APEURO: Unit 1, Renaissance and Exploration - The Age of Exploration, Motives, Technology, Portuguese and Spanish Empires

Why This Matters

The Age of Exploration (15th-16th centuries) was a pivotal period in world history that shaped the modern global order. This era's expansion of European empires, driven by technological innovations and economic motivations, had far-reaching consequences for indigenous populations, global trade, and the balance of power. Understanding the Age of Exploration is crucial for grasping the complex dynamics of imperialism, cultural exchange, and the emergence of new world systems, all of which are central to the AP theme of Politics and Power.

Key Events & People

• Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460): Led the Portuguese exploration of West Africa, establishing trade routes and facilitating the development of maritime technology.
• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): Sponsored by the Spanish monarchs, Columbus's voyages to the Americas (1492-1504) opened the New World to European colonization.
• Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521): Led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe (1519-1522), demonstrating the feasibility of a sea route to Asia.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, establishing the principle of spheres of influence.
• The Portuguese Empire (1415-1975): Established a vast network of trade routes and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• The Spanish Empire (1492-1898): Expanded across the Americas, establishing colonies and exploiting indigenous resources.
• The Conquistadors (1519-1600s): Led by Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, these Spanish conquistadors conquered the Aztec and Inca empires.
• The Columbian Exchange (1492-1600s): The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds had a profound impact on global ecosystems.
• The Portuguese Navigation Act (1434): Encouraged the development of maritime technology and navigation techniques.
• The Spanish Main (16th-17th centuries): A region of the Caribbean and Central America under Spanish control, characterized by piracy and privateering.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The development of maritime technology, such as the caravel and astrolabe, enabled European explorers to traverse the Atlantic.
• Effect: The discovery of the Americas led to the establishment of Spanish and Portuguese colonies, which in turn facilitated the transfer of resources and ideas between the Old and New Worlds.
• Long-term consequence: The Columbian Exchange and the expansion of European empires had a profound impact on global ecosystems, leading to the decline of indigenous populations and the emergence of new global systems.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Imperialism*: The extension of a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
• *Spheres of influence*: The division of the world into areas of control and influence, as established by the Treaty of Tordesillas.
• *Conquistador*: A Spanish soldier or adventurer who conquered the Aztec and Inca empires.
• *Columbian Exchange*: The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
• *Caravel*: A lightweight, maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese.
• *Astrolabe*: An instrument used for navigation and astronomical observations.
• *Privateering*: The authorization of private ships to attack and capture enemy vessels.
• *Treaty of Tordesillas*: The agreement that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.
• *Portuguese Navigation Act*: A law that encouraged the development of maritime technology and navigation techniques.
• *Spanish Main*: A region of the Caribbean and Central America under Spanish control.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1492, not 1494.
• Correction: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed on June 7, 1494, in Tordesillas, Spain.
• What students often get wrong: The Portuguese Empire was established in the 15th century, but it was not a major power until the 16th century.
• Correction: The Portuguese Empire was established in 1415, but it was not a major power until the 16th century, when it expanded across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• What students often get wrong: The Spanish Empire was established in the 16th century, but it was not a major power until the 17th century.
• Correction: The Spanish Empire was established in 1492, but it was not a major power until the 17th century, when it expanded across the Americas and established a vast network of colonies.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the motivations behind European exploration and colonization in the 15th-16th centuries. Be sure to include specific examples from the Portuguese and Spanish empires.
  • Specific evidence: The writings of Prince Henry the Navigator, the Treaty of Tordesillas, and the accounts of Christopher Columbus.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Columbian Exchange on global ecosystems and indigenous populations. Be sure to include specific examples from the Americas and Europe.
  • Specific evidence: The accounts of Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, the writings of Bartolomé de las Casas, and the demographic data on indigenous populations.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the Portuguese and Spanish empires in the 15th-16th centuries. Be sure to include specific examples from their expansion, colonization, and trade networks.
  • Specific evidence: The Portuguese Navigation Act, the Treaty of Tordesillas, and the accounts of Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan.

Quick Self-Check

1. Who sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas?
   • Answer: The Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.
   • Explanation: Columbus's voyages were sponsored by the Spanish monarchs, who saw the potential for wealth and power in the New World.
2. What was the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas?
   • Answer: The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, establishing the principle of spheres of influence.
   • Explanation: The Treaty of Tordesillas marked a significant turning point in the history of European exploration and colonization, as it established the principle of spheres of influence and set the stage for the expansion of European empires.
3. What was the impact of the Columbian Exchange on global ecosystems?
   • Answer: The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on global ecosystems, leading to the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
   • Explanation: The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on global ecosystems, leading to the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds, which in turn had a significant impact on indigenous populations and global trade networks.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, not 1492.
• The Portuguese Empire was established in 1415, but it was not a major power until the 16th century.
• The Spanish Empire was established in 1492, but it was not a major power until the 17th century.
• The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
• The caravel was a lightweight, maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese.
• The astrolabe was an instrument used for navigation and astronomical observations.
• Privateering was the authorization of private ships to attack and capture enemy vessels.
• The Spanish Main was a region of the Caribbean and Central America under Spanish control.
• The Portuguese Navigation Act encouraged the development of maritime technology and navigation techniques.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.