Exploration and Imperialism Quiz

Key Terms

• Exploration: Traveling to new areas to discover and learn about them.
• Navigational: Related to planning and following a route.
• Circumnavigate: To travel completely around something, especially Earth.
• Expansionism: Expanding a country's territory.
• Imperialism: Extending a nation's power through diplomacy and/or military force.
• Immunity: Resistance to disease.
• Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence from colonial powers.
• Quipu: A system of knotted strings used to record information by the Incas.
• Point of View (POV): The perspective from which something is seen.
• Primary Source: Original materials from the time period being studied (documents, artifacts).

Notable Explorers

• Christopher Columbus: Discovered the Americas (thought he reached Asia).
• Ferdinand Magellan: Led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
• John Cabot: Discovered parts of North America (Newfoundland).
• Jacques Cartier: Explored the St. Lawrence River, claimed Canada for France.
• Bartholomew Dias: First to round the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope).
• Vasco da Gama: First to sail directly from Europe to India.
• Samuel de Champlain: Founded Quebec, key figure in French North American exploration.
• Las Casas: Spanish missionary, advocated for Indigenous rights.
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: Sponsored Columbus's voyage.
• Queen Elizabeth I: Supported English exploration & expansion.

Key Inventions

• Caravel: A small, fast, and maneuverable ship used by Portuguese and Spanish explorers.
• Astrolabe: Used by sailors to determine latitude based on the stars.
• Compass: Navigational instrument for determining direction.
• Cross-Staff: Used for measuring the angle of celestial bodies for navigation.

Driving Forces of Exploration

• 4 C's: Christianity (spread religion), Commerce (expand trade), Curiosity (discover new lands), Competition (rivalries between European powers).
• Sea Route to Asia: Europeans sought sea routes to Asia for direct access to spices, silk, and other valuable goods.
• Disrupted Trade Routes: The fall of the Mongol Empire and Constantinople disrupted overland trade routes, leading to the search for sea routes.
• Expansion of Religion: Europeans sought to spread Christianity and compete with Islam in Asia and Africa.
• Humanism Connection: Humanism promoted curiosity, individual achievement, and learning, contributing to exploration.

Treaty of Tordesillas

• Agreement between Spain and Portugal dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe.

Perspectives on Columbus Day

• Mixed views: Some celebrate Columbus for discovery, others criticize him for harm to Indigenous people.
• Indigenous Perspective: Viewed European explorers as invaders who brought disease, violence, and slavery.

Pre-Exploration World Knowledge

• Europeans had limited understanding of the world.
• Most maps were inaccurate with large unknown areas.

Resources & Impacts from South America

• Exported: Gold, silver, tobacco, sugar, crops (potatoes, corn).
• Population Decrease: Caused by European diseases (smallpox) and harsh treatment of Indigenous peoples.

Impacts of European Expansion

• Positive: Increased trade, cultural exchange.
• Negative: Exploitation of Indigenous people, slavery, environmental damage.