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The 4 Motivations
Technology
Explorers
The Silk Road
100

This measurement was how sailors determined how far north or south they were from the equator.

what is latitude

100

This motivation drove explorers to search for valuable goods like gold, spices, and silk.

What is economic motivation

100

This magnetic tool helped sailors determine direction by pointing toward the North Pole.

What is a compass

100

This Italian explorer, sailing for Spain in 1492, is credited with reaching the Americas.

Who is Christopher Columbus

100

This country was the starting point of the Silk Road and the main producer of silk.

What is China

200

This concept refers to the exchange of ideas, technology, and religion between different cultures on the Silk Road

What is cultural exchange

200

European countries explored new lands to increase power, territory, and influence—this is known as this type of motivation

What is political motivation 

200

This instrument was used to measure the angle between the horizon and a star to determine latitude.

What is an astrolabe?

200

This explorer led the first expedition to successfully circumnavigate the globe, though he died during the journey.

Who is Ferdinand Magellan

200

These large desert animals were commonly used to carry goods across long distances.

What are camels

300

This highly desired group of goods from Asia included pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.

what are spices

300

This motivation included the desire to spread religion, especially Christianity, to other parts of the world

What is cultural motivation

300

This type of ship, developed by the Portuguese, was small, fast, and highly maneuverable for exploration.

What is a caravel

300

This Portuguese explorer found a sea route to India by sailing around Africa in 1498

Who is Vasco da Gama

300

This deadly disease spread along trade routes and caused millions of deaths in Europe.

What is the Black Death (plague)

400

The desire to spread this religion was a key motivation for many European explorers.

what is christianity

400

Wanting to find a faster route to Asia for trade would fall under this main type of motivation.

What is economic motivation

400

This tool improved upon earlier instruments and used mirrors to measure angles between celestial objects and the horizon

What is a sextant

400

This Italian explorer, sailing for England, explored parts of North America, including Newfoundland.

Who is John Cabot

400

This valuable metal, often traded from Europe and the Middle East, was exchanged for goods like silk and spices

What is gold

500

This product from China replaced more expensive materials for writing and spread westward.

What is paper

500

The closing or difficulty of overland routes to Asia pushed explorers to find sea routes—this is an example of this factor.

What is environmental motivation

500

Sailors used this tool, similar to the astrolabe, to measure the height of the sun above the horizon.

What is a cross-staff

500

This Spanish explorer conquered the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.

Who is Hernán Cortés

500

This region between Europe and Asia was a key trading area and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road.

What is the Middle East

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