Compass

Definition

A compass is a navigational instrument that shows the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) relative to the Earth's magnetic field. During the Age of Exploration, the compass was crucial for navigation, allowing sailors to determine their direction even when landmarks were not visible, thus enabling long sea voyages and the discovery of new lands.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The compass was introduced to Europe from China in the late 12th century and became widely used by European navigators in the 14th century.
2. With the compass, sailors could venture farther from shore, leading to more accurate and ambitious explorations of the world's oceans.
3. Compasses are typically magnetic and work by aligning a magnetized needle with Earth's magnetic field, providing a reliable means of finding direction.
4. The introduction of the compass facilitated significant voyages of discovery, such as those by Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, opening new trade routes and contacts with distant lands.
5. Navigational techniques improved dramatically with the use of the compass, contributing to European dominance in global trade during the Age of Exploration.

Review Questions

• How did the introduction of the compass change maritime navigation during the Age of Exploration?
  • The introduction of the compass revolutionized maritime navigation by providing sailors with a reliable tool to determine direction. This allowed explorers to travel further out to sea without losing their way, significantly enhancing their ability to explore unknown territories. As a result, expeditions became more ambitious and systematic, leading to important discoveries and establishing new trade routes across the globe.
• Discuss the impact of navigational tools like the compass on global trade during the Age of Exploration.
  • Navigational tools like the compass played a vital role in enhancing global trade during the Age of Exploration. By allowing explorers to navigate more accurately and efficiently, these tools facilitated longer voyages and greater contact between different cultures. As traders expanded their reach across oceans, they established new trade routes that connected Europe with Asia, Africa, and the Americas, dramatically increasing the exchange of goods, ideas, and resources.
• Evaluate how advancements in navigation technology, including the compass, influenced European imperial ambitions in distant lands.
  • Advancements in navigation technology, particularly the compass, significantly fueled European imperial ambitions by enabling more extensive and sustained exploration of distant lands. With reliable navigation tools at their disposal, European powers were able to launch expeditions that claimed vast territories overseas. This not only led to territorial expansion but also resulted in increased competition among European nations for dominance in global trade and colonization efforts, reshaping political boundaries and economic systems worldwide.

Related terms

Astrolabe: An ancient instrument used by navigators to measure the altitude of celestial bodies, helping in determining latitude at sea.

Caravel: A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century that was instrumental in maritime exploration.

Trade Routes: Established paths or channels through which goods and commodities were exchanged between different regions, significantly impacted by navigational advancements.