Age Of Exploration_Webquest

What kind of vessels did Zheng He sail aboard? Why was his fleet so impressive?

A Chinese treasure ship (a type of large wooden ship in the fleet of Admiral Zheng He, who led seven voyages during the early 15th-century Ming dynasty.) It was impressive because a single ship was roughly 400 feet long and had 7 masts.

What other name is attributed to the Age of Exploration? How long did it last?

Age of Discovery officially began in the early 15th century and lasted through the 17th century.

How could world history be different today if the Chinese Ming Emperors embraced exploration instead of isolation?

China either could have faced disaster by being attacked while vulnerable or have an extreme surplus in numerous different resources.

Where did Columbus arrive in the New World on his first journey?

Columbus set sail from Spain to find an all-water route to Asia. On October 12, more than two months later, Columbus landed on an island in the Bahamas that he called San Salvador; the natives called it Guanahani.

Did exploration end entirely at the end of the Age of Exploration?

Eastern Australia was not officially claimed for Britain by Capt. James Cook until 1770, while much of the Arctic and Antarctic were not explored until the 19th century. Much of Africa also was unexplored by Westerners until the early 20th centuries.

Why did Zheng He's voyages end?

First, the Yongle Emperor who sponsored Zheng He's first six voyages died in 1424. His son, the Yongle Emperor, was much more conservative and Confucianist in his thought, so he ordered the voyages stopped. In addition to political motivation, the new emperor had financial motivation. The treasure fleet voyages cost Ming China enormous amounts of money; since they were not trade excursions, the government recovered little of the cost. Lastly, during the reigns of the Hongle and Xuande Emperors, Ming China faced a growing threat to its land borders in the west. The Mongols and other Central Asian peoples made increasingly bold raids on western China, forcing the Ming rulers to concentrate their attention and their resources on securing the country's inland borders.

Why were Ferdinand and Isabella so keen on more exploration?

For the money and the promise of Catholic conversion of the natives. There were several reasons why King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella supported the voyage of Columbus. There was a belief that a shorter route to Asia existed. Spain had a strong interest in trading with Asia. The King and Queen of Spain sponsored Columbus because they believed Spain would benefit from his voyage

Upon his arrival in India, what did da Gama state he was looking for?

Gold and Catholics(conversions)

Why did Columbus call the people he met in the New World Indians?

He believes they were from Indonesia.

Why do we remember Columbus more than other more successful mariners?

He had the biggest effect on the world, even if it was more negative than positive.

How did Prince Henry help give Portugal a huge advantage in exploration?

He helped fund it.

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?

He is most famous for the voyages of discovery that he organised and financed, which eventually led to the roundinHenry the Navigator Prince Henry the Navigator (Dom Henrique) was the son of King João of Portugal, born in 1394.

How did Columbus get King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to fund his Expeditions?

He promised to bring back riches and mass Catholic conversion.

Who was Vasco da Gama?

He was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea.

Which nation was inspired by Portugal's success?

Henry the Navigator, "inspired by both religious and economic factors[9]", is an example of a private investor, promoting, leading, and financing Portuguese maritime exploration until his death.

What was da Gama's first major achievement?

His most significant accomplishment was sailing from Portugal to India in 1497. The Portuguese were looking for a water route to India. He left Portugal in 1497 and sailed south along the western coast of Africa.

What was the purpose of Zheng He's journeys?

His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 - 1433. However, most historians agree their main purpose was to promote the glory of Ming dynasty China.

How did the Portuguese under Prince Henry change navigation methods? What did this result in?

Methods of navigation and mapping improved as a result of the travels of people such as Prince Henry the Navigator. Prior to his expeditions, navigators had used traditional portolan charts, which were based on coastlines and ports of call, keeping sailors close to shore.

Why was Portugal motivated to explore?

Motives for Exploration - Wealth and Religion. The motives for Spanish, French and English explorers were all different, although, in some ways, they were the same. They all wanted to find the Northwest Passage, which they believed was a direct and efficient route to the Orient - home of spices, silks and wealth.

Was Zheng He considered an explorer?

No, because his voyage was mapped out for him(it was more of a trading journey).

How successful was Columbus in achieving his goals compared to de Gama and Zheng He?

Not very.

What kind of empire did Portugal establish? Why?

Portugal as a country was established during the Christian Reconquista against the Moors who had invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AD. ... He would later be proclaimed King of Portugal at the Battle of Ourique in 1139 and was recognized as such, by neighboring kingdoms, on the Treaty of Zamora, in 1143.

What was the Line of Demarcation, also known as the Treaty of Tordesillas?

Signed in Tordesillas, Spain, on June 7, 1494, the treaty established a line of demarcation that was 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands (already Portuguese).

What brought an end to the Age of Exploration?

The Age of Exploration ended in the early 17th century after technological advancements and increased knowledge of the world allowed Europeans to travel easily across the globe by sea. The creation of permanent settlements and colonies created a network of communication and trade, therefore ending the need to search for new routes.

Did the Portuguese establish their trade network peacefully?

The Portuguese forced small Asian people to extract spices and other goods, utilizing their superior warfare even thought they were small in numbers.

What did China begin spending its resources on instead of treasure ships? Why?

The new emperor took a new direction and decided to focus more on protecting China(The Great Wall of China), then building great ships.

How did Columbus calculate his route? How does this method work?

The speed of the ship, time and distance. He had to calculate time using an hourglass.

Would Spain benefit from exploration eventually?

They made Spain rich with the gold and silver they found in the Americas.

Why did European nations have to find a new route for the silk and spice trades in the mid-15th century?

When the Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453, it blocked European access to the area, severely limiting trade. In addition, it also blocked access to North Africa and the Red Sea, two very important trade routes to the Far East.