Social Studies Study Guide Questions

Which country had explorers who led expeditions into the lands of the Aztecs and Incas in North and South America? Who were these explorers?

Spain had explorers who led expeditions into the lands of the Aztecs and Incas. The explorers were Cortes and Pizarro.

What impact did Portuguese exploration have on the people of these continents? Africa Asia The Americas

• Africa After the native population of Brazil decreased, millions of Africans were brought to Brazil as slaves. • Asia The Portuguese seized the seaport of Goa in India and built forts there. In 1511, they attacked and killed all the people defending the main port of the Spice Islands. Portugal broke the hold that Muslims and Italians had on Asian trade. Prices of Asian goods dropped. • the Americas The Portuguese established colonies in Brazil and tried to convert the native people to Christianity. Native people were forced to work on sugar plantations. Many died from overwork or European diseases.

What contributions did each of these individuals make to early Spanish exploration? Christopher Columbus Ferdinand Magellan

• Christopher Columbus Columbus sailed west, not east, to find the easiest route to Asia. He landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea and claimed it for Spain. He found a world that was new to Europe. • Ferdinand Magellan Magellan also sailed west to find a route to Asia. He sailed around South America and eventually sailed to the Philippines. He died, but his crew continued and they were the first to circumnavigate the globe.

What impact did early Spanish exploration have on the people of these continents? Europe The Americas

• Europe Europeans learned of a new world and that it was possible to sail completely around the globe. Spain earned great wealth from settlements in the "New World." New crops were introduced to Europeans. • the Americas Many native peoples were forced to become Christians. They were also forced to work as slaves in mines or on plantations. Many died from overwork, European disease, or starvation.

What impact did later Spanish exploration and conquest have on the people of these continents? Europe The Americas

• Europe Spain rapidly expanded foreign trade and overseas colonization. It became one of the world's richest and most powerful countries. New crops were introduced and contributed to a population boom. Eventually, though, Spain's economy suffered from inflation and from wasteful spending. • the Americas New animals, like the horse, were introduced. At the same time, two advanced civilizations were destroyed. Many native people became laborers for the Spanish and millions died from European diseases.

What contributions did each of these individuals make to later Spanish exploration and conquest? Herman Cortes Francisco Pizzaro

• Hernan Cortes Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire and claimed its land and riches for Spain. • Francisco Pizarro Pizzaro kidnapped the Inca emperor, which led to the empire's downfall.

What contributions did each of these individuals make to the European exploration of North America? John Cabot Giovanni de Verrazano Henry Hudson

• John Cabot He landed in Canada and claimed it for England. • Giovanni de Verrazano His exploration of the North American coast gave France its first claims in the New World. • Henry Hudson He tried to find a northwest passage to Asia, but instead explored the Hudson River. Later, he explored Hudson Bay and claimed it for England.

What contributions did each of these individuals make to Portuguese exploration? Prince Henry Bartolomeu Dias Vasco De Gama Pedro Cabral

• Prince Henry "the Navigator" Prince Henry started a school of navigation where sailors and mapmakers could learn their trades. His cartographers made updated maps with new information. His expeditions also explored the west coast of Africa. • Bartolomeu Dias Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa. • Vasco da Gama Da Gama sailed to India and brought valuable spices back to Portugal. • Pedro Cabral Cabral sailed to present-day Brazil and claimed its lands for Portugal. In India, he established a trading post and signed a trading treaty.

Define the following terms associated with the commercial revolution in Europe: Capitalism Market Economy Cottage Industry Mercantilism

• capitalism Capitalism is an economic system based on investing money for profit. • market economy A market economy is a type of economy in which prices are determined by the buying and selling decisions of individuals in the marketplace. • cottage industry Cottage industry is a small-scale business in which people work mostly at home. • mercantilism Mercantilism is an economic policy by which nations try to gather as much gold and silver as possible by controlling trade and establishing colonies.

In what ways did the Age of Exploration help spur the commercial revolution in Europe?

As a result of exploration, more goods, raw materials, and precious metals entered Europe. Trade routes expanded. New centers of commerce developed.

By 1600, on which continents did Portugal claim or control territory or cities?

By 1600, Portugal had claimed territory or cities on South America, Africa, and Asia.

By 1600, on which continents did Spain claim territory?

By 1600, Spain had claimed territory on North America, South America, and Asia.

Which explorer was the first to sail to the east coast of South America? For which European country did he sail?

Cabral was the first explorer to sail to the east coast of South America. He sailed for Portugal.

Which explorer was the first to sail to what are today the Caribbean Islands, between North and South America? For which European country did he sail?

Columbus was the first explorer of this period to explore the islands between North and South America. He sailed for Spain.

Which explorer was the first to establish a sea route to Asia? For which European country did he sail?

Da Gama established the first sea route to Asia. He sailed for Portugal.

Which European countries during this period sent explorers to North America's east coast? Name three of these explorers.

England, France, and the Netherlands sent explorers to North America's east coast. Among them were Cabot, sailing for England; da Verrazano, sailing for France; and Hudson, sailing for both England and the Netherlands.

What were some key motives for Europeans during the Age of Exploration?

Europeans were interested in spices from Asia, but Muslims and Italians controlled the trade routes from Asia to Europe. People were also looking for new knowledge, wealth, fame, and adventure. Nations wanted to claim new lands and riches for themselves. A final motive was the desire to spread Christianity.

Which advance do you think was the most important? Why?

I think the astrolabe is the most important advancement because it helped sailors figure out where they where and where they needed to go.

Which explorer was the first to lead a voyage that eventually went around the world? For which European country did he sail?

Magellan was the first explorer to lead a voyage that eventually went around the world. He sailed for Spain.

What key advances in knowledge and technology allowed Europeans to explore these new areas?

One key advance was in cartography, or mapmaking. Europeans began to view the Earth as a sphere. Navigation was made easier with new maps and tools. There were also improvements made to the design of ships and weapons.

Which motive do you think was the strongest for encouraging European exploration? Why?

The want to have more trade routes to Asia was the most important because Asia had many goods and spices that were important to Europe.

What impact did the European exploration of North America have on the people of Europe?

Trading posts were established in North America. Europeans traded for fish, otter skins, whale oil, and beaver and fox furs. English exploration contributed to a war between England and Spain.