to fund expeditions for many explorers. Their goal? Finding wealth (gold), expanding their kingdoms (glory), and doing so all in the name of Christianity (God)... According to this passage, how did royal Kings (monarchs) play a role in the Age of Exploration? What was their motivation? Cause #2 - Drawing the Main IdeaA second reason for the beginning of the Age of Exploration was the rise of absolute monarchies (kings in Europe. The powerful monarchs of Europe used their vast wealth to fund expeditions for many explorers. Their goal? Finding wealth (gold), expanding their kingdoms (glory), and doing so all in the name of Christianity (God)... Draw a summary of your previous answer, that encompasses how royalty contributed to the Age of Exploration, as well as identifying what their motivation was. Cause #3 - Reading for Main IdeaThird, Europeans had made some dramatic improvements in their navigational skill and technology that allowed early explorers to travel further and more accurately at sea. The Chinese invention of the magnetic compass rudder improved the ability to navigate. Also, new sails (lateen sails) allowed for better navigation and control Explain how the Chinese played a role in the Europeans successful exploration of "new," lands... Cause #3 - Drawing the Main IdeaThird, Europeans had made some dramatic improvements in their navigational skill and technology that allowed early explorers to travel further and more accurately at sea. The Chinese invention of the magnetic compass rudder improved the ability to navigate. Also, new sails (lateen sails) allowed for better navigation and control Draw your representation of how the Chinese (according to the passage) contributed to the European Age of Exploration. Cause #4 - Reading for Main IdeaThe final reason why the Age of Exploration began in the 1400’s, is because Europeans at the time were interested in foreign cultures and goods, particularly tea, salt, spices, and sugar. Furthermore, the Renaissance trade boom, which spread from Italy into Feudal Europe, engaged people with new cultural ideas. What were the primary foreign goods that were particularly interesting to Europeans, helped motivate the age of exploration? Cause #4 - Drawing the Main IdeaThe final reason why the Age of Exploration began in the 1400’s, is because Europeans at the time were interested in foreign cultures and goods, particularly tea, salt, spices, and sugar. Furthermore, the Renaissance trade boom, which spread from Italy into Feudal Europe, engaged people with new cultural ideas. Using your previous answer, and the passage, draw a representation of the goods that motivated exploration by European powers.