Explorers and Key Terms in History

Key Terms

• Exploration: Traveling to newly discovered areas to learn about them.
• Navigational: Related to planning and following a route.
• Circumnavigate: To travel completely around something (like Earth).
• Expansionism: Expanding a country's territory.
• Imperialism: Extending a nation's power through force or diplomacy.
• Immunity: Resistance to disease.
• Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence.
• Quipu: Inca system of knotted strings for recording information.
• Point of View: The perspective from which something is seen.
• Primary Source: Original materials from the studied time period.

Important Explorers

• Christopher Columbus: Discovered the Americas (believed 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, claiming Canada for France.
• Bartholomew Dias: First to round the 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 exploration of North America.
• Las Casas: Spanish missionary advocating for Indigenous rights.
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: Sponsored Columbus's voyage.
• Queen Elizabeth I: Supported English exploration.

Inventions

• Caravel: Small, fast, maneuverable ship used by Spanish and Portuguese explorers.
• Astrolabe: Tool to determine latitude using stars.
• Compass: Navigational instrument to determine direction.
• Cross-Staff: Tool to measure angles of celestial bodies for navigation.

Motivations for Exploration

• The 4 C's: Christianity (spreading religion), Commerce (expanding trade), Curiosity (discovering new lands), and Competition (rivalries between European powers).
• Sea Route to Asia: Gaining access to valuable goods (spices, silk).
• Trade Expansion: Overland trade routes disrupted; sea routes sought.
• Religious Expansion: Spreading Christianity.

Connections and Events

• Humanism and Exploration: Humanism encouraged curiosity and individual achievement, motivating exploration.
• Treaty of Tordesillas: Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.
• Perspectives on Columbus Day: Mixed; some celebrate discovery while others criticize harm to Indigenous peoples.
• Indigenous Perspective: Often viewed explorers as invaders causing disease, violence, and slavery.

Impact of Exploration

• Before Exploration Maps: Limited European knowledge, inaccurate maps with significant unknown areas.
• South American Exports: Gold, silver, tobacco, sugar, and later crops like potatoes & corn.
• New World Population Decrease: Caused by European diseases (like smallpox) and harsh treatment.
• Positive and Negative Results: Increased trade/cultural exchange, but also Indigenous exploitation, slavery, and environmental damage.