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The Age of Exploration 2

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The Age of Exploration

The Age of Exploration led to the Columbian Exchange, a massive swap of plants, animals, and ideas between the Americas and Europe.

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Exploration

  • John Cabot was an Italian navigator who sailed for England, reaching the coast of North America in 1497.
    • Cabot’s exploration helped lay the foundation for England’s later colonial ambitions in the New World.
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Impact of Exploration

  • The Age of Exploration led to the Columbian Exchange, a massive swap of plants, animals, and ideas between the Americas and Europe.
    • Europeans were introduced to crops like tomatoes and maize, which became important in their diets.
    • The introduction of new goods led to increased trade and economic growth.
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Cultural Interactions

  • European explorers met diverse cultures, leading to both positive exchanges and devastating conflicts.
    • Many native societies were affected by European colonisation, facing displacement, disease, and cultural disruption.
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Technological Advancements

  • The need for better navigation tools and ships led to new inventions.
    • Tools like the astrolabe and the magnetic compass improved sailors’ ability to navigate.
  • Better ships, such as the caravel, allowed for longer and more ambitious voyages.
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The Mystery of El Dorado

  • A famous story from the Age of Exploration is the search for El Dorado, a mythical city of gold said to be in South America.
    • Many explorers, including Sir Walter Raleigh, went on dangerous journeys to find this legendary city.
  • Even though no one ever found El Dorado, the legend captured the imagination of many and symbolised the endless possibilities of the New World.
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Advantages and Challenges

  • The Age of Exploration brought many benefits, like new trade opportunities and the exchange of cultures and ideas.
    • However, it also had significant downstairs.
    • This includes the exploitation and suffering of indigenous populations and the spread of diseases that devastated entire communities.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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