Causes of Exploration
Economic Systems
Environmental Impact
Comparison of Empires
Global Connections
100

European exploration increased after this empire disrupted traditional land routes to Asia in 1453.

Ottoman Empire

100

This economic system emphasized exporting more goods than importing.

Mercantilism

100

This disease killed millions of Indigenous Americans after European contact.

Small Pox


100

Portugal focused on building these along the African and Asian coasts.

Trading Posts

100

The Columbian Exchange connected these two hemispheres.

Eastern & Western Hemispheres

200

Europeans searched for new routes largely to obtain these luxury goods.

Spices

200

This agricultural system relied on enslaved labor in the Americas.

Plantation system

200

This animal introduced by Europeans transformed hunting and travel in the Americas.

The Horse

200

Spain conquered these two American empires in the 1500s.

Aztec and Inca Empires

200

This American crop helped increase populations in Europe and Asia.

Potato

300

Explorers hoped to spread this religion overseas.

Christianity

300

This Spanish labor system forced Indigenous people to work for colonists.

Encomienda system

300

This plantation crop caused increased slavery and environmental damage.

Sugar

300

Britain expanded trade in this South Asian empire through the East India Company.

Mugal Empire

300

This animal introduced by Europeans changed life for Plains Indigenous peoples.

Horse


400

This navigation tool helped sailors determine direction at sea.

Magnetic Compass

400

These companies allowed investors to fund overseas trade.

Joint-stock companies

400

Plantation farming often caused this environmental issue due to repeated use of the land.

Soil depletion

400

This Chinese dynasty restricted outside trade after the early voyages.

Ming Dynasty

400

This trade network connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Triangular Trade

500

This economic theory encouraged countries to gain wealth through colonies and trade.

Mercantilism

500

This economic shift toward global trade occurred in Europe during the 1500s and 1600s.

Commercial Revolution

500

This triangular trade system involved the movement of goods, enslaved people, and raw materials across three continents.

Columbian Exchange

500

These trading companies helped Europeans dominate trade in Asia.

East India Companies

500

This disease devastated Indigenous American populations.

Small Pox

600

Competition among European states for power, wealth, and land is known as this motive for exploration.

Imperialism / competition between European states

600

This triangular trade system involved the movement of goods, enslaved people, and raw materials across three continents.

Triangular Trade

600

This economic shift toward global trade occurred in Europe during the 1500s and 1600s.

The Columbian Exchange 

600

This economic policy encouraged European nations to control colonies and trade to increase national wealth.

Mercantialism

600

This global exchange moved plants, animals, diseases, and people between continents.

Columbian Exchange 

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