4.1 Technological innovations
What type of ship, developed by the Portuguese, was fast and ideal for long voyages?
Caravel
What were the three main motivations for European exploration?
God, Gold, and Glory
What crop from the Americas became a staple in Europe?
Potatoes or maize
What is a maritime empire?
An empire based on sea power and overseas colonies
Which triangular sail allowed ships to sail more effectively against the wind?
Lateen sail
Which country led early exploration efforts along the African coast?
Portugal
What deadly disease was brought to the Americas by Europeans?
Smallpox
Which European country established control over the Philippines?
Spain
What tool helped sailors determine their latitude by measuring the stars?
Astrolabe
Who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492?
Spain
Name one animal introduced to the Americas through the Columbian Exchange.
Horses
What was the role of joint-stock companies in empire building?
They funded exploration and colonization with shared risk and profit
How did improved cartography help European explorers?
It provided more accurate maps for navigation
What was the Treaty of Tordesillas designed to do?
Divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal
How did the Columbian Exchange affect global populations?
It caused population growth in some areas and decline in others due to disease
What economic theory justified European colonization and trade control?
Mercantilism
Name one way the magnetic compass changed maritime exploration.
It allowed sailors to determine direction even when landmarks weren’t visible
How did Prince Henry the Navigator contribute to exploration?
He funded voyages and established a navigation school in Portugal
What was one negative environmental impact of the Columbian Exchange?
Deforestation or soil depletion due to plantation agriculture
Name one way European powers maintained control over their colonies.
Through military force, trade monopolies, or local alliances