Age of Exploration

Definition

The Age of Exploration, spanning the 15th to the 17th centuries, was a period marked by European nations expanding their territories and trade routes through maritime exploration. This era was crucial for developing cartographic techniques, illustrating newly discovered lands, and influencing European science and culture through interactions with the New World. It led to significant advancements in navigation, cartography, and the scientific understanding of geography.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Exploration was driven by a quest for new trade routes, wealth, and the spread of Christianity.
2. Notable explorers like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan played key roles in discovering new lands and sea routes.
3. The era saw significant improvements in navigational tools, including the astrolabe and magnetic compass, aiding explorers in their journeys.
4. European maps became more detailed and accurate as new territories were charted, greatly influencing future exploration and trade.
5. The impact of New World discoveries led to a transformative exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Europe and the Americas, known as the Columbian Exchange.

Review Questions

• How did advancements in cartographic illustration techniques during the Age of Exploration change the way Europeans viewed geography?
  • Advancements in cartographic illustration techniques allowed for more detailed and accurate maps to be created, transforming European perceptions of geography. With improved representations of landmasses and ocean currents, explorers could navigate more efficiently. This new knowledge not only changed trade routes but also fueled further exploration as countries sought to expand their empires based on these newfound maps.
• In what ways did illustrations from the New World impact European science and culture during the Age of Exploration?
  • Illustrations from the New World brought back by explorers had a profound impact on European science and culture. They provided visual documentation of flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples, which sparked interest and curiosity among scientists and artists. This influx of information led to a greater understanding of global biodiversity and encouraged scientific study while also influencing art styles that depicted exotic landscapes and subjects.
• Evaluate how notable expedition artists contributed to our understanding of the Age of Exploration through their works and how this reflects broader trends in European society at the time.
  • Notable expedition artists like John White and Albert Eckhout provided invaluable visual records that enhanced understanding of newly encountered lands and peoples during the Age of Exploration. Their works reflect broader trends in European society such as curiosity about the natural world and a desire to document human diversity. These illustrations served both scientific purposes and fueled public imagination about distant lands, influencing art, literature, and even colonial policies as societies grappled with integrating these new discoveries into their worldview.

Related terms

Cartography: The art and science of map-making, which advanced significantly during the Age of Exploration, leading to more accurate representations of newly discovered territories.

Colonization: The process by which European powers established settlements and exerted control over foreign territories, profoundly impacting indigenous cultures and economies.

Scientific Revolution: A period in the 16th and 17th centuries characterized by significant developments in scientific thought, influenced by the discoveries made during the Age of Exploration.