Unit 2 Review: The Age of Revolutions

The reasons for the earliest exploration of the world can be broken down as the search for a faster and safer way to the Far East. Europeans wanted spices, silks, porcelain, and gems from this far off place without having to travel the dangerous Silk Road.

Began in the early 15th century and lasted until the 17th century. Sometimes referred to as the “Age of Discovery”. The period is characterized as a time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods, and new trade routes.

The 3 G's

European countries wanted to expand their power and resources to new worlds. It can be broken up into the 3 G's. Having the most riches and resources (Gold) Conquering the most territories (Glory Spreading their religion to the most areas (God)

  From 1095-1492, Catholics tried to take the Holy Land from Muslims and bring it under Catholic control in the Crusades. Although Catholics did not gain control of territory in the Middle East for very long, Crusading gave Europeans a glimpse of the larger world that lay beyond their frontiers. In particular, Europeans learned that there was a great deal of spice trading the Indian Ocean.

 Europeans could only buy spices from Muslim traders. Catholic Europeans were appalled at the idea of giving money to these Muslim traders whom they regarded as infidels. Thus, Europeans wanted to find another route to the Indian Ocean. Spain and Portugal now controlled the entire peninsula. After 1491, Spain and Portugal both began funding exploration around the world.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P_euomdHOU click link below

Christopher Columbus is the explorer who is credited for discovering America. Of course, there were already people living in America at the time who we call Native Americans. There even was a European, Leif Ericsson, who had been to the Americas before. However, it was Columbus' voyage that started the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

The Columbian Exchange refers to a period of cultural and biological exchanges between the New and Old Worlds. Exchanges of plants, animals, diseases and technology transformed European and Native American ways of life.

Mercantilism is an economic policy that is designed to maximize the exports and minimize the imports for an economy